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Not All Personnel Cages Are the Same. Here’s Why…

17th, March 2026

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At Conquip, maximum safety has always determined how we design and manufacture our crane-lifted people cages. For us, product innovation isn’t simply about introducing new equipment; it also involves reviewing, updating and improving our products to respond to customer feedback, staying ahead of changes in regulations and good guidance, and addressing real challenges faced on construction sites.

The standard we set ourselves is to be the industry leader for equipment and accompanying operational and technical guidance. Over the years, our personnel cages have become widely trusted by contractors for their reliability, durability and compliance with the highest industry standards, including BS EN, EU and LOLER regulations, but there is always room for improvement…

The Background

In recent years, we’ve been aware that some contractors have had a desire to have personnel cages on-site with self-rescue or emergency descent capabilities, in turn driving a wider need within the industry for equipment that better supports emergency evacuation procedures and compliance with BS 8681:2024.

In addition, further examination of BS EN 14502-1:2010 (the standard covering suspended personnel cages) prompted Conquip, a Tier 1 contractor and the industry‘s Lead Appointed Person group to, encourage all personnel cages to be fitted with individual harness attachment points.

Recognising both the practical challenges faced on-site and the direction of industry guidance, Conquip has taken steps to further enhance the safety features of our range of personnel cages.

Today, we’re pleased to introduce the latest safety improvements across our personnel cage range.

New Safety Upgrades for 2026

To support improved safety practices and full compliance with BS EN 14502-1:2010 and BS 8681:2024, we have upgraded our Rescue Cage, Stretcher Cage and Access Cage range with major safety features. These upgrades have been carefully designed to support safer operations while maintaining the practicality and durability required for demanding site environments.

Key features now include:

1. Designated harness attachment points for every occupant: Each operative now has an individual harness attachment point, providing a clear and secure connection location when working at height.

2. Square Hollow Section (SHS) Emergency Descent Point (EDP): A structurally verified and load-rated Emergency Descent Point has been integrated into the cage design, to support controlled emergency evacuation procedures where required following a site-specific risk assessment.

Both the harness attachment points and the designated Emergency Descent Point have been engineered with rounded profiles. This helps ensure smooth operation when used with ropes or lanyards while reducing the risk of trapping, sticking or fraying during use.

3. In addition, our Rescue Cages and Stretcher Cages are now available with optional stretcher mounting brackets. These allow a stretcher to be stored safely off the floor of the cage while keeping it easily accessible when required, improving both safety and organisation during emergency response situations.

Continuous Improvement Across Our Fleet

As part of our commitment to continuous improvement and customer safety:

  • All newly manufactured Access, Stretcher and Rescue Cages now include these upgraded features as standard.
  • Our stock of hire fleet is currently being retrofitted, with upgrades also being carried out when cages are returned from hire at one of our regional locations around the UK.
  • This process ensures that equipment in circulation continues to meet the latest safety expectations and compliance requirements.

New Product Innovation – Coming Soon

We’ve developed a new Large (12-Person) Rescue Cage, similar to the 12-Person Access Cage but with fully enclosed mesh sides around the top section, stretcher access, stretcher mounting brackets and a designated harness attachment point per individual in the cage. This Large Rescue Cage is launching soon.

Supporting Safer Lifting Operations

When using people cages, it is essential to have confidence that the equipment in use has been designed with safety, compliance and real site conditions in mind.

These latest upgrades reflect Conquip’s ongoing commitment to improving lifting equipment and supporting safer working practices across the built environment industry.

When you choose our personnel cages, you can be confident that you are using equipment designed to meet the highest standards of safety and compliance.

FAQs:

What Makes a Cage Compliant?

  • Sides enclosed up to 500mm high as per 5.6.1 of BS EN 14502-1:2010.
  • Free foot space to avoid crushing hazard as set out in 5.4.6 of BS EN 14502-1:2010.
  • Chains must be rated to at least 8x (weight of the cage + cage lifting capacity) as per 5.3.1 of BS EN 14502-1:2010.

Do your Personnel Cages comply with BS EN 14502-1:2010?

  • Yes, this range of cages comply with BS EN 14502-1:2010, BS EN ISO 12100:2010 and BS 8681:2024, which are set by the British Standards Institution.

Do all your cages comply with LOLER?

  • Yes, where applicable, our cages comply with LOLER regulations. It’s worth noting that all applicable lifting equipment should be inspected at least every 6 months, and this can be more frequent depending on usage, to comply with LOLER. As part of Conquip Covered, our range of after-sales services, our Engineers can carry out inspections on any lifting equipment and issue Reports of Thorough Examination.

Browse our range of personnel cages.