1910.178(k): Securing Trucks and Railcars for Forklift Loading
Employers must set highway truck brakes and place wheel chocks under the rear wheels before powered industrial trucks board them, and provide wheel stops or other positive protection to keep railroad cars from moving during loading or unloading. Fixed jacks may be needed to support uncoupled semitrailers, and railcars must be protected from being moved while dockboards or bridge plates are in position.
Key takeaways
- 1910.178(k) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 40 times in the last 3 years, in 39 inspections, with $176,054 in current penalties.
- Most citations: FL (4), NC (4), OH (3).
- Related part: 1910.178(k)(1) (37 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.178(k) ("Trucks and railroad cars") is one requirement inside 1910.178 Powered industrial trucks, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart N). It includes 4 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
(k) Trucks and railroad cars. 40 citations
(1) The brakes of highway trucks shall be set and wheel chocks placed under the rear wheels to prevent the trucks from rolling while they are boarded with powered industrial trucks. Open (k)(1) 37 citations
(2) Wheel stops or other recognized positive protection shall be provided to prevent railroad cars from moving during loading or unloading operations. 1 citations
(3) Fixed jacks may be necessary to support a semitrailer and prevent upending during the loading or unloading when the trailer is not coupled to a tractor. Open (k)(3) 1 citations
(4) Positive protection shall be provided to prevent railroad cars from being moved while dockboards or bridge plates are in position. 1 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 | 2 |
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 | 11 |
Top states: FL (4), NC (4), OH (3), WI (3), GA (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| PROGRESSIVE CONVERTING, INC. | APPLETON, WI | $13,240 |
| GREEN-MEADOWS PAPER COMPANY | MASSILLON, OH | $12,656 |
| SMITH PACKING LLC | UTICA, NY | $9,680 |
| PHOENIX WAREHOUSE OF NJ, LLC | JERSEY CITY, NJ | $9,268 |
| LESSEREVIL LLC | DANBURY, CT | $9,268 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.178(k), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Enforcement of wheel chocking requirements in State Plan States. (2011-06-14)
- Clarification of OSHA's authority to enforce wheel chocking of commercial motor vehicles and related safety hazards at loading facilities. (2011-03-07)
- Use of jack stands in the stabilization of semi-trailers. (2008-04-14)
- Chocking requirements for trailers docked to buildings with downward approaches. (2005-11-08)
- Chocking of trailers at United States Postal Service facilities. (2005-09-14)
- Clarification of OSHA's CPL 2-1.30 regarding tractor trailer chocking. (1999-11-09)
- Trailer trucks must be restrained/chocked during forklift dock operations. (1998-03-04)
- The term "wheel chocks" and whether the employment of one chock would satisfy the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (1991-07-25)
- Interpretation of the meaning of "Fixed Jacks" on trailers (1991-03-19)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.178(k)(1) 37 citations
- 1910.178(k)(3) 1 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What must be done before a forklift drives into a highway truck?
The truck brakes must be set and wheel chocks placed under the rear wheels.
How are railroad cars kept from moving?
Wheel stops or other recognized positive protection must be provided during loading or unloading.
When are fixed jacks needed?
Fixed jacks may be necessary to support a semitrailer and prevent upending when the trailer is not coupled to a tractor.
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.