1910.178(a)(4): No Forklift Modifications Without Approval
Customers and users must not make modifications or additions to a powered industrial truck that affect its capacity and safe operation without the manufacturer's prior written approval. When approved changes are made, capacity, operation and maintenance plates, tags or decals must be updated to match.
Key takeaways
- 1910.178(a)(4) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 554 times in the last 3 years, in 553 inspections, with $1,609,723 in current penalties.
- 17 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: WI (44), FL (33), MD (32).
- Related part: 1910.178(a) General requirements (1,193 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.178(a)(4) is one requirement inside 1910.178 Powered industrial trucks, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart N). The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(4) Modifications and additions which affect capacity and safe operation shall not be performed by the customer or user without manufacturers prior written approval. Capacity, operation, and maintenance instruction plates, tags, or decals shall be changed accordingly. 554 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.178.
Injuries linked to this rule
17 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.178(a)(4).
At approximately 3:56 p.m. on February 26, 2025, employees were in the process of removing a Blowout Preventer (BOP) from a wellhead using a forklift and rigging. After completing the rigging process, Employee #1 was assisting with the lift when the chain securing the BOP…
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 36 |
| 2024 | 206 |
| 2025 | 183 |
| 2026 | 129 |
Top states: WI (44), FL (33), MD (32), OH (29), TN (28)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| MW MANUFACTURERS, INC | DENVER, CO | $32,514 |
| RN-GAINESVILLE, LLC | GAINESVILLE, FL | $23,643 |
| COWAN GROUP ENGINEERING | SASAKWA, OK | $16,550 |
| SILVER BAY SEAFOODS, LLC | FALSE PASS, AK | $16,550 |
| TINDALL CORPORATION | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $16,550 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.178(a)(4), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Installation of strobe lights on forklifts as an additional warning device for forklifts used in vessel holds. (2004-12-21)
- Written approval requirements for powered industrial truck modifications and additions that affect capacity or safe operation (2004-03-30)
- Powered industrial truck addition/modification approval and marking requirements (2002-07-03)
- Forklifts: free rigging requires manufacturer approval. (1999-10-22)
- Powered industrial truck modifications and approval. (1997-04-11)
- Evaluation of plan to retrofit fork lift equipment with an operator safety restraint system. (1986-11-17)
- Lifting capacity on mechanical material handling equipment may not be changed without the manufacturer's prior written approval. (1985-03-05)
- Use of fork extensions on forklifts. (1980-10-02)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.178(a) General requirements 1,193 citations
- 1910.178(a)(6) 365 citations
- 1910.178(a)(5) 263 citations
- 1910.178(a)(2) 5 citations
- 1910.178(a)(3) 4 citations
- 1910.178(a)(1) 2 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
Can we add attachments to a forklift?
Not if they affect capacity and safe operation, unless the manufacturer gives prior written approval.
What happens after an approved change?
Capacity, operation and maintenance instruction plates, tags or decals must be changed accordingly.
Why does approval matter?
Changes can affect how much the truck can safely lift and how it handles.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.178 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.