1910.178(n)(8): Safe Forklift Travel Speed
Powered industrial truck operators must, under all travel conditions, drive at a speed that lets them bring the truck to a stop in a safe manner.
Key takeaways
- 1910.178(n)(8) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 12 times in the last 3 years, in 12 inspections, with $66,906 in current penalties.
- Most citations: IA (3), TN (2), OH (2).
- Related part: 1910.178(n) Traveling (242 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.178(n)(8) 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
(8) Under all travel conditions the truck shall be operated at a speed that will permit it to be brought to a stop in a safe manner. 12 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.178.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Top states: IA (3), TN (2), OH (2), TX (1), OK (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| PET FOOD EXPERTS, LLC | CUMBERLAND, RI | $20,257 |
| HY-VEE, INC. | CUMMING, IA | $10,050 |
| PETCO ANIMAL SUPPLIES STORES, INC. DBA PETCO | AURORA, CO | $8,512 |
| UFP BLANCHESTER, LLC. | BLANCHESTER, OH | $8,109 |
| POLYGROUP NORTH AMERICA, INC. | EL PASO, TX | $6,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.178(n)(8), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Evaluation of what is considered a safe speed to operate powered industrial trucks (forklifts) (2004-11-04)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.178(n) Traveling 242 citations
- 1910.178(n)(6) 95 citations
- 1910.178(n)(4) 76 citations
- 1910.178(n)(1) 26 citations
- 1910.178(n)(7) 16 citations
- 1910.178(n)(7)(iii) 14 citations
- 1910.178(n)(15) 3 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
How fast may a forklift travel?
At a speed that will permit it to be brought to a stop in a safe manner under all travel conditions.
Does this rule set a miles-per-hour limit?
No. It requires a speed that allows a safe stop for the conditions.
Does the safe speed change with conditions?
Yes. The rule applies under all travel conditions, so the operator must adjust for each one.
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.