Conquip Access Cage

Crane-lifted personnel cage range from 1 to 12-person capacity for safe transport of operatives to confined, elevated, and below-ground locations.

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.

Technical Specifications

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

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.

How to Use

1. Carry out a pre-use inspection: master link, chain links, cage body, door, and door latch
2. Verify the cage WLL is greater than the combined weight of all occupants and any equipment
3. All occupants don a fall arrest harness and connect to the designated internal harness points before the lift begins
4. Close the door fully and engage the safety locking catch
5. The crane operator takes the strain slowly and verifies the cage is balanced before completing the lift
6. The cage is lowered gently at the destination, with personnel remaining harnessed until the cage is fully grounded
7. 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