Lifting a person with a forklift introduces safety requirements that do not apply to ordinary pallet handling. A forklift safety cage has to meet work-platform requirements, while the forklift carrying it must also be suitable for the configuration. Incorrect equipment exposes workers to avoidable risk. Your equipment choice through Fork Force therefore needs to account for the elevated task you intend to perform.
While forklifts are primarily used for lift loads and inventory, its versatility enables it to also lift individuals. However a task at height changes the way a forklift is being used and must factor in additional safety requirements to reduce risks. A forklift safety cage, also known as an elevated work platform (EWP) provides an enclosed platform to support maintenance, installations and picking tasks, but the cage itself does not establish that the complete setup is suitable. If you are sourcing a work cage through Fork Force, its weight, attachment method and compatibility with the forklift form part of the equipment specification.
Forklift Work Platform Requirements
Forklift safety cages are legal in Australia, as Australian legislations treats a forklift work platform as purpose-designed equipment for elevating people rather than a makeshift platform placed over the forks. Safe Work Australia states that forklift-supported work platforms should be engineer-designed and constructed in accordance with AS 2359.1-2015.
Ensuring your operations are following forklift work platform requirements is essential to making sure your team are safe. During elevated work, workers must remain inside the platform while it is raised or lowered, and the safety gate needs to remain shut in the elevated position. Ladders, pallets and other devices cannot be used inside the cage to gain additional height.
Forklift cage requirements for lifting a person with a forklift requires a suitable forklift and purpose-designed forklift cage or forklift man cage that is appropriate for elevating people. Safe Work Australia also directs users to AS 2359.2-2013 for work-platform use.
Forklift and Platform Compatibility
While most safety cages should fit standard forklift tynes, you should always check to ensure that your forklift is compatible to ensure safe operation. The fork pockets of the forklift work platform should indicate the fit, however they do not tell you whether the forklift is suitable for the complete lifting arrangement. The platform has its own weight, and occupants take tools or materials into it. The forklift must support that combined load while the platform is elevated.
For a proposed forklift and platform combination, check that:
- The forklift is suitable for elevating people with the intended platform.
- The platform is compatible with the forks, carriage and securing method.
- The platform, occupants and anything carried remain within the platform’s safe working load.
- The locking mechanism secures the platform as required.
- The forklift and attachment information supports the proposed configuration.
Rated capacity needs to be read for the machine as configured. Safe Work Australia’s industrial lift truck guidance includes checking load rating plates to confirm that the truck and attachments are right for the task. A load plate should not be treated as permission to fit any cage that happens to slide over the forks.
These guides help define whether any forklift can use a safety cage – establishing that forklift compatibility is based on specification.. If elevated access forms part of the work your forklift needs to perform, include that requirement when specifying the machine and attachment rather than adding a cage to an unsuitable forklift later.
Elevated Work Controls
Ground condition, overhead obstructions, nearby vehicles and pedestrians need to be considered when using a forklift work platform in your applications. Your risk assessment needs to account for the work area and people exposed.
The forklift operator must also hold the relevant high risk work licence. Safe Work Australia states that operating a forklift truck is high risk work under the model WHS Regulations. Additional information, training, instruction and supervision must also suit the work.
The need for a harness in a forklift cage requires the same task-specific assessment. Safe Work Australia requires full safety harnesses secured to anchor points for people on boom-type EWP platforms in its EWP guidance, but that rule should not simply be transferred to every forklift cage. Check the applicable work-platform design, manufacturer instructions, workplace risk controls and requirements in your state or territory.
Browse Fork Force forklift safety cage attachments for your elevated task.