Eazi Access Assists with the New Legislation Change on Man Cage Lift Trucks

Safeguarding and protecting employees in the workplace is non-negotiable, particularly in high-risk industries where working-at-height is integral but inherently dangerous. Recognising this, South Africa’s Department of Labour and the SABS Standards Division recently amended legislation on the use of man cages for lift trucks to align with international best practices.

For years, man cages, or non-integrated work platforms, were widely used to lift workers and materials. However, due to **safety risks—particularly that the operator in a man cage does not control the machine—**new legislation prioritises mobile elevated working platforms (MEWPs), which offer safer, more efficient solutions.

“Although man cages have been around for a long time, they have posed a risk as the person in the man cage is not in control of the machine,” says Chad Pope, Business Director for Eazi Access, Africa’s leader in work-at-height and material handling solutions. “We support this legislative change as an enhancement to industry standards to promote safer work-at-height solutions.”

Man cages are traditionally used for stock handling and maintenance, elevating people and materials. However, best practice now requires that workers have control over their environment at height, which man cages do not provide. This legislative shift has driven increased demand for MEWPs.

New Legislation for Safer Standards

Under South African National Standard for Non-Integrated Work Platforms for Occasional use on Lift Trucks (SANS 583:2015), Clauses 4.1.1 and 4.1.2 specify that man cages are not suitable for routine or planned tasks and recommend MEWPs as they offer higher safety levels.

Clause 4.3.1 (d) further restricts man cage use on variable reach trucks, forklifts, and telehandlers lifting above 6m. Additional clauses (4.3.2, 5.9.2, and 5.9.3) mandate that man cages must be electrically linked to the lifting machine with operational controls.

“Mobile elevated work platforms are specifically designed to offer control from the platform,” explains Pope, “ensuring a safe, productive workspace. They also reach greater heights and have quicker turnaround times compared to traditional solutions, avoiding unforeseen costs.”

Benefits of MEWPs

Advances in MEWP safety, hybrid technologies, and extended machine heights (up to 58.5m) bring substantial benefits to industries needing work-at-height solutions. Eazi Access collaborates with customers to determine the most suitable machine for each application.

For instance, a major South African pharmaceutical company switched from man cages to MEWPs for stock taking after consulting with Eazi Access. The change yielded significant productivity gains, cost savings, and reduced safety risks. The company saw a reduction in man hours, better resource allocation, improved accountability, and lower non-compliance costs.

Safety Remains Paramount

Safety must remain a top priority across industries. The safe use of MEWPs begins with proper operator training from an accredited service provider.