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Confined Space Entry & Rescue Equipment
A confined space is an enclosed or partially enclosed area that isn’t designed for people to occupy, has restricted entry or exit, and can put workers at risk from a hazardous atmosphere, engulfment, or entrapment. Manholes, pits, tanks, sewers, pump wells, and deep or covered excavations all commonly qualify. Working in one safely takes the right combination of access, atmospheric monitoring, fall protection, and rescue equipment, set up before anyone enters. United Rentals supplies that full range across civil, water, energy, and industrial sites, backed by engineering support and equipment certified to the relevant Australian Standards.
When do you need confined space equipment?
You need confined space entry and rescue equipment any time a worker has to enter a space classed as a confined space. In practice that covers:
- Entering manholes, pits, wells, or chambers for utility, water, or telecommunications work
- Working inside tanks, silos, vessels, or pipelines during cleaning, inspection, or maintenance
- Deep or covered excavations where the atmosphere can’t freely circulate
- Any space where atmospheric testing, a written entry permit, or a standby person is required under your safe work method statement
Whether a given space is a confined space is decided by a risk assessment against the definition in Australian law. If you need to work out whether your trench, excavation, or chamber qualifies, our what counts as a confined space guide walks through the test. This page covers the equipment once you know you need it.
How confined space entry works
Safe confined space entry is built in layers, and most jobs need equipment from each:
- Atmospheric monitoring. A calibrated gas detector tests the air before entry and continuously during the work, checking oxygen, flammable gases (LEL), and toxic gases such as hydrogen sulphide and carbon monoxide.
- Ventilation. A confined space ventilation fan supplies fresh air and clears hazardous gases, fumes, and contaminants from the space.
- Access and anchorage. A tripod, gantry, or davit arm provides the overhead anchor point for raising and lowering a worker, and the fixed point for fall protection.
- Fall protection. A full-body harness, fall arrest block, and spreader bar keep the worker connected to the anchor throughout entry and exit.
- Rescue. A retrieval winch, rescue stretcher, and escape device let a standby person recover an entrant without entering the space themselves.
Tripod vs davit arm vs gantry: which anchor do you need?
This is the question most people arrive with, so here’s the direct answer:
- Tripod. The standard choice for a vertical entry over a manhole or pit. Legs position over the opening; winches and a retractable line mount to the head. Best where you have clear ground around the opening and a straight vertical drop.
- Davit arm. A single offset arm on a base or sleeve, used where a tripod won’t fit, where the entry is against a wall, or where it integrates with a shoring box. United Rentals’ davit arm is rated to 136kg with a 24m cable and is compliant to AS 1891.4:2009. A trailer hitch mount variant turns a vehicle into the anchor point where no fixed mount is available.
- Portable gantry. A wheeled A-frame with adjustable beam height (1.81–2.865m) and 3.5m or 4m beam configurations, available with single or dual winch setups. Used over larger or non-standard openings, on uneven ground, or where loads as well as personnel need lifting. Suits excavations and trenches rather than tight manholes.
Quick rule: tripod for a clear vertical manhole, davit for tight or wall-side entries and shoring integration, gantry for larger openings and uneven ground. Our team can confirm the right anchor for your site.
Confined space standards and WHS compliance in Australia
- Confined space work in Australia is governed by the model WHS Regulations (Part 4.3 Confined spaces) and the Confined Spaces Code of Practice.
- AS 2865 Confined spaces is the principal standard for safe working in confined spaces.
- Fall arrest harnesses and systems are covered by AS/NZS 1891.1 (harnesses) and AS/NZS 1891.4 (selection, use and maintenance).
- United Rentals equipment is maintained and certified to the relevant Australian Standards, with inspection records available on hire.
Specifications
Equipment | Key spec | Link |
|---|---|---|
Davit Arm | 136kg capacity, 24m cable | |
Davit Arm Trailer Hitch Mount | vehicle-mounted anchor variant | |
Heavy Duty Tripod | 350kg WLL, 1.86m standard / 2.7m extended height | |
Portable Gantry 3m / 3.3m | 3.5–4m beam length, 1810–2865mm adjustable height, single or dual winch configurations | |
Confined Space Gas Detector | 5-gas including VOC; calibration certificate, 240V charger, bump test kit | |
Essential Safety Harness | full-body | |
Fall Arrest Blocks 6m + 12m | 140kg rated load | |
CSE Vent Fan | 300mm, 240V electric | |
Roll Rescue Stretcher | 350kg horizontal / 250kg vertical load limit; PVC/polypropylene construction | |
ELSA Escape Kit | escape breathing apparatus; ~15 min duration (varies with user's breathing rate) |
Common applications
Confined space entry and rescue equipment is hired across:
- Water and wastewater: manhole and pump station entry, sewer and pipeline maintenance
- Civil and utilities: deep excavation, service pits, telecommunications and power chambers
- Industrial and energy: tank, vessel, and silo cleaning, inspection, and shutdown work
- Building and infrastructure: lift pits, basements, and voids during construction
