1910.178(q)(6): No Unapproved Forklift Modifications
Powered industrial trucks must not be altered so that parts are in different positions than when received from the manufacturer, nor have parts added or removed, except as paragraph (q)(12) allows. Extra counterweighting of fork trucks is not allowed unless approved by the truck manufacturer.
Key takeaways
- 1910.178(q)(6) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 36 times in the last 3 years, in 36 inspections, with $104,418 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TX (5), CT (3), PA (3).
- Related part: 1910.178(q) Maintenance of industrial trucks (897 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.178(q)(6) 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
(6) Industrial trucks shall not be altered so that the relative positions of the various parts are different from what they were when originally received from the manufacturer, nor shall they be altered either by the addition of extra parts not provided by the manufacturer or by the elimination of any parts, except as provided in paragraph (q)(12) of this section. Additional counterweighting of fork trucks shall not be done unless approved by the truck manufacturer. 36 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.178.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 | 8 |
Top states: TX (5), CT (3), PA (3), NE (2), OR (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ERIC HAMILTON | MANCHESTER, TN | $25,000 |
| STRATIS VISUALS LLC | TORRINGTON, CT | $11,585 |
| W. SILVER RECYCLING, INC. | DONNA, TX | $8,711 |
| RAIL MODAL GROUP LLC | FREMONT, NE | $8,511 |
| WESGLASS INC. | CASPER, WY | $7,813 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.178(q)(6), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.178(q) Maintenance of industrial trucks 897 citations
- 1910.178(q)(7) 647 citations
- 1910.178(q)(1) 201 citations
- 1910.178(q)(5) 8 citations
Get your crew competent
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Frequently asked questions
Can we add counterweight to a forklift?
Not unless approved by the truck manufacturer.
Can parts be added or removed from a forklift?
No, except as provided in 1910.178(q)(12).
Can parts be moved to different positions?
No. Trucks shall not be altered so the relative positions of parts differ from when originally received from the manufacturer.
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.