1910.178(q)(7): Daily Forklift Examination
Employers must examine powered industrial trucks before placing them in service and not use them if any condition affects safety. The examination must be done at least daily, or after each shift when trucks run around the clock, and defects must be reported and corrected immediately.
Key takeaways
- 1910.178(q)(7) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 647 times in the last 3 years, in 647 inspections, with $981,209 in current penalties.
- 11 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: WI (48), IL (36), OH (32).
- 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)(7) 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
(7) Industrial trucks shall be examined before being placed in service, and shall not be placed in service if the examination shows any condition adversely affecting the safety of the vehicle. Such examination shall be made at least daily. 647 citations
Where industrial trucks are used on a round-the-clock basis, they shall be examined after each shift. Defects when found shall be immediately reported and corrected.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.178.
Injuries linked to this rule
11 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.178(q)(7).
At 7:00 p.m. on February 24, 2025, Employee #1 entered a grain bin while operating an auger and became caught in the sweep auger. The employee was fatally injured.
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 | 47 |
| 2024 | 252 |
| 2025 | 219 |
| 2026 | 129 |
Top states: WI (48), IL (36), OH (32), TX (31), TN (29)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| HOME DEPOT USA INC | DANVERS, MA | $65,027 |
| HOME DEPOT USA INC | DANVERS, MA | $56,742 |
| ACCELERATED USA | HOUSTON, TX | $16,550 |
| UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE | NEW CASTLE, DE | $16,550 |
| THE KEIM COMPANY | BAINBRIDGE, OH | $16,131 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.178(q)(7), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Inspection requirements for powered industrial trucks not used for significant time periods. (2005-03-03)
- 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)
- Powered Industrial Trucks: examination prior to being placed in service; evaluations conducted orally versus written; multi-level evaluations; seatbelt use. (2004-07-28)
- Pre-operation forklift examinations are not required to be written. (2000-05-09)
- Powered industrial truck examinations do not have to be documented. (2000-02-07)
- Fork inspection requirements for powered industrial trucks. (1999-10-22)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.178(q) Maintenance of industrial trucks 897 citations
- 1910.178(q)(1) 201 citations
- 1910.178(q)(6) 36 citations
- 1910.178(q)(5) 8 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 often must a forklift be checked?
At least daily before being placed in service, or after each shift if used around the clock.
Can I use a forklift with a defect?
Not if the defect adversely affects the safety of the vehicle.
What do I do if I find a defect?
Report it immediately so it can be corrected.
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.