1910.178(a)(6): Forklift Nameplates and Markings
The user of a powered industrial truck must make sure all nameplates and markings are in place and kept readable.
Key takeaways
- 1910.178(a)(6) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 365 times in the last 3 years, in 365 inspections, with $370,788 in current penalties.
- 3 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: FL (31), WI (29), KS (27).
- 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)(6) 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
(6) The user shall see that all nameplates and markings are in place and are maintained in a legible condition. 365 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.178.
Injuries linked to this rule
3 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.178(a)(6).
At 7:00 p.m. on February 24, 2025, Employee #1 entered a grain bin while operating an auger and became caught in the sweep auger. The employee was fatally injured.
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 | 14 |
| 2024 | 125 |
| 2025 | 144 |
| 2026 | 82 |
Top states: FL (31), WI (29), KS (27), OR (26), TN (16)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| SCRAP MANAGEMENT INDUSTRIES INC. | KANSAS CITY, MO | $12,769 |
| JOHN DEERE WATERLOO OPERATIONS | WATERLOO, IA | $12,000 |
| RFX2024XT3633X0166 - HYDRAULIC REPAIR AND SUPPLY LLC | TUCSON, AZ | $11,524 |
| ABF FREIGHT SYSTEM, INC. | FAYETTEVILLE, AR | $10,924 |
| LEE BEVERAGE OF WISCONSIN LLC | EAU CLAIRE, WI | $10,427 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.178(a)(6), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.178(a)(6).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.178(a) General requirements 1,193 citations
- 1910.178(a)(4) 554 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
Who must keep forklift nameplates in place?
The user of the truck.
What must be done with nameplates and markings?
They must be in place and maintained in a legible condition.
Does this cover all markings?
Yes. The rule says all nameplates and markings.
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.