Introducing the Hydrajaws Davit Arm System – A Safer, Testable Solution for Working at Height

Hydrajaws Davit Arm Tester: A Smarter Approach to Davit Post Testing and LOLER Compliance

Working at height brings inherent risks. Whether you’re managing roof access, façade maintenance or confined space rescue, reliable anchorage is not optional. That’s where a high-quality davit arm system becomes essential, providing a stable, safe and versatile anchor point in situations where traditional fall protection is not practical.

But installing a davit system is only part of the picture. Knowing it will perform under load when a life depends on it is another matter entirely. That’s why Hydrajaws has developed the Davit Arm Tester, a purpose-built solution for verifying davit posts with speed, precision and full digital traceability.

What is a Davit Arm System?

A davit arm system is a mechanical anchorage and access device used to provide a secure connection point for fall protection, rope access, rescue operations and more. Typically installed at roof edges, parapets or other elevated structures. It allows operatives to connect safely and carry out work in areas that would otherwise be difficult to reach.

Davit systems are widely used across industries from commercial building maintenance and industrial plant work to confined space operations and façade inspection, because they offer a flexible alternative to larger access systems like scaffolding or mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs).

Why Davit Post Testing Matters

Understanding how to test davit posts is critical for ensuring your system performs safely over its service life. Even well-installed hardware can become compromised if its base or anchorage is not verified regularly.

Under LOLER 1998 (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations), davit systems used for working at height require thorough examination every six months. In practice, however, the quality and traceability of that testing varies significantly across the industry.

Historically, the standard method for davit post testing has involved hanging physical weights over the side of buildings to simulate factored loadings. This approach is labour-intensive and frequently impractical, particularly where heights are significant, ground-level access is restricted, or public areas are directly below.

The result is an industry where the law requires testing, but where the method itself has remained difficult, time-consuming and poorly documented.

Introducing the Hydrajaws Davit Arm Tester

Hydrajaws developed the Davit Arm Tester to address this challenge directly. Designed specifically to load-test davit posts in situ, it is, to our knowledge, the first product in this category to combine portable hydraulic testing with real-time data capture and cloud-based reporting.

Where traditional testing methods produce paper records that are difficult to audit and easy to lose, the Davit Arm Tester produces structured, traceable digital evidence of every test performed.

Built for Efficiency on Site

Speed and practicality matter in real working environments. Once set up, the Davit Arm Tester repositions quickly between posts, allowing engineers to safely test significantly more davit posts in a single site visit. This streamlined workflow removes the two biggest barriers to thorough LOLER compliance: time and paperwork.

Integrated Digital Reporting via Hydrajaws Verify PRO

The tester integrates directly with the Hydrajaws Verify PRO app, enabling real-time load monitoring during every test and instant generation of time-stamped, cloud-stored reports. This brings the kind of digital audit trail that is commonplace in other areas of safety compliance, but has been largely absent from davit post inspection, into everyday site use.

Every test is documented automatically, accessible remotely and ready for regulatory review. There is no manual record-keeping, no risk of lost paperwork and no ambiguity about whether the engineer carried out a test correctly.

What Proper Davit Post Testing Should Include

Whether you are using the Hydrajaws Davit Arm Tester or reviewing your existing inspection process, robust davit post testing should cover the following:

Controlled load application: A verified test load applied to confirm the post can handle the required forces under real working conditions.

Verification against standards: Results compared against relevant safety standards, including BS EN 795 for anchor devices and the requirements of LOLER 1998.

Full documentation: Clear, traceable records showing the date, engineer, load levels and pass/fail outcome for every post tested.

Testing is not just a compliance exercise. It is the only reliable way to confirm that a davit post will perform as intended. Physical load testing reveals what visual inspection cannot: a post may appear structurally sound, but fail under the loads it will actually face in use.

The Difference the Hydrajaws Davit Arm Tester Makes

By combining portable hydraulic testing with integrated digital reporting, the Hydrajaws Davit Arm Tester delivers measurable improvements across three areas:

Occupational safety: Engineers and safety managers can confirm the structural integrity of each davit post with confidence, backed by real performance data rather than visual assumption. That data also supports smarter maintenance planning and more informed decisions over the life of the installation.

Regulatory compliance: Automated, time-stamped reporting means every test is documented to a standard that holds up to regulatory scrutiny, closing the gap between testing being done and testing being provable.

Workflow efficiency: The ability to reposition quickly between posts and generate reports instantly means teams can cover more ground in less time, without compromising on the quality or consistency of each test.

Watch the Hydrajaws Davit Arm Tester in Action

See how the Davit Arm Tester sets up, operates and generates reports on site, a practical walkthrough for engineers and safety supervisors.

Next Steps

If you are responsible for the inspection, maintenance or specification of davit systems, the Hydrajaws Davit Arm Tester is designed to make LOLER compliance more reliable, more efficient and fully auditable.

To find out more or to speak with our team about your testing requirements, visit our product page or get in touch directly.

M35+ Reverse Davit Arm Test Rig – Hydrajaws

Hydrajaws Recognised as Highly Commended Runner-Up at the Torque Magazine Awards

We are proud to share that Hydrajaws has been recognised as a Highly Commended Runner-Up for the Product Innovation – Tools Award, as awarded by Torque Magazine.

Narrowly missing out on the main prize in what was described as a highly competitive category, this recognition reflects the dedication of our team and the feedback-driven development behind Verify Torque.

About the Recognition

Torque Magazine formally presented the award at the Torque-Expo Awards Networking Event, which celebrated winners and highly commended runners-up across the industry.

In their commendation, the judges highlighted:

  • Hydrajaws’ approach to gathering and acting on user feedback in evolving Verify Torque
  • The significant expansion in capacity has opened Verify Torque into a broader range of sectors
  • The product’s reach into a wider spectrum of applications, where traceability is an essential aspect of working

The judges specifically noted that our commitment to listening, improving, and raising the bar set Hydrajaws apart in what was a strong field of entries.

Verify Torque: Built on Feedback

We developed Verify Torque to meet a genuine need in the market. Providing professionals with a reliable, traceable solution for torque testing in safety-critical environments.

What makes this recognition particularly meaningful, though, is the reason behind it. The judges weren’t simply recognising the product itself – they were recognising the process: the ongoing conversations with customers, the willingness to evolve, and the commitment to making Verify Torque work across a growing number of sectors and applications.

That feedback loop doesn’t stop here. We will continue to develop and refine our product range in line with the needs of the industries we serve.

Thank You

We would like to thank Torque Magazine for this recognition and everyone who has supported the development of Verify Torque. From the customers who shared their feedback to the team that turned that feedback into a better product.

We developed Verify Torque to meet a genuine need in the market, providing professionals with a reliable, traceable solution for torque testing in safety-critical environments.

Find Out More

To learn more about Verify Torque or to discuss your torque testing requirements. Visit our website or contact the Hydrajaws team.

If you have any enquiries, get in touch at in**@**********co.uk.

Hydrajaws Announces Strategic Partnership with Time Consultancy

Hydrajaws, the UK’s leading manufacturer of pull-testing equipment for the work-at-height and fall protection sectors, has announced a new strategic partnership with Time Consultancy – a firm that has pioneered work-at-height consultancy in the UK for 25 years.

The collaboration brings together two established names in the industry, combining Hydrajaws’ expertise in safety-critical testing equipment with Time Consultancy’s deep knowledge of compliance, inspection frameworks, and service delivery.

Why This Partnership Matters

Work-at-height operations carry significant risk. Ensuring that equipment is tested correctly, compliance frameworks are followed, and inspection services are procured from credible providers is not optional – it is essential.

By combining their respective strengths, the two organisations aim to:

  • Strengthen product innovation across Hydrajaws’ expanding range
  • Improve integration across the inspection, testing, and building management industries
  • Enhance support for both equipment users and organisations procuring inspection and testing services

Two Industry Leaders, One Shared Goal

Hydrajaws has been at the forefront of pull-testing equipment for over 35 years, supplying professionals across the UK and internationally with the tools needed to verify the integrity of anchors, fixings, and fall protection systems.

Time Consultancy brings 25 years of hands-on experience to the table, with a proven track record of delivering strategic compliance leadership at British Standards level for high-profile clients. Their expertise spans consultancy, inspection frameworks, and the broader building management sector.

Adrian Morgan, CEO of Hydrajaws, said:

“Our customers operate in high-risk environments where reliability and compliance are essential. Working with Time Consultancy ensures our expanding product range is supported by strong industry insight and practical expertise.”

Harvey Dun, Head of Time Consultancy, added:

“Hydrajaws is the most recognised and respected company in the manufacture of testing equipment for the work at height and fall protection industry. Our combined wealth of knowledge and experience will help both users of their equipment and companies that buy in inspection and testing services as their product range increases.”

What This Means for Customers

For organisations operating in safety-critical environments, this partnership signals a more integrated approach to pull testing and compliance. Customers can expect:

  • Products developed with deeper compliance insight
  • Greater alignment between equipment capability and inspection requirements
  • Improved support for teams navigating complex regulatory environments

This partnership reflects the direction the industry is moving – towards closer collaboration between equipment manufacturers and compliance specialists, ensuring that the people who rely on this equipment are better supported at every stage.

Find Out More

To learn more about Hydrajaws’ product range or to discuss your testing and compliance requirements, contact the Hydrajaws team.

If you have any enquiries about this announcement, or wish to hear about a specific topic, contact us at in**@**********co.uk.

Improving Vehicle Safety with Digital Torque Testing Equipment

When it comes to vehicle preparation, few checks are more important than torquing wheel nuts correctly. Accurate torque application protects drivers, reduces liability, and ensures vehicles leave the showroom in line with manufacturer specifications.

Yet in many workshops, teams still record torque verification manually using paper or spreadsheets. While this approach may work in principle, it doesn’t always provide the level of traceability, accuracy or proof that modern businesses need.

That’s where digital torque testing equipment is starting to change the way organisations approach safety-critical checks.

In this article, we look at how Hippo Approved, part of the Hippo Motor Group, strengthened its PDI process by adopting Hydrajaws’ Verify Torque system and why choosing the right torque testing tool matters.

Why Torque Verification Matters

Wheel nut torque is a safety-critical requirement for any vehicle leaving a workshop or showroom. Under-torquing can lead to movement and loosening over time, while over-torquing risks damaging components.

For dealerships and service centres, it’s not just about applying torque correctly. It’s also about being able to prove that the technician applied the correct torque. This is where many traditional processes fall short.

Without proper torque measurement equipment and digital recording, teams rely heavily on manual input, which introduces the risk of human error, missing records, or data that someone can alter after the fact.

Modern torque testing equipment aims to remove these gaps by capturing accurate results automatically and storing them securely.

Hippo Approved’s Approach to Torque Testing

Hippo Approved operates showrooms in Blackburn and Peterborough and has over 60 years of experience in the motor trade. As part of an internal review of safety-critical processes, the team identified an opportunity to strengthen how wheel nut torque was verified and recorded during PDI checks.

Previously, torque data was being logged in spreadsheets and entered manually. While functional, this method did not offer a secure audit trail or a digitally verifiable record to demonstrate that every wheel had been torqued in line with manufacturer specifications.

To improve confidence, consistency and traceability, Hippo Approved worked with Hydrajaws to introduce a more robust solution.

Choosing the Best Torque Testing Tool for the Job

Selecting the best torque testing tool is not just about accuracy. It’s also about usability, traceability and integration with existing processes.

Hippo Approved introduced the Hydrajaws Verify Torque system across both branches. Rather than replacing existing torque wrenches, Verify Torque acts as a smart adaptor, turning a standard wrench into a digital torque testing tool.

Using Bluetooth connectivity, the device captures torque values in real time and sends them to the Hydrajaws reporting app. From there, results are stored securely in the cloud, creating a tamper-proof audit trail.

Each torque test is:

  • Digitally recorded
  • Automatically time and date-stamped
  • Linked to the specific vehicle and technician
  • Exportable for reporting and compliance

This approach upgrades existing torque measurement equipment with digital capability, without disrupting day-to-day workshop routines.

From Manual Logs to Digital Torque Testing

One of the biggest advantages of digital torque testing is removing reliance on manual data entry.

With traditional methods, technicians may write values on paper or type them into spreadsheets at a later time. This leaves room for mistakes, omissions, and inconsistencies. It also makes it harder to defend records if proof is ever required.

By contrast, Verify Torque captures data automatically as the torque is applied. This improves accuracy while saving time for technicians who no longer need to complete separate paperwork, all available with the Hydrajaws app.

For Hippo Approved, this means every vehicle now leaves the showroom with fully traceable torque records, reinforcing customer safety and internal accountability.

The Role of Torque Testing Equipment in Compliance and Safety

Across automotive, construction and manufacturing sectors, torque verification is increasingly linked to compliance and quality assurance. Having the right torque testing equipment helps businesses demonstrate that work has been completed correctly, consistently and to specification.

For vehicle dealerships, that translates into:

  • Improved customer confidence
  • Reduced operational risk
  • Stronger internal processes
  • Clear, verifiable proof of work carried out

Digital torque testing tools also help standardise procedures across multiple sites, ensuring every technician follows the same process and records data in the same way.

Strengthening PDI Checks with Hydrajaws Verify Torque

By introducing Hydrajaws Verify Torque, Hippo Approved enhanced its PDI checks with a modern, traceable approach to torque verification. Every wheel nut torque value is now digitally recorded, time and date-stamped, and linked directly to the vehicle and technician involved.

This not only strengthens customer safety but also provides Hippo Approved with defensible, auditable proof that torque procedures are carried out correctly every time.

For organisations looking to improve their own safety-critical processes, choosing the right torque testing tool and torque measurement equipment can make a significant difference.

Looking to Upgrade Your Torque Testing Process?

If your business still relies on manual logging or spreadsheets, now may be the time to explore digital torque testing equipment that delivers accuracy, traceability and efficiency.

Hydrajaws’ range of torque testing tools, including Verify Torque, helps organisations move away from paper-based systems and towards secure, verifiable torque measurement.

To find out more about the best torque testing tool for your application, speak to the Hydrajaws team or explore our product range online.

Want to check out the full case study? Click here

Hydrajaws Launches Verify Torque to Transform Torque Traceability

Hydrajaws is proud to announce the official launch of Verify Torque, a smart, Bluetooth-enabled torque wrench adaptor. It is designed to improve how teams capture, store and report torque data across safety-critical applications.

Verify Torque is developed to work seamlessly with existing tools. It attaches directly to a standard torque wrench, instantly converting it into a digital, traceable testing solution. Rather than relying on handwritten notes or spreadsheets, users can now capture accurate torque data through the Hydrajaws reporting app. This creates a reliable digital record for every test carried out.

Why Torque Verification Needed a Rethink

For many industries, including construction, manufacturing and infrastructure, torque verification is a vital part of ensuring safety and compliance. However, traditional recording methods often leave room for error, lost paperwork or incomplete audit trails. Verify Torque addresses this by automatically logging torque values in real time and securely storing them in the cloud. The result is full traceability and accountability.

How the Torque Wrench Adaptor Works

Using Bluetooth connectivity, the device sends torque results directly to the app, where users can view, manage and export reports with ease. The app time and date-stamps each record, helping teams demonstrate they completed the work correctly and in line with required specifications.

Works with the Tools Engineers Already Use

One of the key advantages of Verify Torque is that it integrates with tools engineers already use. There’s no need to replace existing torque wrenches or change established working practices. Instead, Verify Torque enhances current processes with digital accuracy and efficiency, saving time while reducing the risk of manual mistakes.

An Award-Winning Innovation

The launch of Verify Torque reflects Hydrajaws’ ongoing commitment to improving safety-critical testing through innovation. By combining practical engineering with smart technology, the product supports organisations that need clear, defensible proof that torque procedures have been carried out correctly.

Shortly after launch, Verify Torque was recognised within the industry, winning the Torque Expo Product Innovation of the Year – Tools Award, highlighting its impact on improving torque measurement and reporting.

Check out the awards here – Torque-Expo 2024 Awards: The winners

Make the Move to Digital Traceability

As more businesses look to strengthen compliance, quality control and documentation, Verify Torque offers a straightforward way to move away from paper-based systems and towards secure, digital traceability.

To learn more about Verify Torque and how it can support your torque verification process, visit our product page or contact the Hydrajaws team for further information.

Verify Torque smart Bluetooth® torque wrench adaptor – Hydrajaws