June 9, 2015 is
National Forklift Safety Day in the USA, which serves as a focal point for manufacturers to highlight the safe use of forklifts and the importance of operator training. National Forklift Safety Day is recognized all over the United States, but an event aimed at educating customers, policymakers and the administration is taking place in Washington D.C. featuring speakers from OSHA as well as industry representatives.
Cascade recognizes National Forklift Safety Day and the importance of safe operating practices by highlighting two existing programs that demonstrate the company's commitment to workplace safety.
Cascade's Fork Safety Program:One of the keys to safe lift truck operations begins with inspecting the truck's forks for wear and damage. Forks will last a long time if treated properly, but since they can look as good when they are worn as when they are new, it's critical to know how to inspect them to determine if they are safe.
In support of OSHA's 1910.178 safety standard for powered industrial trucks, Cascade encourages daily inspection of upper and lower carriage and Sideshifter fork stops. Daily inspection should also include fork wear inspection. As part of an ongoing work place safety program,
Cascade has developed a Fork Safety Kit consisting of the Fork Safety Guide and Fork Wear Calipers to ensure your forks comply with the regulation and are safe for use. The Fork Safety Guide is patterned after the ANSI/ITSDF B-56.1 and ISO 5057 Fork Wear Standards. Contact Cascade for those forks that do not comply with the Fork Wear Standards. If fork stops are not present at each end of the lower or upper fork bar, contact Cascade for a Fork Stop Replacement Kit.
To order your Fork Safety Kit (the first one is free):USA - through the Cascade Parts Depot: 888 CASCADE (227-2233)
In North America, click here to
order them onlineCanada: 877 CASCADE (227-2233)
Europe: +39-045-8989111
(available in French, German, Italian, Spanish and Dutch)
Asia Pacific: Australia - 1-800-227-223
New Zealand - :+64-9-273-9136
Japan - +81-6-6420-9771
China - +86 (592) 651 2500
South Korea - +82-32-821-2051
India - +91 020 24325460
For more information about how to use your Fork Caliper for routine fork safety inspections, visit our Fork Inspection page at
www.cascorp.com or watch this helpful video.
Driver Training ProgramProper equipment is critical, but the highly skilled professional driver is the most important part of the material handling process. Since the driver is the key to making an attachment work most efficiently and productively,
Cascade created a Driver Training Video to provide the operator useful tips on how to operate Cascade attachments. These tips can help drivers increase productivity, efficiency and reduce overall product damage. It is not intended to replace certified training for the lift truck; operators should be training on proper operation of their lift truck by the lift truck manufacturer.
Cascade's Driver Training Video focuses on best practices for using Push/Pulls, Carton Clamps, Layer Pickers, Multiple Load Handlers and Paper Roll Clamps. In addition to detailed info about how to properly use each attachment and rules for safe driving practices, the video offers troubleshooting tips for solving common use issues and shows how to best configure loads, pick up and/or clamp loads, how high to lift loads and how to best maneuver loaded trucks during travel. In addition to attachment safety guidelines, the video also includes common sense practices, like not to use your forklift as a "man lift", as well as industry standards for setting control levers, and trailer and dock plate safety tips.
One of the most important aspects of the Driver Training video is to encourage daily safety inspections so the video offers guidelines about what to check before each use to ensure the attachment is in working order. When forklift operators are pressured to meet tight production schedules and demands, simple daily inspections may be neglected. Cascade's Driver Training Video provides a simple methodology for checking contact pad integrity, ensuring there are no oil/hydraulic leaks, loose hardware like bolts or hooks, that there is no damage, cracks and excessive wear and to check an ensure fittings are tight.
To obtain your copy of Cascade's Driver Training video, contact 800 CASCADE (227-2233) or order online at www.cascorp.com.Cascade Corporation, established in Portland (OR) in 1943 and with subsidiaries around the world, is the global leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of materials handling attachments, forks, accessories and related technologies. Their unmatched service, support and expertise, along with advanced damage reduction technology, flexible manufacturing, short lead times and quality products, positions them at the forefront of the material handling industry. For more company and product information visit the Cascade ShopFront