Uses and Safety Functions Of Crane Platform Cages
Date Posted:8 April 2015
Cranes are used in construction and mining sites to move personnel, equipment, and materials from one point to the other, vertically. The things being transported or moved by a crane are quite sensitive and fragile in most cases.
The handling of people and goods by a crane should be done with utmost caution, safety, and care. This is where crane platform cages come in to ensure that the cargo on a forklift or crane is kept safe and secure from any type of damage or accident.
These platforms are made in the form of cages with surrounding metal frames. Most crane platform cages are made for people and not for goods. There are still many crane baskets and cages made to transport sensitive materials such as explosives, valuable commodities, and bulky fuel.
Anything that is transported on a crane is supposed to move from a low point to a high point or the other way round. This type of movement can be quite risky mainly due to the heights involved.
Crane Platform Cages for Construction
For instance, when skyscrapers and other tall building structured are being established, movement of goods and personnel from the ground level to the floors being worked on is really essential and necessary at the same time. When facilitating the movement of these resources, safety must be considered in order to ensure no losses or accidents are sustained in the process.
Different crane platform cages and baskets have different capabilities and uses. As mentioned above, there are those cages used to transport goods while there are other cages used to transport personnel. The different capabilities exhibited by crane platform cages and baskets depend on the load capacity, number of people who can fit in a single cage compartment, and even the safety rating on the subject equipment.
A crane platform basket or cage can have several anchor points to enable it to be firmly supported throughout the movement process. The personnel operating the subject equipment should always ensure that the load capacity attached to a certain cage or basket is not exceeded. This is to ensure that the crane platform cage works as required.
Many situations may arise where crane platform cages are necessary. When there is a need to elevate people to high points, many solutions can be mentioned. Using cranes is much more convenient than using other equipment such as scaffolds. To effectively elevate objects and people to great heights above ground level, crane platform cages are the most viable and affordable solution.
Other Uses of Crane Platform Cages
The crane platform cages can also be used for emergency or rescue activities. There are specially designed personnel platform cages made specifically to be used for rescue procedures. Accidents do happen when working inside some really tall building structures and when they do, urgent rescue is needed.
To carry out a successful rescue activity at such great heights, special cages with all round mesh and appropriate configuration are needed. Rescue crane cages are used by fire fighters when getting people out of burning buildings.
A simple example of another application for crane baskets and cages are platforms used by window cleaners to clean windows of skyscrapers and tall buildings. People tasked with the responsibility of keeping these fixtures clean need to be elevated to high places and one easy way of doing this is by using a crane. While this is very much convenient, ensuring that the people doing the cleaning remain safe and secure from harm or sudden fall is very crucial and paramount.
Safety in the Use of Crane Platform Cages
Cages specifically designed to carry people normally come with some special features to make them certified and approved for use. Chains and safety harnesses really come in handy in supporting a person who is being pulled down by forces of gravity. Those who are afraid of heights should not worry when using these pieces of equipment, as they are very capable and safe to use.
There are also some collapsible or folding crane platforms that are convenient due to their portable nature. These work platforms can be used to carry small piles of bricks as well as people who can work for short periods of time above a crane. The cages come ready to use and have minimal set up or installation procedures. They are also painted yellow as per the construction safety guidelines.
All crane platform cages and baskets come with their accompanying and appropriate documentation in terms of user manuals and safety guidelines for effective use. The same equipment is also thoroughly tested and evaluated to meet industry standards and safety requirements imposed by various authorities. The safety of personnel and materials is assured when using crane platform cages and baskets. This equipment brings in a lot of convenience and ease of work.
