1910.178(p)(1): Remove Unsafe Forklifts from Service
Employers must take a powered industrial truck out of service whenever it is found to need repair, is defective or is unsafe in any way. The truck must stay out of service until it has been restored to safe operating condition.
Key takeaways
- 1910.178(p)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 594 times in the last 3 years, in 594 inspections, with $1,857,615 in current penalties.
- 8 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (48), FL (47), IL (31).
- Related part: 1910.178(p) Operation of the truck (595 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.178(p)(1) 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
(1) If at any time a powered industrial truck is found to be in need of repair, defective, or in any way unsafe, the truck shall be taken out of service until it has been restored to safe operating condition. 594 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.178.
Injuries linked to this rule
8 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.178(p)(1).
At 8:34 a.m. on February 20, 2025, Employee #1 and coworkers were closing a steel door mounted on a railing system with track wheels. While manually adjusting the door, one of the track wheels came off the rail, causing the door to jackknife. Three employees…
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 | 38 |
| 2024 | 238 |
| 2025 | 200 |
| 2026 | 118 |
Top states: TX (48), FL (47), IL (31), GA (30), TN (29)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| NOVAE | LOUISIANA, MO | $68,098 |
| ROSS EXPRESS LLC | BOSCAWEN, NH | $57,620 |
| HUTCHENS INDUSTRIES INC. | SEYMOUR, MO | $28,371 |
| ACCELERATED USA | HOUSTON, TX | $16,550 |
| OLDCASTLE APG SOUTH, INC. | ORLANDO, FL | $16,550 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.178(p)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Powered Industrial Truck Servicer Labeling Responsibilities for a Customer's Unsafe Powered Industrial Trucks (2013-04-04)
- Powered industrial trucks must not be placed into service, or must be removed from service, when any condition exists that adversely affects the safety of the vehicle (2004-09-13)
- Requirements for the sound level of a warning device (horn) located on a forklift (2004-08-13)
- Clarification of the Powered Industrial Truck (1910.178) standard's use of the terms "in need of repair," "defective," and "unsafe." (2004-06-17)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.178(p) Operation of the truck 595 citations
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Frequently asked questions
When must a forklift be taken out of service?
At any time it is found to be in need of repair, defective or in any way unsafe.
When can it go back into use?
Only after it has been restored to safe operating condition.
Does this cover small defects?
The rule covers any condition that makes the truck in need of repair, defective or in any way unsafe.
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.