1910.178(l)(3)(i): Forklift Training: Truck-Related Topics
Employers must include truck-related topics in forklift operator training, covering the trucks the operator will be authorized to use. Topics include operating instructions and warnings, differences from a car, controls, engine or motor operation, steering, visibility, forks and attachments, capacity, stability, required inspection and maintenance, refueling or battery charging, operating limits, and other operator's manual instructions.
Key takeaways
- 1910.178(l)(3)(i) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 92 times in the last 3 years, in 88 inspections, with $362,600 in current penalties.
- 7 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: OH (9), PA (9), MO (7).
- Related part: 1910.178(l) (5,743 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.178(l)(3)(i) is one requirement inside 1910.178 Powered industrial trucks, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart N). It includes 13 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
(i) Truck-related topics: 92 citations
(A) Operating instructions, warnings, and precautions for the types of truck the operator will be authorized to operate; Open (l)(3)(i)(a) 14 citations
(B) Differences between the truck and the automobile;
(C) Truck controls and instrumentation: where they are located, what they do, and how they work; 1 citations
(D) Engine or motor operation;
(E) Steering and maneuvering; Open (l)(3)(i)(e) 1 citations
(F) Visibility (including restrictions due to loading); 1 citations
(G) Fork and attachment adaptation, operation, and use limitations; Open (l)(3)(i)(g) 16 citations
(H) Vehicle capacity; 1 citations
(I) Vehicle stability;
(J) Any vehicle inspection and maintenance that the operator will be required to perform; Open (l)(3)(i)(j) 15 citations
(K) Refueling and/or charging and recharging of batteries; 3 citations
(L) Operating limitations; 3 citations
(M) Any other operating instructions, warnings, or precautions listed in the operator's manual for the types of vehicle that the employee is being trained to operate. Open (l)(3)(i)(m) 31 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.178.
Injuries linked to this rule
7 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.178(l)(3)(i).
At 7:00 a.m. on October 28, 2024, an employee working as as a Moffett forklift powered industrial vehicle (PIV) operator for a metal truss manufacturer was delivering a window to a residential location. As the employee backed the forklift down a driveway, it pivoted and…
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 | 6 |
| 2024 | 36 |
| 2025 | 35 |
| 2026 | 15 |
Top states: OH (9), PA (9), MO (7), TX (6), WI (5)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| HELMERICH & PAYNE INTERNATIONAL DRILLING CO. | PECOS, TX | $17,000 |
| 159367 - MCLANE FOODSERVICE DISTRIBUTION, INC. | SALISBURY, NC | $16,550 |
| MCLANE EXPRESS, INC. | FORT WORTH, TX | $16,550 |
| THE HOME DEPOT, INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $16,550 |
| DEERE & COMPANY | MILAN, IL | $16,131 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.178(l)(3)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Competency of powered industrial truck trainers; training must be truck- and site-specific. (2000-04-10)
- Powered industrial truck requirements regarding "split-forking" and "bulldozing." (1999-11-02)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.178(l) 5,743 citations
- 1910.178(l)(1) Safe operation 2,028 citations
- 1910.178(l)(1)(i) 1,505 citations
- 1910.178(l)(6) Certification 1,445 citations
- 1910.178(l)(4) Refresher training and evaluation 1,345 citations
- 1910.178(l)(4)(iii) 1,126 citations
- 1910.178(l)(2) Training program implementation 505 citations
- 1910.178(l)(1)(ii) 504 citations
- 1910.178(l)(2)(ii) 437 citations
- 1910.178(l)(3) Training program content 196 citations
- 1910.178(l)(4)(ii) 168 citations
- 1910.178(l)(4)(ii)(B) 104 citations
Get your crew competent
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Frequently asked questions
Does training have to cover the specific trucks used?
Yes. It covers the types of truck the operator will be authorized to operate.
Is stability a required topic?
Yes. Vehicle capacity and vehicle stability are both required topics.
Must operators learn battery charging?
Yes. Refueling and/or charging and recharging of batteries is a required topic.
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.