1910.178(l)(3)(ii): Forklift Training on Workplace Topics
Powered industrial truck training must cover workplace topics, including surface conditions, load composition and stability, stacking and unstacking, pedestrian traffic, narrow aisles, hazardous locations, ramps and slopes, closed areas where carbon monoxide or diesel exhaust can build up, and other unique hazards that affect safe operation.
Key takeaways
- 1910.178(l)(3)(ii) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 61 times in the last 3 years, in 56 inspections, with $278,825 in current penalties.
- 4 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (10), GA (7), OH (6).
- Related part: 1910.178(l) (5,743 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.178(l)(3)(ii) is one requirement inside 1910.178 Powered industrial trucks, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart N). It includes 9 sub-paragraphs. 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
(ii) Workplace-related topics: 61 citations
(A) Surface conditions where the vehicle will be operated; 7 citations
(B) Composition of loads to be carried and load stability; 5 citations
(C) Load manipulation, stacking, and unstacking; 7 citations
(D) Pedestrian traffic in areas where the vehicle will be operated; 5 citations
(E) Narrow aisles and other restricted places where the vehicle will be operated; 3 citations
(F) Hazardous (classified) locations where the vehicle will be operated; 1 citations
(G) Ramps and other sloped surfaces that could affect the vehicle's stability; Open (l)(3)(ii)(g) 10 citations
(H) Closed environments and other areas where insufficient ventilation or poor vehicle maintenance could cause a buildup of carbon monoxide or diesel exhaust; 2 citations
(I) Other unique or potentially hazardous environmental conditions in the workplace that could affect safe operation. Open (l)(3)(ii)(i) 15 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.178.
Injuries linked to this rule
4 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.178(l)(3)(ii).
At 7:00 a.m. on October 28, 2024, an employee working as as a Moffett forklift powered industrial vehicle (PIV) operator for a metal truss manufacturer was delivering a window to a residential location. As the employee backed the forklift down a driveway, it pivoted and…
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 | 1 |
| 2024 | 26 |
| 2025 | 15 |
| 2026 | 19 |
Top states: TX (10), GA (7), OH (6), WI (5), PA (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE | HENDERSON, NV | $40,000 |
| A. DUIE PYLE, INC. | WEST CHESTER, PA | $16,550 |
| WESCO DISTRIBUTION | OLATHE, KS | $16,131 |
| CONSTELLIUM MUSCLE SHOALS LLC | MUSCLE SHOALS, AL | $14,068 |
| JORDIM INTERNATIONAL, INC. | GRAPEVINE, TX | $12,769 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.178(l)(3)(ii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Competency of powered industrial truck trainers; training must be truck- and site-specific. (2000-04-10)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.178(l) 5,743 citations
- 1910.178(l)(1) Safe operation 2,028 citations
- 1910.178(l)(1)(i) 1,505 citations
- 1910.178(l)(6) Certification 1,445 citations
- 1910.178(l)(4) Refresher training and evaluation 1,345 citations
- 1910.178(l)(4)(iii) 1,126 citations
- 1910.178(l)(2) Training program implementation 505 citations
- 1910.178(l)(1)(ii) 504 citations
- 1910.178(l)(2)(ii) 437 citations
- 1910.178(l)(3) Training program content 196 citations
- 1910.178(l)(4)(ii) 168 citations
- 1910.178(l)(4)(ii)(B) 104 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
Must forklift training cover pedestrians?
Yes. Pedestrian traffic in areas where the vehicle will be operated is a required workplace topic.
Does training cover ramps?
Yes. Ramps and other sloped surfaces that could affect the vehicle's stability are included.
Is exhaust buildup a training topic?
Yes. Closed environments where poor ventilation or maintenance could cause buildup of carbon monoxide or diesel exhaust are covered.
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.