When air brakes are caged, they cease to function. This means that the driver will have no control over their vehicle’s speed and stopping distance and must rely on manual braking techniques. Caging air brakes is a critical step when performing maintenance or repairs on the brake system of any heavy-duty truck or trailer. It prevents the possibility of an accidental release of compressed air that could cause serious injury or property damage if it were to occur while someone was working close by. In order for caging air brakes to be effective, it must be done properly according to industry standards; this includes checking all connections for leaks before beginning work, making sure there is no pressure in the lines before closing off the valve, and finally locking out all valves with a padlock so that only authorized personnel can re-open them again once repairs are complete.