As a popular blog post and download on our site we have added the update below to help clarify the HSE PM28 guidance for anyone considering using a forklift truck with a &#;man basket&#; or &#;cage&#;.
As a popular blog post and download on our site we have added the update below to help clarify the HSE PM28 guidance for anyone considering using a forklift truck with a &#;man basket&#; or &#;cage&#;.
When planning an activity that involves any aspect of working at height, it is vital to consider the safe method of getting a person to the area in which they need to work.
The selection and use of an appropriate and suitable method of access will depend on the nature of the task to be carried out, the frequency of occurrence, the duration of the work and the availability of equipment.
Often when an organisation has a forklift truck onsite it may initially seem the most viable and perhaps the most cost-effective method for lifting people to the work area is using a forklift with a &#;man basket&#; or &#;cage&#;.
Looking at the Work at Height Regulations () and more specifically the HSE&#;s PM28 Guidance note (fourth edition) on non-integrated working platforms on forklift trucks, we look at some of the considerations against taking this approach.
Where &#;man baskets&#; or 'cages' are used on forklift trucks they are classified as 'non-integrated' platforms, i.e. the lift-truck operator controls the movement of the truck including the cage. There are no controls in the cage to control the truck or cage movement.
This type of equipment can be used to allow people to work at height in exceptional circumstances only e.g. &#;emergencies&#; and for 'occasional unplanned use' and only in accordance with the guidance in PM28 Guidance Note.
The use of non-integrated platforms for planned work is not allowed as there is other purpose-built access equipment, such as the wide variety of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), which are better suited to carrying out work at height tasks and are safer for the person using the platform. These are readily available for hire.
PM28 also gives further guidance on what 'occasional unplanned use' means. It clearly states that non-integrated platforms should only be used for work, which is 'exceptional'. Exceptional work would include unplanned work such as the changing of a single light bulb as an emergency job.
This definition does not include stocktaking or planned maintenance work such as cleaning/replacing the light fittings in a factory, window cleaning etc. For jobs like this a mobile elevated work platform (MEWP) with integral controls, such as a push-around vertical lift, scissor lift or mobile boom lift should be used.
There are always safer and more productive product options available for these work at height tasks!
MEWP&#;s, scaffold towers or bespoke platforms will always prove to be a safer and more cost-effective alternative to using a cage/man basket &#; reducing risk, using fewer people, less time, and without unduly impacting on your site's productivity.
Contact us today to discuss your specific work at height tasks and challenges.
Our team of working at height experts are ready to discuss your specific needs and provide the right solutions - helping you reduce risk, remain compliant and staying safe when working at height.
People say, where there's a will, there's a way. When it comes to working at height, this may not necessarily be a good thing. Often, a lack of appropriate access equipment causes employees to find sub-optimal methods of reaching areas at height. This can be dagerous, reckless and is easily avoided.
There is a wide variety of equipment available for work at height, including fixed scaffolding, tower scaffolds, mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), portable ladders, as well as non-integrated work platforms, or man-baskets. While the use of the latter is acceptable in very specific circumstances, it is not usually recommended. In this article we will outline what is a non-integrated work platform, how to work safely with it, and when it's not acceptable to use it as means to access height.
Previous Blog posted 29-Apr- 16:13:31
What is a non-integrated work platform?
A non-integrated work platform, also known as a forklift cage or a man cage, is an attachment that has been built to be used in a conjunction with a forklift truck to elevate people so that they can complete jobs at height. The elevated person has no control of the platform and all movements are controlled by the truck operator. It is very different from an intergrated attachment for a lift-truck, which provides the person in the basket itself with full control - these integrated solutions are pretty rare, with non-integrated baskets being much more common.
Forklift cages are an easy and handy way to access height if you needed to reach a certain area at your factory and had no other means to do so. However, while they are a very cost effective solution, they are also the cause of a substantial number of serious accidents. Since trucks are primarily intended for lifting materials, not people, the HSE has put together a guidance note (PM28) which clearly states the occasions upon which the use of non-integrated work platforms is acceptable. Not complying with the HSE guidance leaves organisations vulnerable to safety failures and liable for any accidents.
When is a man-basket NOT the right tool for the job?
According to PM28, any routine or planned tasks such as work associated with production, periodic maintenance or stocktaking are occasions when it is not acceptable to use forklift cages. The reason for this is because non-integrated work platforms don&#;t provide as many safety features as purpose-built access equipment, and thus they should not be used on regular or planned basis.
Non-integrated work platforms are not suitable for use on:
Trucks that require manual sequencing of the lift/tilt controls to maintain the horizontal position of the working platform while being lifted.
Trucks with masts that have erratic movement.
Trucks that have a capacity of less than kg unless their stability has been verified by testing.
Variable reach trucks that can lift to a nominal height greater than 6m.
Pallet stackers with wrap-over type forks.
How to safely work from a forklift cage?
Often people need a temporary means for working at height. Occasional use of non-integrated work platforms is acceptable only in exceptional circumstances i.e. non-routine or urgent tasks for which it is impractical to purchase or hire in purpose-built access equipment, as well as any tasks that would otherwise require the use of less safe means. Some examples of cases when you can use a forklift cage are for clearing a blocked gutter, checking on high-level damage to racking suspected of causing an immediate risk or checking on the condition of damaged roof lights.
There are a few steps to follow if the circumstances do indicate the use of a forklift basket. First and foremost, ensuring a suitable truck, compatible with the basket attachment is used to lift the basket. The best way to do this is to consult with a truck manufacturer or supplier. It is also essential that the platform can be securely attached to the truck, making sure the equipment is stable at all times and people in the platform cannot reach hazardous moving parts or the controls on the truck.
Another very important thing is that the weight of the platform together with it's load of people, tools, materials and everything else carried in it is not more than half of the actual capacity of the truck. The actual capacity constitutes the capacity of the truck when it&#;s equipped with any specified attachments and, when carrying out maintenance work, any items that are placed on the platform that add to its overall weight. The user must ensure that the platform is positively locked onto the truck and that the fork arms on the truck extend fully into the fork pockets of the basket attachment.
Steps for the safe use of non-integrated work platforms:
Attach a sign to the platform that specifies on which trucks it can be used.
Make sure that all pre-use checks are completed by an authorised person who has received adequate training.
Ensure that any tilting mechanism, side shift or any variable geometry attachments are not capable of movement when the working platform is elevated.
Ensure the truck operator is at the controls of the truck at all times when the platform is elevated.
The truck/working platform combination should only be used on firm, well-maintained and level surfaces.
There must be adequate communication between the truck operator and people on the work platform.
There should be an agreed system of hand signals in place that everyone involved is trained in the use of.
People in the working platform should not stand on the guardrails or lean out of the platform when it is elevated. In cases when people need to lean out of the platform to do work, ensure they wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), which typically consists of a full body harness with lanyard attached to a suitable anchor point.
Everyone involved in the process from the truck operator to the people in the platform must be properly trained, which includes not only how to operate the equipment, but also knowing what to do in the case of an emergency and the dangers associated with leaning out of the work platform.
The area below the work at height must be segregated from the normal work activity via the use of warning cones, lights, barriers or signs as appropriate.
Maintenance is essential and the platform needs to be in good working order, and regularly inspected.
Regulations to be aware of:
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act employers or people who have control of premises have the duty to ensure the safety of their employees and other people on the premises.
According to the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations a risk assessment must be carried out before any work at height is done.
Non-integrated work platforms can only be used under the exception in the Use of Work Equipment Directive (AUWED 89/655/EC amnded by 95/63/EC) that allows the use of material handling equipment not designed to lift people in exceptional circumstances.
When deciding to use a non-integrated or integrated work platform, employers must follow the relevant requirements of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER).
The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) requires that lifting operations are properly planned and work is carried out in a safe manner.
Under LOLER it&#;s required that all equipment for lifting people, including trucks and work platforms, are thoroughly examined by a competent person at least every six months.
All relevant LOLER requirements must be followed for the use of both non-integrated and integrated work platforms.
Under the Work at Height Regulations (WAHR) all work at height must be properly planned, organised and the risks controlled.
Non-integrated work platforms do not fall under the Machinery Directive in which a machine is described as &#;an assembly, fitted with or intended to be fitted with a drive system other than directly applied human or animal effort, consisting of linked parts or components, at least one of which moves, and which are joined together for a specific application.&#; Therefore, forklift cages must not be CE marked and there is no free movement of their distribution throughout the EU.
To find out more about the rules and regulations when using non-integrated work platforms download the HSE's Guidance Note PM28 below:
Forklift safety cages are platforms used to lift a warehouse employee or employees to high-access areas to perform an occasional or short-duration task. They can also be referred to as a &#;man cage&#;, a &#;man basket&#; or a &#;forklift working platform&#;. Safety cages provide a safe and mobile working space for workers to perform a variety of different tasks within a warehouse.
Forklifts are generally used for lifting materials and products, but when a safety cage is added, they can also be used to lift people. These are incredibly useful in situations where access to high places is needed.
Working at height poses a risk to health and safety, which is why forklift safety cages are an ideal choice to have on-site, or in the workplace in case of any event where working from a height is required. Forklift cages can transform a forklift into a stable and secure platform.
When should you use a Forklift Safety Cage?
Forklift and reach trucks have been designed to primarily lift materials and heavy objects &#; not people. However, there became an evident need for a safe way to secure means of access when a task needs to be carried out at height. A forklift safety cage can be used in these circumstances to provide a safe means of access such as improvised stairs, to be used as a platform itself, or as an improvised ladder.
They can be used to carry out emergency repair work e.g tasks that, if not carried out, would immediately pose a risk to employee safety.
Non-routine maintenance tasks
When a forklift platform provides a safer means of access than scaffolding, portable ladders etc.
When it is not possible to hire dedicated people lifting equipment due to the short duration or temporary nature of a job.
Steps to using a Forklift Safety Cage, safely.
Training
The most important thing about using a forklift safety cage is ensuring that all those involved in the use of the equipment are adequately trained on how to use it, including knowing what to do if there is an emergency.
Safety checks should be carried out by a trained individual, along with the equipment being regularly inspected and maintained to be sure it is in full working order.
Communication
There needs to be clear communication between the operator of the forklift and the worker that will be in the cage.
Be Aware Of The Load limit
It is important to check the load limit before attaching a safety cage to your forklift. The load capacity will vary based on the manufacturer and model of the forklift. Always be sure to include the weight of the safety cage, along with the weight of the people and tools that will be inside the safety cage.
Safely Securing the Platform
It is imperative that the platform is attached securely to the forklift carriage or backrest. In some cases, the platform is attached to both the carriage and the backrest. This is necessary to ensure that the forklift is able to support the total weight of the safety cage, and its content.
Wear the correct protective equipment
When using a forklift and forklift safety cage, equipment should be supplied such as hard hats, gloves, steel toe-capped boots, high-visibility clothing, and a harness or lanyard.
Providing more stability and convenience than other methods of working at height, a safety cage is an essential piece of equipment to accompany a forklift or lift ruck. For more information about forklift safety, read our other useful guides here , or contact us for any other information you may need.
When planning an activity that involves any aspect of working at height, it is vital to consider the safe method of getting a person to the area in which they need to work.
The selection and use of an appropriate and suitable method of access will depend on the nature of the task to be carried out, the frequency of occurrence, the duration of the work and the availability of equipment.
Often when an organisation has a forklift truck onsite it may initially seem the most viable and perhaps the most cost-effective method for lifting people to the work area is using a forklift with a &#;man basket&#; or &#;cage&#;.
Looking at the Work at Height Regulations () and more specifically the HSE&#;s PM28 Guidance note (fourth edition) on non-integrated working platforms on forklift trucks, we look at some of the considerations against taking this approach.
Where &#;man baskets&#; or 'cages' are used on forklift trucks they are classified as 'non-integrated' platforms, i.e. the lift-truck operator controls the movement of the truck including the cage. There are no controls in the cage to control the truck or cage movement.
This type of equipment can be used to allow people to work at height in exceptional circumstances only e.g. &#;emergencies&#; and for 'occasional unplanned use' and only in accordance with the guidance in PM28 Guidance Note.
The use of non-integrated platforms for planned work is not allowed as there is other purpose-built access equipment, such as the wide variety of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), which are better suited to carrying out work at height tasks and are safer for the person using the platform. These are readily available for hire.
PM28 also gives further guidance on what 'occasional unplanned use' means. It clearly states that non-integrated platforms should only be used for work, which is 'exceptional'. Exceptional work would include unplanned work such as the changing of a single light bulb as an emergency job.
This definition does not include stocktaking or planned maintenance work such as cleaning/replacing the light fittings in a factory, window cleaning etc. For jobs like this a mobile elevated work platform (MEWP) with integral controls, such as a push-around vertical lift, scissor lift or mobile boom lift should be used.
There are always safer and more productive product options available for these work at height tasks!
MEWP&#;s, scaffold towers or bespoke platforms will always prove to be a safer and more cost-effective alternative to using a cage/man basket &#; reducing risk, using fewer people, less time, and without unduly impacting on your site's productivity.
Contact us today to discuss your specific work at height tasks and challenges.
Our team of working at height experts are ready to discuss your specific needs and provide the right solutions - helping you reduce risk, remain compliant and staying safe when working at height.
People say, where there's a will, there's a way. When it comes to working at height, this may not necessarily be a good thing. Often, a lack of appropriate access equipment causes employees to find sub-optimal methods of reaching areas at height. This can be dagerous, reckless and is easily avoided.
There is a wide variety of equipment available for work at height, including fixed scaffolding, tower scaffolds, mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), portable ladders, as well as non-integrated work platforms, or man-baskets. While the use of the latter is acceptable in very specific circumstances, it is not usually recommended. In this article we will outline what is a non-integrated work platform, how to work safely with it, and when it's not acceptable to use it as means to access height.
Previous Blog posted 29-Apr- 16:13:31
What is a non-integrated work platform?
A non-integrated work platform, also known as a forklift cage or a man cage, is an attachment that has been built to be used in a conjunction with a forklift truck to elevate people so that they can complete jobs at height. The elevated person has no control of the platform and all movements are controlled by the truck operator. It is very different from an intergrated attachment for a lift-truck, which provides the person in the basket itself with full control - these integrated solutions are pretty rare, with non-integrated baskets being much more common.
Forklift cages are an easy and handy way to access height if you needed to reach a certain area at your factory and had no other means to do so. However, while they are a very cost effective solution, they are also the cause of a substantial number of serious accidents. Since trucks are primarily intended for lifting materials, not people, the HSE has put together a guidance note (PM28) which clearly states the occasions upon which the use of non-integrated work platforms is acceptable. Not complying with the HSE guidance leaves organisations vulnerable to safety failures and liable for any accidents.
When is a man-basket NOT the right tool for the job?
According to PM28, any routine or planned tasks such as work associated with production, periodic maintenance or stocktaking are occasions when it is not acceptable to use forklift cages. The reason for this is because non-integrated work platforms don&#;t provide as many safety features as purpose-built access equipment, and thus they should not be used on regular or planned basis.
Non-integrated work platforms are not suitable for use on:
Trucks that require manual sequencing of the lift/tilt controls to maintain the horizontal position of the working platform while being lifted.
Trucks with masts that have erratic movement.
Trucks that have a capacity of less than kg unless their stability has been verified by testing.
Variable reach trucks that can lift to a nominal height greater than 6m.
Pallet stackers with wrap-over type forks.
How to safely work from a forklift cage?
Often people need a temporary means for working at height. Occasional use of non-integrated work platforms is acceptable only in exceptional circumstances i.e. non-routine or urgent tasks for which it is impractical to purchase or hire in purpose-built access equipment, as well as any tasks that would otherwise require the use of less safe means. Some examples of cases when you can use a forklift cage are for clearing a blocked gutter, checking on high-level damage to racking suspected of causing an immediate risk or checking on the condition of damaged roof lights.
There are a few steps to follow if the circumstances do indicate the use of a forklift basket. First and foremost, ensuring a suitable truck, compatible with the basket attachment is used to lift the basket. The best way to do this is to consult with a truck manufacturer or supplier. It is also essential that the platform can be securely attached to the truck, making sure the equipment is stable at all times and people in the platform cannot reach hazardous moving parts or the controls on the truck.
Another very important thing is that the weight of the platform together with it's load of people, tools, materials and everything else carried in it is not more than half of the actual capacity of the truck. The actual capacity constitutes the capacity of the truck when it&#;s equipped with any specified attachments and, when carrying out maintenance work, any items that are placed on the platform that add to its overall weight. The user must ensure that the platform is positively locked onto the truck and that the fork arms on the truck extend fully into the fork pockets of the basket attachment.
Steps for the safe use of non-integrated work platforms:
Attach a sign to the platform that specifies on which trucks it can be used.
Make sure that all pre-use checks are completed by an authorised person who has received adequate training.
Ensure that any tilting mechanism, side shift or any variable geometry attachments are not capable of movement when the working platform is elevated.
Ensure the truck operator is at the controls of the truck at all times when the platform is elevated.
The truck/working platform combination should only be used on firm, well-maintained and level surfaces.
There must be adequate communication between the truck operator and people on the work platform.
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There should be an agreed system of hand signals in place that everyone involved is trained in the use of.
People in the working platform should not stand on the guardrails or lean out of the platform when it is elevated. In cases when people need to lean out of the platform to do work, ensure they wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), which typically consists of a full body harness with lanyard attached to a suitable anchor point.
Everyone involved in the process from the truck operator to the people in the platform must be properly trained, which includes not only how to operate the equipment, but also knowing what to do in the case of an emergency and the dangers associated with leaning out of the work platform.
The area below the work at height must be segregated from the normal work activity via the use of warning cones, lights, barriers or signs as appropriate.
Maintenance is essential and the platform needs to be in good working order, and regularly inspected.
Regulations to be aware of:
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act employers or people who have control of premises have the duty to ensure the safety of their employees and other people on the premises.
According to the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations a risk assessment must be carried out before any work at height is done.
Non-integrated work platforms can only be used under the exception in the Use of Work Equipment Directive (AUWED 89/655/EC amnded by 95/63/EC) that allows the use of material handling equipment not designed to lift people in exceptional circumstances.
When deciding to use a non-integrated or integrated work platform, employers must follow the relevant requirements of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER).
The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) requires that lifting operations are properly planned and work is carried out in a safe manner.
Under LOLER it&#;s required that all equipment for lifting people, including trucks and work platforms, are thoroughly examined by a competent person at least every six months.
All relevant LOLER requirements must be followed for the use of both non-integrated and integrated work platforms.
Under the Work at Height Regulations (WAHR) all work at height must be properly planned, organised and the risks controlled.
Non-integrated work platforms do not fall under the Machinery Directive in which a machine is described as &#;an assembly, fitted with or intended to be fitted with a drive system other than directly applied human or animal effort, consisting of linked parts or components, at least one of which moves, and which are joined together for a specific application.&#; Therefore, forklift cages must not be CE marked and there is no free movement of their distribution throughout the EU.
To find out more about the rules and regulations when using non-integrated work platforms download the HSE's Guidance Note PM28 below:
Forklift safety cages are platforms used to lift a warehouse employee or employees to high-access areas to perform an occasional or short-duration task. They can also be referred to as a &#;man cage&#;, a &#;man basket&#; or a &#;forklift working platform&#;. Safety cages provide a safe and mobile working space for workers to perform a variety of different tasks within a warehouse.
Forklifts are generally used for lifting materials and products, but when a safety cage is added, they can also be used to lift people. These are incredibly useful in situations where access to high places is needed.
Working at height poses a risk to health and safety, which is why forklift safety cages are an ideal choice to have on-site, or in the workplace in case of any event where working from a height is required. Forklift cages can transform a forklift into a stable and secure platform.
When should you use a Forklift Safety Cage?
Forklift and reach trucks have been designed to primarily lift materials and heavy objects &#; not people. However, there became an evident need for a safe way to secure means of access when a task needs to be carried out at height. A forklift safety cage can be used in these circumstances to provide a safe means of access such as improvised stairs, to be used as a platform itself, or as an improvised ladder.
They can be used to carry out emergency repair work e.g tasks that, if not carried out, would immediately pose a risk to employee safety.
Non-routine maintenance tasks
When a forklift platform provides a safer means of access than scaffolding, portable ladders etc.
When it is not possible to hire dedicated people lifting equipment due to the short duration or temporary nature of a job.
Steps to using a Forklift Safety Cage, safely.
Training
The most important thing about using a forklift safety cage is ensuring that all those involved in the use of the equipment are adequately trained on how to use it, including knowing what to do if there is an emergency.
Safety checks should be carried out by a trained individual, along with the equipment being regularly inspected and maintained to be sure it is in full working order.
Communication
There needs to be clear communication between the operator of the forklift and the worker that will be in the cage.
Be Aware Of The Load limit
It is important to check the load limit before attaching a safety cage to your forklift. The load capacity will vary based on the manufacturer and model of the forklift. Always be sure to include the weight of the safety cage, along with the weight of the people and tools that will be inside the safety cage.
Safely Securing the Platform
It is imperative that the platform is attached securely to the forklift carriage or backrest. In some cases, the platform is attached to both the carriage and the backrest. This is necessary to ensure that the forklift is able to support the total weight of the safety cage, and its content.
Wear the correct protective equipment
When using a forklift and forklift safety cage, equipment should be supplied such as hard hats, gloves, steel toe-capped boots, high-visibility clothing, and a harness or lanyard.
Providing more stability and convenience than other methods of working at height, a safety cage is an essential piece of equipment to accompany a forklift or lift ruck. For more information about forklift safety, read our other useful guides here , or contact us for any other information you may need.
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