1910.178(a)(3): Approval Label on Forklifts
Approved powered industrial trucks must bear a label or other identifying mark showing approval by the testing laboratory.
Key takeaways
- 1910.178(a)(3) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 4 times in the last 3 years, in 4 inspections, with $1,780 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Related part: 1910.178(a) General requirements (1,193 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.178(a)(3) 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
(3) Approved trucks shall bear a label or some other identifying mark indicating approval by the testing laboratory. See paragraph (a)(7) of this section and paragraph 405 of “American National Standard for Powered Industrial Trucks, Part II, ANSI B56.1-1969”, which is incorporated by reference in paragraph (a)(2) of this section and which provides that if the powered industrial truck is accepted by a nationally recognized testing laboratory it should be so marked. 4 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.178.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.178(a)(3).
At 3:28 p.m. on September 23, 2024, an employee was performing maintenance on a forklift. The employee was attempting to change the oil and filter using floor jacks and blocks. During the task, the floor jack slipped, causing the forklift to fall and crush the…
Where and how often it was cited
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.178(a)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.178(a)(3).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.178(a) General requirements 1,193 citations
- 1910.178(a)(4) 554 citations
- 1910.178(a)(6) 365 citations
- 1910.178(a)(5) 263 citations
- 1910.178(a)(2) 5 citations
- 1910.178(a)(1) 2 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What must an approved forklift have?
A label or other identifying mark indicating approval by the testing laboratory.
Why is the label needed?
It shows the truck has been approved by a testing laboratory.
What standard does the paragraph reference?
ANSI B56.1-1969, which provides that a truck accepted by a nationally recognized testing laboratory should be marked.
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.