Cage Ladders

Aluminium cage ladder access systems

Anchor Safe is Australia’s leading provider of aluminium cage ladder access systems, offering comprehensive system design, ladder installation, and height safety certification services. Anchor Safe cage ladders are highly cost-effective, maintenance-free and available across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Albury, and their surrounding regions.

Every Anchor Safe access system is designed to suit the specific needs of your site by our experienced and highly trained height safety specialists. Our expert team of accredited installers will install and certify your system to ensure you meet all relevant Australian height safety standards. We’re confident in the quality of our work, so all our height safety systems come backed by our 10-year product & installation warranty.

For more information on cage ladders or to organise a free quote, contact our friendly team

Australian designed and built aluminium caged access ladders

Anchor Safe are accredited installers of Kattsafe aluminium cage ladder systems. These modular systems offer seamless integration with ladder cages, landing platforms, roof walkways, and guardrails for enhanced safety and compliance. Kattsafe ladders are highly adaptable to suit almost any application which ensures our design team can customise the system to suit the unique safety and access needs of any building.

Angled Cage Ladders

Angled cage ladders are suitable for primary access to ceilings & main roof areas between 3.5 and 6.0 metres in height. Warehouses & industrial buildings will often use these systems to enhance the efficiency of access for contractors and maintenance personnel.

The angle of the ladder provides an easier-to-use and lower-risk access solution compared with vertical cage ladder variants while providing additional protection and stability for the user through the cage enclosure. This combination ensures enhanced safety and ease of use, particularly when carrying equipment or gear.

Suspended Angled Cage Ladders

Suspended angled cage ladders are suitable as a primary access solution for heights of 3.5 metres or more with a change of direction platform required above 6.0 metres. Suspended ladders are particularly suitable for high-security areas such as large shopping centres where preventing unauthorised access is important.

Suspended angled cage ladders are typically mounted to an overhead structure, such as a wall, ceiling, or roof. The angled design of the ladder provides an easier-to-use and lower-risk access solution compared with vertical cage ladder variants while providing additional protection and stability for the user through the cage enclosure.

Vertical Cage Ladders

Vertical caged ladders offer access to ceilings and roof areas up to 6.0 meters without requiring a fall arrest system. They are ideal for safe and easy access to elevated areas, including rooftops, ceiling spaces, and maintenance platforms. These ladders feature a unique rung design, providing a high level of safety and confidence for maintenance personnel.

Rated to support up to 150 kg, these ladders come in multiple configurations and with prefabricated modular components allowing for easy on-site assembly. They are available with mounting options for both metal deck and concrete floors.

Suspended Vertical Cage Ladders

Suspended vertical cage ladders allow workers to access elevated areas that may not be reachable by traditional floor-mounted ladders. They are especially useful in situations where there are space constraints or obstacles on the ground. The cage enclosure on suspended vertical cage ladders surrounds the ladder rungs, providing an added level of safety, and acting as a physical barrier to prevent falls and enhance stability while climbing or descending.

Cage Ladder with Platform

A cage ladder with a platform is a specialised type of ladder that incorporates a platform with a surrounding cage enclosure. These systems are used for access solutions over 6.0 metres in height.

The platform on a cage ladder serves as a resting point which is required for heights over 6.0 metres in accordance with the AS1657. Anchor Safe will recommend platforms at less than 6-metre intervals depending on the specific risk assessment of the application.

Cage Ladder Benefits

  • Specially designed rung profile for comfort and easy use & options for powder coating to match surrounding structures.

    Modular System

    Specially designed rung profile for comfort and easy use & options for powder coating to match surrounding structures.

  • Prefabricated, modular components ensure simple & rapid installation saving time on site.

    Cost Effective

    Prefabricated, modular components ensure simple & rapid installation saving time on site.

  • Compliant to all relevant Australian height safety standards including AS 1657:2018.

    Complete Compliance

    Compliant to all relevant Australian height safety standards including AS 1657:2018.

  •  Non-corrosive materials, locally designed and manufactured from high strength industrial grade aluminium.

    Maintenance Free

    Non-corrosive materials, locally designed and manufactured from high strength industrial grade aluminium.

  • Seamlessly integrates with other height safety equipment including platforms, guardrails, walkways, and fall arrest systems.

    Integrates with Other Systems

    Seamlessly integrates with other height safety equipment including platforms, guardrails, walkways, and fall arrest systems.

Cage Ladder Resource Hub

The Australian Standards for access ladders are laid out in AS1657:2018 stating the minimal requirements & exact measurements that an access ladder system must comply with. View Anchor Safe’s training & specification guides to access ladder requirements according to the Australian Standards.

Safe use of Ladders Fact Sheet

Cage Ladder Technical Drawing

Vertical Ladder technical Drawing

The experts in cage ladder system design, installation, and certification

The design of a cage ladder system takes careful planning and understanding of the Australian Standards, Legislation, and Codes of Practice.

Anchor Safe’s team of highly trained and experienced height safety system designers will assess your site’s specific needs and create a system that complies with AS1657:2018 and the Working at Heights Associations (WAHA) industry code for stairways and ladders.

We provide ongoing recertification and maintenance plans in line with height safety regulations to ensure continued compliance and safety.

Caged roof ladders in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide & Albury

Anchor Safe offers comprehensive height safety services to take the pressure off building owners and managers, ensure compliance, and keep workers safe. We’re a trusted partner, not a player – offering convenient and cost-effective solutions for height safety management.

  • Cage ladder systems designed by accredited and highly experienced height safety system designers
  • Cage ladder systems installed by highly experienced and accredited height safety installation teams
  • All components come backed by our 10-year product and installation warranty
  • Competitive pricing from Australia’s leading height safety company
  • Full compliance with Australian codes, standards and legislation
  • Total height safety management from a trusted partner

Anchor Safe is a recognised member of the WAHA (Working At Heights Association) and is among the most highly accredited and certified height safety companies in Australia. With ongoing compliance management and maintenance services, you can rest assured that your building or work site is completely compliant and your workers at height are safe.

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Cage Ladder FAQ’s

  • Do I need specific training to use a cage ladder?

    Yes, specific training is necessary to use a cage ladder safely. Proper training helps users understand ladder safety, climbing techniques, and how to navigate the cage enclosure correctly, ensuring safe and effective use of the ladder.

  • How do I choose the right cage ladder for my workplace?

    To choose the right cage ladder for your workplace, consider factors such as the required height, weight capacity, material, compliance with safety standards, and the specific environment where the ladder will be used. Conduct a risk assessment and speak to Anchor Safe for expert advice to ensure the ladder meets your workplace’s safety requirements.

  • How high can a cage ladder be before a rest platform is required?

    A caged ladder can extend up to 6 metres between platforms. Considerations for rest platforms less than 6 metre intervals should be considered in relation to risk and tasks being done.

  • How often should cage ladders be inspected?

    Inspection and certification are required every 12 months by a competent person in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications and requirements of Australian Standards AS/NZS 1891 and AS/NZS 5532.

  • What Australian standards apply to cage ladders?

    The Australian Standards that apply to cage ladders are AS 1657:2018 Fixed Platforms, Walkways, Stairways, and Ladders – Design, Construction, and Installation. This standard provides guidelines for the design, construction, and installation of fixed platforms, walkways, stairways, and ladders, including cage ladders, to ensure safety in industrial and commercial settings.

  • When does a ladder require a cage?

    WAHA industry code states that where there is a vertical distance between landings greater than 3.5 metres, fall protection must be provided by one of the following means: a cage or fall arrest system.

    Each Australian state will have specific requirements for when a cage is required on a ladder. It should be noted that some states do not accept cages as a form of fall protection. Speak to our expert team for advice on your specific situation.

  • Why do ladders have cages?

    Caged ladders provide enhanced safety during vertical ascent and descent. Caged ladders provide passive fall protection via the physical barrier of the cage which can be necessary for regulatory compliance. They also offer additional points of contact and an increased sense of security and comfort for the user. A ladder with a cage also enables the ladder to be locked to prevent unauthorised access.

Alternatives to Cage Ladders

Vertical Ladder with Fall Arrest System

A vertical ladder with fall arrest is a specialised ladder designed for accessing elevated areas, combined with a fall arrest system. The fall arrest system typically includes a harness, lanyard, and a vertical static line providing an added layer of protection to prevent falls or limit their consequences if they occur.

Vertical ladders with fall arrest systems provide an active fall protection system, offering continuous protection to the user but this comes with the need for specialised safety gear and training. Cage ladders offer only passive protection through their cage enclosure but may ‘funnel’ the fall to the base of the ladder, causing serious injury.

Step-Type Ladders

Step-type ladders are generally used where less frequent access is required and are often used where there is insufficient physical space for access stair systems. A step-type ladder is generally easier to climb than a rung-type caged ladder however operators will need to face the ladder when ascending or descending. This can pose a risk especially when descending the ladder as the angle can sometimes confuse the operator on which way to descend the ladder.

A warning notice must be shown at the top of the ladder warning the user to face the ladder when descending.