OSHA Forklift Rules (Powered Industrial Trucks, 1910.178)

Forklifts and other powered industrial trucks, such as pallet jacks, order pickers, and reach trucks, are covered by 29 CFR 1910.178. Construction refers to the same rules through 1926.602(d).

Operator training and certification

• Only trained and evaluated operators may drive a powered industrial truck (1910.178(l)(1)).
• Training combines formal instruction, practical training, and an evaluation of the operator's performance in the actual workplace (1910.178(l)(2)).
• The employer must certify that each operator has been trained and evaluated. The certification includes the operator's name, training date, evaluation date, and the evaluator's name (1910.178(l)(6)).
• Operators must be re-evaluated at least every three years. Refresher training is required after an accident or near miss, unsafe operation, a poor evaluation, or a change in truck type or workplace conditions (1910.178(l)(4)).

Federal child labor rules separately prohibit workers under 18 from operating forklifts in non-agricultural jobs.

Daily inspections

Trucks must be examined before being placed in service, at least daily, or after each shift if used around the clock. Any truck with a defect affecting safe operation must be taken out of service until repaired (1910.178(q)(7)).

Operation rules that get cited

• Unauthorized modifications or attachments without manufacturer approval (1910.178(a)(4)).
• Riders on forks or trucks not designed for passengers (1910.178(m)(3)).
• Unattended trucks left with forks raised or the controls not neutralized (1910.178(m)(5)).
• Battery charging areas without proper ventilation, eyewash, or fire protection (1910.178(g)).

CiteSafe can flag obvious forklift hazards, such as damaged forks, missing data plates, riders, and unsafe loads, from a photo.