1910.178(m)(1): No Driving Trucks Toward People at Benches
Employers must make sure powered industrial trucks are not driven up to anyone standing in front of a bench or other fixed object.
Key takeaways
- 1910.178(m)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 28 times in the last 3 years, in 28 inspections, with $200,474 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (3), WI (3), IL (3).
- Related part: 1910.178(m) Truck operations (476 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.178(m)(1) 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
(1) Trucks shall not be driven up to anyone standing in front of a bench or other fixed object. 28 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(m)(1).
At 2:45 p.m. on December 6, 2024, Employee #1 was assisting with the unloading of granite slabs when seven slabs fell onto the employee. The employee sustainedfatal crushing injuries as a result of being struck by the falling slabs.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 11 |
Top states: TX (3), WI (3), IL (3), OH (3), NJ (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| KIRCHHOFF AUTOMOTIVE WAVERLY, INC. | WAVERLY, OH | $16,550 |
| SYSCO KANSAS CITY, INC. | OLATHE, KS | $16,500 |
| NIBCO OF VIRGINIA, INC. | STUARTS DRAFT, VA | $15,875 |
| PTS- POWER TEMP SYSTEMS, INC. | HOUSTON, TX | $14,895 |
| JOHNSONVILLE, LLC | SHEBOYGAN FALLS, WI | $11,585 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.178(m)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.178(m)(1).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.178(m) Truck operations 476 citations
- 1910.178(m)(5) 211 citations
- 1910.178(m)(5)(i) 102 citations
- 1910.178(m)(5)(iii) 84 citations
- 1910.178(m)(2) 82 citations
- 1910.178(m)(3) 58 citations
- 1910.178(m)(7) 42 citations
- 1910.178(m)(5)(ii) 25 citations
- 1910.178(m)(4) 23 citations
- 1910.178(m)(6) 15 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
Can a forklift be driven up to someone at a bench?
No. Trucks shall not be driven up to anyone standing in front of a bench or other fixed object.
Why does a fixed object matter?
A person standing in front of a fixed object has no room to get out of the way.
Who does this rule apply to?
Powered industrial truck operations under 1910.178.
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.