The Conquip Access Cage is a fully compliant crane-lifted personnel cage for transporting site operatives to high or low locations, available in 1, 2, 4, 6 and 12-person capacities. Every cage is supplied with a certified four-leg lifting chain, a designated harness attachment point per occupant, recessed handrails and an SHS Emergency Descent Point (EDP), with half-height solid steel sides balancing protection and visibility. The 2-person variant adds integrated fork pockets and a toolbox for forklift or telehandler lifting with tools aboard.
Key Features
- Capacity range from 1-person up to 12-person, suiting varying project sizes and operative numbers
- Certified four-leg lifting chain supplied with every cage for stable, balanced lifts
- Half-height solid steel sides offer maximum personnel protection without compromising operator or occupant visibility
- Designated internal harness attachment point per occupant for fall protection during transit
- SHS Emergency Descent Point (EDP) provides a secured anchor for evacuation in case of crane or chain failure
- Self-closing door with safety locking catch prevents accidental opening during the lift
- Recessed handrails reduce snag risk while providing stability for occupants
- 2-person cage features integrated fork pockets and toolbox, enabling forklift or telehandler lifting and on-site maintenance work
- Fully compliant with BS EN 14502-1:2010, BS 8681-2024, LOLER 1998, and PUWER 1998
Technical Specifications
| Capacity Range |
1, 2, 4, 6, or 12 persons |
| Working Load Limit |
120kg to 1440kg (capacity-dependent) |
| Door |
Self-closing with safety locking catch |
| Sides |
Half-height solid steel |
| Lifting Chain |
Certified four-leg, supplied with cage |
| Harness Points |
Designated internal point per occupant |
| Emergency Descent |
SHS Emergency Descent Point (EDP) |
| Handrails |
Internal recessed |
| 2-Person Variant |
Fork pockets and toolbox included |
| Standards |
BS EN 14502-1:2010, BS 8681-2024 |
| Regulations |
LOLER 1998, PUWER 1998 |
BS EN 14502-1:2010 | BS 8681-2024 | LOLER 1998 | PUWER 1998 Compliant
CE-marked. Supplied with certified four-leg lifting chain. Manufactured in the UK.
More About This Product
The Conquip Access Cage is a fully compliant crane-lifted personnel cage used to transport site operatives to high or low locations across construction sites. The range covers 1, 2, 4, 6, and 12-person capacities, so the right size is available for everything from single-operator inspections through to full team movements in tunnels, shafts, and confined spaces. Every cage in the range is supplied with a certified four-leg lifting chain, a designated harness attachment point per occupant, recessed handrails, and a Square Hollow Section (SHS) for use as an Emergency Descent Point (EDP) during evacuation. The 2-person variant additionally features integrated fork pockets and a toolbox, allowing it to be lifted by forklift or telehandler and to carry tools for maintenance work alongside personnel. Half-height solid steel sides on every cage provide maximum protection while preserving visibility for both the crane operator and the personnel inside. A safety locking catch ensures the door remains securely closed throughout the lift.
Suitable Applications
Access Cages are used wherever crane-lifted personnel transport is required: tunnel and shaft access, confined space entry, working at height where scaffold is impractical, basement and below-ground inspections, and rapid team mobilisation across multi-level construction sites. The 1 and 2-person sizes suit individual inspections, snagging, and small maintenance tasks. The 4 and 6-person sizes are widely used for daily operative movements on infrastructure, civils, and tunnel projects. The 12-person cage supports large-scale shift changes on major projects where speed of movement is a priority.
These lift PEOPLE, which carries requirements nothing else in the range does — permitted only where no safer access exists, with a documented plan and more frequent examination. For loose materials a goods carrying cage is the correct choice.
How to Use
- Carry out a pre-use inspection: master link, chain links, cage body, door, and door latch
- Verify the cage WLL is greater than the combined weight of all occupants and any equipment
- All occupants don a fall arrest harness and connect to the designated internal harness points before the lift begins
- Close the door fully and engage the safety locking catch
- The crane operator takes the strain slowly and verifies the cage is balanced before completing the lift
- The cage is lowered gently at the destination, with personnel remaining harnessed until the cage is fully grounded
- Personnel disengage harnesses and exit through the door once the cage is stable on the ground or destination level
Warning:
All occupants must wear a fall arrest harness connected to the designated internal harness point. Working Load Limit must not be exceeded — occupant weight, tools, and harnesses all count toward the total. Never use without prior thorough examination by a competent person under LOLER 1998. The door must be fully closed and locked before any lift commences.
Safety Information
- Working Load Limit specific to each cage size must not be exceeded under any circumstance
- Pre-use inspection required before every lift; thorough examination every six months under LOLER 1998
- All occupants must wear an approved fall arrest harness connected to a designated internal harness point
- Door must be fully closed and the safety locking catch engaged before any lift
- Lifting must be carried out by a competent crane operator with a trained banksman or signaller
- Cages with damaged frames, worn locking catches, or compromised harness points must be removed from service immediately
- Use only the supplied certified four-leg lifting chain
- Do not use the SHS Emergency Descent Point as a primary lifting attachment
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What makes the Access Cage safe?
The cage features a self-closing door with safety locking catch, multiple harness attachment points, and recessed handrails for stability during transit. Half-height solid steel sides offer maximum protection without compromising visibility, allowing the team to remain aware of their surroundings. The full range complies with LOLER 1998 and BS EN 14502-1:2010.
Q: What pre-use checks should I carry out?
Inspect the master link for distortion, nicks, and gouges; check the condition of the chain links; verify the body is free from damage and deformation; and confirm the door and door latch operate smoothly. Consult the Conquip user guide for the full pre-use checklist.
Q: Why is the 2-person cage different?
The 2-person variant includes integrated fork pockets and a toolbox. This allows the cage to be lifted by forklift or telehandler in addition to a crane, and lets teams carry tools and equipment for on-site maintenance work — useful when site requirements call for personnel transport plus light maintenance in a single visit.
Q: What is the difference between this cage and the Stretcher Cage or Rescue Cage?
The Access Cage is for routine personnel transport. The Stretcher Cage is a mandatory emergency rescue solution designed to fit a foldable stretcher with an injured person and one attendant. The Rescue Cage uses an inverted T-shape design specifically for retrieving stranded personnel suspended from a leading edge.
Q: Does the cage come with chains?
Yes — every Access Cage is supplied with a certified four-leg lifting chain, ready to attach to a crane hook. No additional chain assembly is required.