Saint-Alban, Québec, October 22, 2014 – Québec-based forklift and handling equipment manufacturer Vallée is pleased to announce the release of a free online calculator designed to track fork wear and remaining capacity.
Well-documented hazard
According to the CSST workers compensation board , forklifts are involved in 700 work-related accidents a year in Québec. In the U.S., OSHA estimates that in 2013 alone, forklifts caused 85 fatalities, 34,900 accidents resulting in serious injury and 61,800 minor incidents. Overloading and equipment failure are among the factors that contribute to forklift accidents. Which is why the CSST imposes strict safety practices, including using fork load capacity labels, performing routine daily inspections and a thorough examination every six months. Despite these precautions, wear from constant friction will cause forks to lose their thickness over time, and this will affect their ability to handle loads as intended (source CCHST ).
Risk prevention
Operators can help neutralize this hazard by constantly monitoring their forklift and fork capacity. Also, employers are responsible for maintaining a safe work environment. An app capable of tracking fork wear can serve as an added preventive measure. Although not intended as a substitute for expert advice, it can quickly and effectively provide a preliminary indication. You simply enter the initial capacity, original thickness and actual thickness of the forks, and the calculator will generate indispensable data such as wear rate and remaining capacity in both percentage and absolute values. The app also alerts you to replace your forks before they reach their critical wear level, and in addition to contributing to your safety process, also enables you to manage your forklift fleet and even order forks online. The app is available at http://vallee.ca/forks/ .
About Vallée
Founded in 1956, Vallée is the only designer and manufacturer of large capacity articulated four-wheel forklifts and industrial equipment in Canada. Our mission is to contribute to the success of our clients by providing them with customized solutions designed to improve productivity. We are proud of our “Made in Canada” products and their quality, dependability and performance. Vallée products have been serving the Canadian and U.S. markets for over 20 years.