Abstract: A foldable hoist, fall-arrest and recovery system to be used in connection with a rectangular manhole guard having vertical posts at four corners of the guard including an upper structure having four elongated support members forming a pyramid shaped structure with the base of each of the support members being securely mounted to the top of a post on the manhole guard and the other ends of the support members being pivotally connected to an apex so that the upper structure can be folded for storage and shipment when disconnected from the base and means connected at the apex for raising and lowering workers and/or cargo into and out of the manhole or for arresting the fall or recovering a worker.