1910.178(o): Safe Forklift Loads
Forklift operators may handle only stable or safely arranged loads within the truck's rated capacity, and must adjust long or high loads that may affect capacity. Forks go under the load as far as possible with the mast tilted back to stabilize it, and trucks with attachments are run as partially loaded even when empty. Tilting forward with the forks raised is prohibited except to pick up a load or to set it over a rack or stack.
Key takeaways
- 1910.178(o) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 193 times in the last 3 years, in 174 inspections, with $1,100,899 in current penalties.
- 12 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (33), OH (19), IL (14).
- Related part: 1910.178(o)(1) (152 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.178(o) ("Loading") is one requirement inside 1910.178 Powered industrial trucks, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart N). It includes 6 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
(o) Loading. 193 citations
(1) Only stable or safely arranged loads shall be handled. Caution shall be exercised when handling off-center loads which cannot be centered. Open (o)(1) 152 citations
(2) Only loads within the rated capacity of the truck shall be handled. Open (o)(2) 24 citations
(3) The long or high (including multiple-tiered) loads which may affect capacity shall be adjusted. Open (o)(3) 3 citations
(4) Trucks equipped with attachments shall be operated as partially loaded trucks when not handling a load.
(5) A load engaging means shall be placed under the load as far as possible; the mast shall be carefully tilted backward to stabilize the load. Open (o)(5) 10 citations
(6) Extreme care shall be used when tilting the load forward or backward, particularly when high tiering. Tilting forward with load engaging means elevated shall be prohibited except to pick up a load. An elevated load shall not be tilted forward except when the load is in a deposit position over a rack or stack. When stacking or tiering, only enough backward tilt to stabilize the load shall be used. 4 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.178.
Injuries linked to this rule
12 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.178(o).
At 12:00 a.m. on February 27, 2025, Employee #1 was walking through the pedestrian walkway at the entrance of a facility when an unstable load fell froma narrow aisle reach truck and struck the employee. The employee sustained fatalinjuries.
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 | 6 |
| 2024 | 70 |
| 2025 | 74 |
| 2026 | 43 |
Top states: TX (33), OH (19), IL (14), NJ (12), NY (10)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. POSTAL SERVICE | NORTH READING, MA | $70,938 |
| 107772 - SPECTRO ALLOYS CORPORATION | ROSEMOUNT, MN | $39,600 |
| ARCHITECTURAL SURFACES GROUP, LLC | BAYTOWN, TX | $33,100 |
| TINDALL CORPORATION | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $33,100 |
| 110623 - ELEGANTE SURFACES LLC | MANKATO, MN | $25,000 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.178(o), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.178(o)(1) 152 citations
- 1910.178(o)(2) 24 citations
- 1910.178(o)(5) 10 citations
- 1910.178(o)(3) 3 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Can a forklift carry a load over its rated capacity?
No. Only loads within the rated capacity of the truck shall be handled.
When may an elevated load be tilted forward?
Only when the load is in a deposit position over a rack or stack.
How should a truck with an attachment be operated when empty?
As a partially loaded truck when not handling a load.
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.