How To Use a Forklift Safety Cage

What is a forklift safety cage?

A forklift safety cage is a forklift attachment that fits onto the forks (sometimes called tines) of a forklift truck. Sometimes known as forklift man cages or forklift man baskets, forklift safety cages provide a secure platform for workers to stand on while being lifted to high or hard to reach areas.

When to use a forklift safety cage

Forklifts are primarily designed to lift and move heavy objects and materials. However, when combined with quality forklift attachments, they become a very versatile machine that can be used to move a huge range of materials such as oil drums, carpets, bins, and even people. 

A forklift safety cage provides a safe way to access heights and difficult spaces or can be used as a platform or like a ladder. A cage comes into its own when there is a need to perform non-routine maintenance tasks at height, to carry out emergency repairs, when it is not possible to hire dedicated people lifting equipment, and when it is a safer means of accessing scaffolding and at-height shelving and storages spaces.

Forklift Safety Cage Compliance

Before you use a forklift safety cage in Australia, you must ensure that it has engineering approval, the harness points approved, and is built to comply with Australian Standard AS2359 part 12.3.2. that sets out the general requirements for the use of powered industrial trucks.

The specific purpose of this Australian Standard is to ensure the safe design, marking, testing and/or design compliance and operation of powered industrial trucks, including cage attachments, and how they’re operated.

It’s also important to ensure that your forklift attachment has been welded correctly.

If your forklift safety cage does not meet the Australian Standard, there may be a serious risk of injury due to loads falling, forklifts overturning, or load failures. You may also be in breach of your state’s workplace health and safety laws, resulting in potential serious civil and criminal consequences for the operator and worksite/ business owner.

How to safely use a forklift safety cage

There are a number of steps you should take to ensure your forklift safety cage is used safely.

1. Compliance Check
   
   Ensure that your forklift safety cage has engineering and safety harness approval and meets Australian Standard AS2359 part 12.3.2, as discussed above.
   
   
2. Check the load limit
   
   Check your forklift load limit before attaching a forklift safety cage, or any other attachment, to your forklift. The load capacity will vary and is based on the model and manufacture of your forklift. According to the Australian Standards, to use a safety cage, the minimum working capacity of a forklift must be 1800kg. It’s important to remember that the load limit of 250kgs does not include the weight of the safety cage, it only includes the combined with the weight of the people and any tools or other objects that will be inside the cage.
   
   
3. Training and Safety
   
   Ensure that only trained employees operate the forklift and attached safety cage. Safety checks should only ever be conducted by a trained individual, and equipment checks need to be regularly made to ensure the forklift and safety cage are well maintained and in good working order. A pre operational checklist for forklift and safety cages should be completed immediately prior to the lifting and supporting any personnel.
   
   
4. Secure the Cage
   
   Insert the detachable headboard into the location points at the rear of the cage, then drive the tynes into the fork pockets of the safety cage. Secure the safety pins in the tynes. Ensure the cage is secure and won’t slip off, the restraining pins are correctly attached, and the platform is at ground level before entering or exiting.
   
   
5. Wear a Harness and Safety Gear
   
   Wear a securely connected safety harness. Connect the end of your harness lanyard to the fall restraint loops at rail height at the back of the cage. Hard hats, high vis clothing, gloves and steel toe boots may also be required.
   
   
6. Using the Cage
   
   The worker in the safety cage should always stand on the floor of the cage, not on objects or ladders. It’s important that the mast remains vertical, and the forklift operator and worker are aware of any overhead obstructions, electrical hazards, pedestrian traffic or other machinery or vehicles. In the event of a failure, both the forklift operator and safety cage worker need to be able to safely exit the cage. 
   
   It’s also important to ensure that the forklift remains on a flat, stable and well-maintained floor surface at all times.
   
   
7. Communication
   
   It’s important to ensure that there is clear communication between the forklift operator and worker in the safety cage, and that the operator always remains in control of the forklift. This may include agreed hand signals that have been practiced in training.
   

Buy Quality Australian Made Forklift Safety Cages

Bremco Metal Products is an Australian owned family business that designs and manufactures quality forklift safety cages for Australia’s toughest work environments. Our forklift safety cages are designed and manufactured in Australia and are fully welded in accordance with Australian Standard AS2359 part 12.3.2.

Our safety cages are engineering compliant, and Engineer Compliance Certificates are available upon request. Bremco also provides a compliance plate attached to your cage, and a comprehensive Safety Cage Instruction Manual.

Protect your staff, improve efficiency, and streamline your processes. Contact our friendly team today for expert advice and a fast quote on your next forklift safety cage.

Brett Moody