1910.178(o)(2): Forklift Loads Within Rated Capacity
Employers must make sure only loads within the rated capacity of the truck are handled.
Key takeaways
- 1910.178(o)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 24 times in the last 3 years, in 24 inspections, with $111,872 in current penalties.
- 3 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (7), IL (2), PA (2).
- Related part: 1910.178(o) Loading (193 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.178(o)(2) 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
(2) Only loads within the rated capacity of the truck shall be handled. 24 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(o)(2).
At 8:15 a.m. on January 30, 2025, Employee #1 was replacing burst panels on thebucket conveyor when a flash fire occurred as the top burst panel was removed. Employee #1 was struck by the flash fire and died from the injuries sustained bythe flash fire.
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 |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: TX (7), IL (2), PA (2), ID (2), NV (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ARCHITECTURAL SURFACES GROUP, LLC | BAYTOWN, TX | $16,550 |
| TINDALL CORPORATION | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $16,550 |
| 107772 - SPECTRO ALLOYS CORPORATION | ROSEMOUNT, MN | $13,200 |
| TRAXYS PROCESSING INC | BURNSVILLE, MS | $11,585 |
| STERLING SHIPYARD LLC | PORT NECHES, TX | $8,193 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.178(o)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.178(o)(2).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.178(o) Loading 193 citations
- 1910.178(o)(1) 152 citations
- 1910.178(o)(5) 10 citations
- 1910.178(o)(3) 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
What loads may a forklift handle?
Only loads within the rated capacity of the truck.
Where is the rated capacity found?
On the truck's capacity rating.
Who is responsible?
The employer, through its operators.
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 2026-10-21
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.