If your workhouse or construction site operations involve working at different heights, forklift cages are a necessary forklift accessory to provide a stable and safe working platform for employees. Not only do forklift cages increase safety, but they also provide an efficient way of reaching areas that are difficult to work in. When looking for a forklift man cage for sale, you’ll find various types that can accommodate one or multiple workers. While a ladder and scaffolding can get the job done, they are often not enough or are time-consuming, which makes cages a great solution for preventing workers from using risky methods.
Reasons to Get a Forklift Safety Cage
There are many different applications for forklift safety cages, and they come in a variety of baskets suitable for different jobs. Knowing their applications and following the safety protocols for each of them is key to making a well-informed buying decision and properly implementing it once you make a final buying decision. Typically, safety cages aren’t used for long time periods, as they’re meant to be a temporary solution for accessing high areas for repair work or just reaching something. There are many instances where lifting employees without the help of a crane is needed, and that’s exactly where forklift safety cages are suitable. The safety of your employees working at height is of greatest importance.
Typical Uses of Forklift Safety Cages
These forklift accessories are typically used for warehouse picking and storing products, on construction sites, for farm work, for performing various maintenance, repair and cleaning tasks, for inspecting structures and vehicles and for working on ceilings, whether it’s replacing lights or anything else. Although every forklift cage has the same purpose, there are plenty of different models on the market. When deciding which man cage for sale to buy, you should be aware of the following things.
Things to Know Before Buying
The main characteristics that make one man cage for sale different than another is the the number of people it can accommodate. This includes the weight of the people, as well as the weight of the tools or equipment being used. These accessories also differ in terms of how you can get into them, i.e. whether they have a front or side gate or a lifting bar.
Just like there are key features to look for in forklifts, there are also important features for cages such as whether they come with auto locking safety gates, whether they have a non-slip surface for a floor and drain holes to prevent water from collecting, a kick rail to prevent equipment from falling off, a grilled mesh back guard to protect your limbs and fingers, whether they’re compatible with your forklift, the maximum fork spread and fork size, whether they can safely attach to the forklift, and whether it conforms to local safety regulations and guidelines.
Common Safety Hazards of Using One
Even though forklift safety cages are suited for a wide range of tasks, they should only be used occasionally. You shouldn’t use them on a regular basis for tasks they aren’t meant for, as they still don’t provide the optimum safety as purpose-built equipment. That being said, they’re generally used when other methods like scaffolds or ladders aren’t available. Most common risks involving the use of safety cages include coming in contact with obstructions on the workplace, coming in contact with power lines, coming in contact with moving parts of the forklift, falling off when not following the proper safety procedures, inability to use them in severe weather, and risk of injury when the forklift operator makes a quick maneuver.
Safety Guidelines
The most important thing of using a forklift safety cage is being properly trained to use it and knowing what to do in a case of emergency. The people using the cage should have clear communication with the forklift operator. This is best done by using hand signals. While each worker needs to concentrate on the task at hand, it’s important that they look out for each other and make sure they’re following safety guidelines.
For a forklift operator, this includes ensuring all safety features are in working order, ensuring the area they work in is clear and cordoned off using warning signs, lights and barriers, ensuring the forklift is immobile while the person in the cage is working, ensuring they wear overhead protection, ensuring they’re always within reach of the controls, and ensuring the mast stays vertical and the platform centred and horizontal.
The workers in the safety cage, on the other hand, need to make sure the forklift operator is moving safely and smoothly and make sure the truck is on a flat, level and firm surface before entering the cage. Additionally, it’s also important to use the proper personal protective equipment, such as hard hats, high-vis clothing, gloves, work boots that offer safety and comfort, a safety harness, etc. And finally, make sure the cage is clutter-free and that instruct the workers to never stand on the rails or lean out the cage.
All safety checks should be carried out by an experienced, trainer person and all of the equipment should be regularly checked and maintained to ensure it’s in proper working order.
