Lifting Cage for Forklifts - Safe Work at Height

In short: A lifting cage mounts onto the forklift's forks and gives a worker a railed platform from which to service a shelf, lighting or roof structure at height. The cage doesn't turn the forklift into a dedicated aerial lift: load capacity, the condition of the railings and the worker's harness connection must all be checked before every lift.

When do you need a lifting cage?

In warehouses and production buildings, you occasionally need to reach something high up: changing a light fixture, servicing the top level of a shelf, or doing a short repair job. Ordering a dedicated aerial lift for a short task isn't practical when a forklift is already on hand. A lifting cage offers a safe solution for this, provided the forklift and cage are suitable for it and used properly.

Which features matter?

• Railings and toe board: a proper cage is enclosed with handrails and a lower toe board, which prevents objects and feet from falling out of the cage.
• Harness attachment points: the cage must have a point for attaching the worker's safety harness, this is mandatory for working at height, not optional.
• Load capacity at height: the forklift's load capacity decreases as the mast extends, so the combined weight of the cage and worker must not exceed the forklift's actual allowed load at that height.
• Fork mounting: the cage must be locked onto the forks so it doesn't slip off during lifting and while working.

Common mistakes and hazards

• Working without a safety harness: the cage itself does not replace a harness, it's an additional layer of protection between the attachment and the worker.
• Ignoring load capacity at height: people account for the forklift's capacity at ground level, not with the mast extended.
• Moving the machine with the cage raised: while a worker is in the cage, the forklift must not be driven, only raised and lowered.
• Underestimating visibility: when working at height, it helps if the operator and the person in the cage have an agreed way of communicating.

In a narrow warehouse, installing safety mirrors also helps improve the operator's visibility. You'll find all forklift attachments in our lifting cage range. Send us your forklift's make and model, and we'll tell you which cage fits. Ask us via our contact page.