For utility contractors, industrial teams, and public works crews across New England, confined space entry is often a routine part of the job. Workers may need to enter manholes, vaults, pump stations, access doors, tanks, pits, and other below-grade structures where safe entry and retrieval planning are critical.

One of the most common planning mistakes is assuming that one entry and retrieval system can work for every confined space. In reality, the safest option depends on the shape of the opening, available clearance, surrounding obstructions, suspended load, rescue plan, and work being performed inside the space.

Tripods, davit systems, and gantries can all support confined space entry and non-entry retrieval when used correctly. The key is knowing when each system is appropriate and when another option may provide safer, more practical access.

Quick Answer: Which Confined Space Entry System Should You Use?

The right system depends on the jobsite conditions:

• Use a tripod for standard vertical entries through centered, unobstructed openings, such as manholes in flat pavement.
• Use a davit system when the entry point is offset, near a wall, behind a curb, or blocked by a railing or guardrail.
• Use a gantry system for large, irregular, or wide openings where a broader span and more flexible anchor point are needed.

The confined space should define the system. A system that works well for a clean manhole entry may not be appropriate for a vault hatch, trench, or obstructed access point.

Why Confined Space Entry Equipment Selection Matters

Confined spaces are not only defined by atmospheric hazards. They are also defined by access, geometry, movement, and rescue limitations. A safe system must support the entrant, retrieval equipment, and potential rescue needs while keeping the load properly positioned.

Before choosing a tripod, davit, or gantry, supervisors should consider:

• The size and shape of the opening
• Whether the entry point is centered or offset
• Overhead clearance
• Ground conditions and footing stability
• Nearby walls, curbs, railings, traffic, or obstructions
• Total suspended load, including the worker, PPE, tools, mud, water, and equipment
• Whether the system is being used for entry, retrieval, rescue, or material handling
• The crew’s training and familiarity with the equipment

Choosing the wrong system can create unnecessary hazards, including side loading, unstable footing, edge contact, equipment interference, or limited rescue access.

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Tripods for Confined Space Entry

Tripods are one of the most recognizable and commonly used confined space entry systems. They are often the fastest option to deploy and are well suited for vertical entry through clean, unobstructed openings.

A tripod is typically used over a round manhole or similar opening where the entrant remains centered beneath the anchor point.

When Tripods Work Best

Tripods work best when the opening is:

• Round or symmetrical
• Flush with pavement or concrete
• Free of nearby obstructions
• Centered within the tripod legs
• Located on stable, level ground

With three legs evenly positioned around the opening, the load path stays vertical. This helps reduce side loading on winches, lifelines, and connection points.

Strengths of Tripod Systems

Tripods are commonly used because they are:

• Familiar to many confined space crews
• Relatively lightweight and portable
• Quick to inspect and set up
• Effective for straight vertical entry
• Practical for standard manhole work

Many standard tripod systems are rated for a working load of approximately 310 to 350 pounds for personnel support and retrieval. Some heavy-duty tripod models may offer higher working load ratings, but they are usually larger, heavier, and less portable.

Supervisors should always account for the full suspended load, not just the worker’s body weight. PPE, boots, tools, retrieval devices, mud, and water can all add weight and affect system selection.

Limitations of Tripod Systems

Tripods are not always the best option. They require enough room around the opening and enough overhead clearance to be erected safely.

Tripods may create challenges in:

• Traffic zones
• Narrow sidewalks
• Mechanical rooms
• Areas with sloped or uneven ground
• Locations with damaged pavement or concrete
• Entries near walls, curbs, guardrails, or other obstructions

A tripod can also become unstable if the suspended load moves outside the tripod’s footprint. If the opening is offset or the lifeline rubs against an edge, the system may no longer provide safe or efficient retrieval.

Best Applications for Tripods

Tripods are often best for:

• Standard manholes in flat pavement
• Vertical confined space entries where the worker remains centered
• Sites with enough room to safely manage tripod legs
• Short-duration entries where quick setup is important

Tripods are simple and familiar, but they are not foolproof. Crews still need proper training on load position, footing conditions, equipment inspection, and rescue planning.

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Davit Systems for Confined Space Entry and Rescue

Davit systems are often the better choice when a tripod does not fit the jobsite. A davit system uses an offset arm to position the anchor point over the opening while the base sits to one side.

This makes davits especially useful when the entry point is not centered or when obstructions prevent proper tripod placement.

When Davit Systems Work Best

A davit system may be the right choice when crews are working around:

• Curbs
• Parapets
• Railings
• Guardrails
• Wall-adjacent openings
• Vault access doors
• Rectangular hatches
• Obstructed manholes

Because the base can sit away from the opening, a davit system can provide better access while keeping the anchor point properly positioned.

Strengths of Davit Systems

Davit systems offer greater flexibility than most tripods. Depending on the configuration, they may connect to different bases or support points, including portable bases, fixed mounts, trailer hitch mounts, road plates, or barrier-style systems.

Key advantages include:

• Better control over offset access points
• Cleaner work zones around the opening
• Fewer tripod-leg trip hazards
• More setup options for difficult sites
• Improved access near walls, curbs, and structural obstructions

Davit systems are also useful when crews need to keep the immediate area around the opening more open for attendants, tools, barricades, or traffic control.

Important Rating Considerations for Davits

Davit systems may have different ratings depending on how they are being used. A system may be rated one way for entry and egress, and another way for retrieval or rescue.

For example, some configurations may allow one worker at a specific weight rating for entry, while rescue ratings may account for two workers or assisted retrieval. Supervisors must confirm the rating that applies to the specific task, setup, base, and manufacturer instructions.

Limitations of Davit Systems

The added flexibility of a davit system comes with more complexity. Davits typically involve more components, more weight, and a more detailed setup process than tripods.

Crews must understand:

• Proper base selection
• Correct assembly
• Pin and mast placement
• Load ratings
• Offset limitations
• System inspection
• Application limits

If the base cannot be seated, mounted, or secured properly, the system should not be used. Davits can be an excellent solution, but they require more procedural control and a higher level of crew training.

Best Applications for Davit Systems

Davit systems are often best for:

• Vault access doors
• Wall-adjacent openings
• Manholes near curbs or guardrails
• Rectangular hatches
• Sites where tripod leg placement is impractical
• Work zones where keeping the opening area clear is important

For contractors who frequently encounter awkward access points, a davit system may be a safer and more practical option than forcing a tripod into a setup it was not designed to handle.

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Gantry Systems for Confined Space Entry

Portable gantry systems are often used when the opening or work area is too wide, irregular, or congested for a tripod or davit system. While gantries may require more planning, they can provide a safer and more flexible solution for complex confined space work.

When Gantry Systems Work Best

A gantry may be appropriate when crews are working with:

• Large rectangular hatches
• Vault doors
• Trenches
• Wide access areas
• Irregular openings
• Below-grade work areas
• Repetitive or long-duration entries

Gantries are designed to span larger openings while keeping the perimeter more open and accessible.

Strengths of Gantry Systems

Gantry systems provide broad coverage and a flexible overhead anchor point. With adjustable spans and trolley options, the anchor point can often be positioned directly over the entrant without moving the entire structure.

Key advantages include:

• Ability to span larger or irregular openings
• More open access around the perimeter
• Adjustable anchor positioning
• Options for trolleys, pulleys, and multiple anchor points
• Support for personnel and certain equipment-handling needs, depending on the system
• Greater flexibility for long-duration or repetitive confined space work

Gantries may also support higher loads than many tripod or davit systems, depending on the specific configuration and rating. Personnel-rated use, goods lifting, and rescue use must always be confirmed against the manufacturer’s instructions.

Limitations of Gantry Systems

The main drawbacks of gantry systems are size, storage, transportation, and planning. A gantry may require more truck space, more setup time, and more coordination before the job begins.

Crews also need proper training on:

• Assembly and inspection
• Span adjustment
• Trolley use
• Load positioning
• Personnel ratings versus material-handling ratings
• Stability requirements
• Rescue planning

A gantry can be the safest and most defensible choice for certain jobsite conditions, but it should not be treated as a simple replacement for a tripod.

Best Applications for Gantry Systems

Gantry systems are often best for:

• Large or irregular confined space openings
• Trenches and wide access areas
• Jobs that require clear perimeter space
• Repeated entries at the same location
• Work requiring flexible anchor positioning
• Sites where tripods and davits cannot safely fit the access point

When the opening is too wide, too irregular, or too congested, a gantry may be the best match for the work.

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Tripod vs. Davit vs. Gantry: How to Compare Your Options

Choosing the right confined space entry system should be part of the pre-entry planning process. Supervisors and competent persons should evaluate the site before crews begin work.

Use This Comparison as a Starting Point

System	Best For	Main Advantage	Key Limitation
Tripod	Standard manholes and centered vertical entries	Fast setup and familiar use	Requires centered load and enough room for legs
Davit System	Offset openings, vaults, and obstructed entries	Better access around curbs, walls, and railings	More components and setup requirements
Gantry System	Large, wide, or irregular openings	Flexible span and anchor positioning	Requires more planning, space, and transport

Questions to Ask Before Selecting a System

Before choosing a tripod, davit, or gantry, ask:

• Is the opening centered, offset, wide, or irregular?
• Is there enough room around the opening for the system?
• Will the lifeline remain vertical and free from edge contact?
• What is the total suspended load?
• Does the system rating match the task being performed?
• Is the system rated for personnel use, rescue use, material handling, or all applicable needs?
• Can the base, legs, or supports be secured properly?
• Are there traffic, barricade, or work-zone control concerns?
• Has the crew been trained on this specific setup?
• Does the rescue plan match the equipment being used?

These questions help determine whether the planned setup is truly appropriate for the confined space.

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One Confined Space Entry System Rarely Fits Every Job

For utility contractors and industrial teams, the takeaway is simple: the confined space should define the system, not the other way around.

A tripod may be ideal for a standard manhole in open pavement, but it may be inadequate for a vault door behind a guardrail. A davit may solve offset access issues, but it may not provide enough span for a larger opening. A gantry may seem excessive at first, but it may be the safest choice when the work area is wide, irregular, or congested.

Having access to more than one type of confined space entry system is not unnecessary redundancy. It is preparedness.

The ability to match the right equipment to the actual space, suspended load, and rescue scenario helps create a safer operation, a smoother workflow, and a stronger justification for decisions made in the field.

Confined Space Entry and Rescue Training in New England

Industrial Safety & Rescue provides hands-on confined space training for industrial, commercial, municipal, and utility teams. Our training helps supervisors, attendants, entrants, and rescue personnel better understand confined space hazards, entry procedures, retrieval systems, and rescue planning.

If your team performs confined space work in manholes, vaults, tanks, pump stations, pits, or other below-grade structures, proper planning and training are essential.

Need help preparing your team for safer confined space entry? Contact Industrial Safety & Rescue to learn more about confined space entry and rescue training.