All of my Crown Rc5500 and 5700 lifts are exactly that with a cascade clamp set up it was plug N play and beyond easy
A dedicated clamp attachment hydraulically locks when you grip the load. It won't unclamp until it sees hydraulic pressure in the unclamp side of the circuit. Side-shifters don't have this feature.
Sounds like you're talking about fork positioners, not side shifters but the same logic applies. They don't clamp well, and you're probably damaging the equipment using them that way.
You'd probably lose your job but you could offer to call OSHA to decide the question.
You are correct to question this. In general, side shifters are not designed to be used as clamps.
The primary function of a side shifter is to move the forks laterally for positioning the load, and the hydraulic cylinders and frame structure are intended for side movement rather than continuous clamping force. Using a side shifter to clamp loads may create uneven pressure, reduce attachment life, and in some cases may cause damage to the cylinders or frame, especially if the load requires regular gripping or secure holding.
For applications where gripping or holding loads is required, a dedicated clamp attachment is the proper solution. Clamp attachments are specifically engineered to provide controlled clamping force and safe load handling for products such as cartons, paper rolls, bales, appliances, drums, and many other non-palletized loads.
This post contains images that are pending approval
If you go to the Cascade web site you might find some documentation to support this.
Is there any documentation or regulation I can site to my employer so they can force fork lift drivers to stop using it in this way?
Side shifts are not designed to be used as clamps. Mechanically they are not strong enough. The hydraulic circuit is not a clamping circuit so it is unsafe to use it as such.