1910.178(m)(3): No Unauthorized Forklift Riders
Employers must not permit unauthorized personnel to ride on powered industrial trucks. Where riding is authorized, a safe place to ride must be provided.
Key takeaways
- 1910.178(m)(3) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 58 times in the last 3 years, in 58 inspections, with $378,551 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: NJ (7), TX (7), FL (6).
- 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)(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) Unauthorized personnel shall not be permitted to ride on powered industrial trucks. A safe place to ride shall be provided where riding of trucks is authorized. 58 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.178.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.178(m)(3).
At 9:18 a.m. on September 18, 2024, Employee #1 was unloading cardboard boxes when he fell from a load of boxes being carried by a forklift. He struck his head on the back of the truck near the tail lift, sustaining blunt force trauma to…
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 | 2 |
| 2024 | 18 |
| 2025 | 17 |
| 2026 | 21 |
Top states: NJ (7), TX (7), FL (6), IN (4), KY (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| RV RETAILER EAST, LLC | ALACHUA, FL | $165,514 |
| RAY S.F. INC | CARTERET, NJ | $16,550 |
| JR NEW ENERGY INC. | FORT WORTH, TX | $11,292 |
| DOGGETT FREIGHTLINER OF SOUTH TEXAS, LLC | COTULLA, TX | $10,758 |
| SPRATLIN BUILDING SUPPLY, INC. | BRUCE, MS | $9,500 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.178(m)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.178(m)(3).
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)(7) 42 citations
- 1910.178(m)(1) 28 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 coworker ride on a forklift?
Not unless riding is authorized, and then only in a safe place to ride.
What is required where riding is authorized?
A safe place to ride shall be provided.
Who cannot ride?
Unauthorized personnel.
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.