Abstract: A safety gate apparatus is provided which couples as a cost efficient and reliable gate for preventing falls and injury as well as a gate that can easily be opened by existing equipment such as a fork lift. The invention comprises a vertical sliding gate configured to move in a path of motion having at least a closed position and an open position. The vertical sliding gate remains in a closed, default position by an applied counter force created by one more elastic means. The sliding gate slides down to an open position by a downward force created by a fork lift or other machinery. The gate will automatically return to the default position when the downward force is removed.