A ladder cage is a protective lining used with tall ladders, often exceeding 20 feet. It is constructed of metal or fiberglass and has vertical bars spaced 9 inches apart. The cage must meet OSHA standards and can prevent falls from the ladder.
A ladder cage is a special impact resistant lining approximately 7 feet (2,134 meters) or more in length. Extending slightly above the ladder, a stair cage protects the person using a ladder in high places and can prevent the person from falling. Ladder cages are most often used where very tall ladders are needed, generally exceeding 20 feet (6,096 meters), such as with water tanks, fire escapes, and towers.
Often constructed of metal or fiberglass, a stair cage looks similar to a corset with a long, narrow waist. Slightly wider at the mouth and base, the cage has vertical bars that create a round shell, which forms a tube, called a well, around the ladder. The vertical bars are approximately 9 inches (22.86 centimeters) apart and supported by horizontal bands spaced at least every 4 feet (1.219 meters) apart. The back of the cage cannot be larger than 30 inches (76.2 centimeters) from the center of the ladder rungs. The cage is usually about 30 inches (76.2 centimeters) wide.
In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has stringent standards to ensure the safety of those using ladder cages. The base of the cage can start 7 feet (2,134 meters) from the base of the ladder. It must extend approximately 3.5 feet (106.68 centimeters) from the top of the ladder, unless another safety feature such as a landing is provided. An opening or gate must be at the top of the stair cage.
No protrusions or objects, such as boards or metal objects, may obstruct the inside of a stair cage and must be unobstructed for the user. A cage must be able to withstand at least 200 pounds (90.71 kilograms) of weight if someone falls backwards against it. It is not permitted to use cages that do not meet the stringent requirements of OSHA.
A stair cage is an essential safety feature for people climbing tall ladders. It can prevent a person from falling backwards or sideways from the ladder. If a person loses their grip or footing on the rung of a ladder or leans back too far, the cage can protect the person from falling. A person can back away but become entangled, thus preventing an accident.
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