WATER INDUSTRY SAFETY SOLUTIONS
Safety Built for
Australia's Water Sector
From treatment plants and pump stations to dam infrastructure and pipeline works — SpanSet delivers certified height safety, confined space, and lifting solutions engineered for wet, corrosive, and high-risk water environments.
PURPOSE-BUILT FOR THE FIELD
Water Sector Safety Demands More
Working in and around water infrastructure presents a distinct combination of hazards — confined space entry, height access over open water, wet and slippery surfaces, and the physical demands of remote or time-pressured works. Off-the-shelf safety equipment isn't enough.
SpanSet Australia has developed and sourced a suite of products specifically suited to the needs of water authorities, civil contractors, and maintenance crews working across:
✓ Water treatment and wastewater facilities
✓ Pump stations and wet wells
✓ Dams, weirs, and reservoirs
✓ Desalination plants
✓ Stormwater and drainage infrastructure
✓ Pipeline maintenance and civil water projects
STANDARDS
AS/NZS Compliant
All products referenced to applicable Australian and international standards. Compliance documentation available on request.
LOCAL MANUFACTURER
Australian-Owned
& Operated
SpanSet has manufactured height safety equipment in Emu Plains, NSW since 1967. Not imported and relabelled — built here.
RTO 91173
Certified Training
Nationally recognised training in height safety, confined space entry, and load restraint — delivered at our facility or on-site.
PRODUCT RANGES
The Right Equipment for Every Water Industry Task
Select a category to explore the product range
HEIGHT SAFETY CONFINED SPACE LIFTING & RIGGING LOAD CONTROL
HEIGHT SAFETY
Water industry workers regularly access elevated platforms, gantries, open channels, and structures where fall protection is non-negotiable. SpanSet's height safety range includes harnesses, self-retracting lanyards, and anchor systems designed to perform in wet conditions and confined geometries.
ERGO Waterworks Harness
Designed for use in and around water — including wading, boat-based access, and maintenance work near open water. Features quick-release buckles for rapid water egress, a rescue lift loop, and a body-worn fit that accommodates buoyancy aids and wetsuits.
ERGOiPLUS Harness
SpanSet's flagship work positioning harness for elevated access on structures, platforms, and gantries at water facilities. Ergonomically designed for all-day wear with high-visibility options available.
Safety Lanyards
Fast-arresting safety lanyards for leading-edge and overhead anchor applications. Rated for high-force arrest and compatible with dorsal and chest-sternal anchor points on SpanSet harnesses.
CONFINED SPACE
Pump stations, wet wells, manholes, and storage tanks are among the most hazardous confined space environments in Australian industry. Proper entry and rescue capability is a legislative requirement — and a life-safety imperative.
Gotcha Rescue Kit
SpanSet's own invention — the Gotcha™ is a compact, single-operator rescue device that allows a surface attendant to extract a collapsed or incapacitated worker from a confined space without entering. Used by water utilities across Australia.
Tripod Systems
Portable, adjustable tripods providing vertical anchor support over confined space entry points including manholes and access hatches. Compatible with Gotcha™ rescue kits and rated winch systems.
Xtirpa Davit Arm Systems
Modular davit arm systems for fixed installation at pump stations, treatment plant access points, and infrastructure requiring repeated confined space entry. Engineered for load-rated, permanent anchor solutions.
Self-Retracting Lifeline with Recovery Winch
Built for confined space, tank, and utility entry. This dual-function device features an integrated winch for instant, single-pin worker recovery without external gear. Mounts to tripods and davits for direct-line recovery.
LIFTING & RIGGING
Water infrastructure works involve lifting heavy plant, pipes, pumps, and components — often in tight, access-restricted environments. SpanSet's lifting range is built for precision and compliance.
Magnum Plus Round Slings
High-performance polyester round slings rated to Australian Standards. Suitable for lifting pump assemblies, pipe sections, and infrastructure components. Available in a range of WLL configurations.
Synthetic Web Slings
Flat web slings for general rigging at water facility construction and maintenance sites. Lightweight, non-marring, and corrosion-resistant — suited to stainless or coated infrastructure.
Exoset Lifting Clamps
Purpose-built for multi-directional lifting, turning, and vertical transfer of steel plates and pipe flanges. Features a hinged hoisting eye to eliminate side-loading, clear WLL indicators, and capacities from 0.5t to 6t.
FEATURED PRODUCT
Xtirpa Davit Arm Systems
The Xtirpa modular davit arm system is SpanSet's primary recommendation for water industry clients requiring permanent, engineered access to confined spaces. Designed for installation at pump stations, treatment plant access points, wet wells, and any infrastructure with repeat-entry requirements — Xtirpa removes the need to erect and dismantle portable tripods every time a crew enters.
The system is modular by design. A single base installation can support multiple arm configurations, meaning one anchor point can serve different access geometries across a facility. It is load-rated, compliant with confined space legislation, and engineered to accommodate both personnel retrieval and rescue winch attachment.
SYSTEM TYPE
Modular Davit Arm
APPLICATION
Confined Space Entry & Rescue
CONFIGURATION
Multiple Arm Options Per Base
INSTALLATION
Permanent / Fixed Base
SYSTEM TYPE
Winch, SRL & Gotcha Rescue Kit
COMPLIANCE
Load-Rated to As/NZS Standards
Pump Stations
Permanent base installation over wet well or pump access — no setup time, compliant every entry.
Treatment Plants
Fixed davit arms at tank, sump, and underground plant room entry points across the facility footprint.
Water Authorities
Standardised system across council infrastructure — consistent rescue capability at every site.
Maintenance Contractors
Works on client-owned Xtirpa bases using compatible rescue kits and winch attachments.
USE CASES
Where SpanSet Works in the Water Sector
Water Treatment Plants
Height access to filtration decks, clarifiers, and chemical dosing structures. Confined space entry into tanks, sumps, and underground plant rooms. Permanent davit and anchor installations for routine maintenance access.
Pipeline Works & Civil Projects
Trench and excavation safety for water main installation. Lifting and rigging of pipe sections and fittings. Load restraint for fleet transport between civil sites.
Pump Stations & Wet Wells
Confined space entry compliance with tripod and Gotcha™ rescue setup. Waterworks harness with quick-release for wet well access. Lifting of pump assemblies with rated round slings.
Desalination & Industrial Plants
Corrosion-resistant equipment specifications for high-salinity environments. Height safety and confined space solutions for large-scale plant environments. Engineered anchor and davit systems for complex facility layouts.
Dam & Reservoir Infrastructure
Height safety on spillways, walkways, and retaining structures. SRL and harness systems for inspectors and maintenance crews. Load control for plant access in remote locations.
Local Government & Water Utilities
Standing supply arrangements and volume pricing for councils and utilities. Compliance documentation and AS/NZS standard references provided. RTO-delivered training for field teams and supervisors.
RTO 91173
Train Your Team to the Standard
Owning the right equipment is only part of the obligation. Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and applicable codes of practice, workers entering confined spaces or working at heights must be trained and competent before they step on site.
Working Safely at Heights
Confined Space Entry & Rescue
Load and Secure Cargo (Transport & Logistics)
Training is delivered at our Emu Plains facility and can be arranged on-site for water utility clients with existing teams and infrastructure.
RTO
91173
REGISTERED TRAINING ORGANISATION
Nationally recognised units delivered by industry professionals — not classroom theory. SpanSet trainers bring decades of real-world height safety and confined space experience.
1967
SINCE
Supplying height safety and lifting equipment across Australian industry for over 55 years.
RTO
91173
Nationally recognised training delivered from Emu Plains, NSW — and on-site across Australia.
100%
AUSTRALIAN MADE
Harnesses manufactured in Australia. SpanSet also invented the first Gotcha™ Rescue Kit.
AS/NZS
REFERENCED
Every product referenced to current
Australian and international standards,
with documentation available.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common Questions About Water Industry Safety Equipment
What harness is best for working near or over water in Australia?
For workers operating in close proximity to water — including boat-based access, wading, or work near open channels — a quick-release harness designed for aquatic environments is required. The SpanSet ERGO Waterworks Harness includes quick-release buckles for rapid water egress, a rescue lift loop, and a cut profile that accommodates buoyancy aids. Standard work positioning harnesses are not suitable for over-water work.
What equipment is required for confined space entry in a pump station or wet well?
Confined space entry in water infrastructure typically requires: a rated tripod or davit anchor system positioned over the entry point, a rescue retrieval device (such as the SpanSet Gotcha™ Rescue Kit or the Saverline SRLR S self-retracting lifeline with integrated recovery winch), a full-body harness with dorsal D-ring attachment, and a non-entry rescue capability for the surface attendant. Atmospheric monitoring equipment is also required under the Confined Spaces Code of Practice. Entry should only be conducted by trained and competent personnel.
Do SpanSet products meet Australian Standards for the water industry?
Yes. SpanSet height safety and lifting products are designed and tested to applicable Australian and international standards including AS/NZS 1891 (Industrial Fall Arrest Systems) and AS 4991 (Harnesses). Product documentation includes applicable standard references and compliance data for each product line.
Can SpanSet supply permanent anchor and davit systems for water treatment plants?
Yes. SpanSet supplies and can specify the Xtirpa modular davit arm system for permanent installation at confined space entry points, elevated access structures, and maintenance platforms in water treatment facilities. Xtirpa systems are engineered for load-rated, repeat-use applications and can be configured to suit specific access geometries.
Does SpanSet provide training for water industry personnel?
SpanSet Australia is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO 91173) and delivers nationally recognised training in height safety, confined space entry, and load restraint. Training is available at our Emu Plains facility or can be arranged on-site for water utilities and councils with suitable facilities.
How do I select the right lifting sling for water industry applications?
Sling selection depends on the load weight, geometry, lift points, and environment. For most water industry plant lifting — pumps, valves, pipe sections — polyester round slings such as the SpanSet Magnum Plus are suitable. They are non-marring and corrosion-resistant, making them well-suited to stainless and coated infrastructure. For guidance on working load limits and rigging configurations, contact SpanSet's product team for a specification review.
GET IN TOUCH
Ready to Specify Equipment for Your Water Project?
Whether you're outfitting a water authority fleet, specifying for a new treatment
plant, or seeking compliant confined space entry solutions for a pump station —
our team can assist with product selection, compliance documentation, and on-site training.
CONTACT OUR TEAM DOWNLOAD CAPABILITIES BROCHURE