MAN CAGES
Safe use of a man-cage This write-up is done specifically for use by the competent person, when he/she is doing a risk assessment before persons are lifted to work above ground level, through the use of a man-cage to ensure that the cage and machinery are compliant and safe for use. Non-integrated work platforms, or as what we in the field will generally refer to as man-cages, cradles, carriers, work platforms, suspended baskets or personnel cages is a complicated subject on itself. In short, these devices are specially made for the lifting of personnel to work in suspended positions, on hard to reach equipment. Man-cages comes in many shapes and sizes and is used in industry daily, but what very few end-users know is that they are regulated by law, through the Occupational Health and Safety act 85/1993, also referred to as the OHS act. More specific, man-cages is regulated through the Driven Machinery Regulation, DMR 18(8). (See attached examples of man-cages, suspended baskets etc.) Legislation Definition of a man-cage as per DMR 18 “Man-Cage” means a platform enclosed on all side, whether closed or open at the top, designed to raise and lower persons utilizing a lifting machine, but does not include mobile elevated platforms and suspended access platforms. (Excludes MEWP’s and platforms purpose build or build from scaffolding) Regulation 18(8) No user shall require or permit any person to be moved or supported through a lifting machine unless that machine is fitted with a man-cage designed and manufactured according to an approved SANS standard approved for that purpose by an inspector and after a risk assessment has been done. This points out 3 requirements: 1. The cage must be designed and manufactured to an approved SANS standard 2. The cage must be approved by an inspector of the DOL for the purpose it will be used for 3. A risk assessment must be done every time before it is used, by a responsible person This is further explained through 6 notes: (a) Man-cage was known as a cradle or suspended basket. This regulation aims to ensure that persons are lifted safely and work is done safely. The intention is to limit the use of a man-cage as far as possible. The employer must first consider lifting persons with machine/equipment specially designed to lift a person (i.e. cherry picker). If a lifting machine
other than the one designed to lift people i.e. forklift or crane can be used to lift persons inside the Man-cages/ cradles or suspended basket. (b) This use of an associated forklift or a crane with a man-cage must be also be approved for a specific site to lift persons, must be approved by an inspector. (c) The scope of such approval shall, as a minimum, include design and safe operation. (d) The use of cradles should in the first instance be avoided by the use of purpose-made equipment. (e) In exceptional instances where the use of cradles can-not be avoided (occasionally) the user must apply for approval from the Department of Labour. (f) Safe working procedures for these activities must be implemented and strictly enforced. Twice the word “inspector” has been underlined for reason that an inspector must approve such man-cage for a specific site. An inspector is defined in the OHS act as: “Inspector” means a person designated under section 28 of the OHS act. This designation is given to him/her by the Minister of Labour with certain duties and one of them is to approve the use of a man-cage. Further to this, DMR18 also list certain SANS/EN standards that form part of regulation 18. Four of these specifications is relevant to man-cages/ suspended platforms, as they are the machines normally associated with the lifting of these cages/ platforms. This implies that these lifting machines must be safe for use before one can even attempt to use these machines for the lifting of a man-cage. In certain cases, there are also special instructions given when these machines are used for lifting a man-cage. • SANS 10375 – Inspection and testing of overhead cranes and hoists, (no reference but EN 14502 applicable) • SANS 10388 – The inspection, examination and testing of lift trucks, (no reference) • SANS 19 – The inspection and testing of mobile cranes, (specific reference as well as EN 14502 applicable) • EN 14502 – Cranes – Equipment for the lifting of persons. SANS 583:2015 Forklift usage When it comes to the man-cage itself one will find specification SANS 583:2015, Non-integrated work platform for occasional use on lift trucks. Prior to the use of the work platform, a hazard
