1910.178(n)(6): Forklift Driver Must Watch the Path
Employers must require forklift drivers to look in the direction of travel and keep a clear view of the path of travel.
Key takeaways
- 1910.178(n)(6) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 95 times in the last 3 years, in 95 inspections, with $585,856 in current penalties.
- 7 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: NJ (21), OH (9), TX (7).
- Related part: 1910.178(n) Traveling (242 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.178(n)(6) 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
(6) The driver shall be required to look in the direction of, and keep a clear view of the path of travel. 95 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(n)(6).
At 12:00 a.m. on January 31, 2025, an employee was walking from his tractor, when he was struck by a switcher vehicle being operated by another employee. He was transported to the hospital and admitted for treatment for a broken leg and other unknown injuries.…
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 | 7 |
| 2024 | 34 |
| 2025 | 30 |
| 2026 | 24 |
Top states: NJ (21), OH (9), TX (7), FL (7), IA (6)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| THE HOME DEPOT, INC. | VAUXHALL, NJ | $46,090 |
| PORT 32 TAMPA LLC | TAMPA, FL | $16,550 |
| U.S. POSTAL SERVICE | BOSTON, MA | $16,550 |
| R&L CARRIERS SHARED SERVICES LLC | TONAWANDA, NY | $16,131 |
| MAINFREIGHT, INC. | KEARNY, NJ | $16,131 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.178(n)(6), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.178(n)(6).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.178(n) Traveling 242 citations
- 1910.178(n)(4) 76 citations
- 1910.178(n)(1) 26 citations
- 1910.178(n)(7) 16 citations
- 1910.178(n)(7)(iii) 14 citations
- 1910.178(n)(8) 12 citations
- 1910.178(n)(15) 3 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
Where must a forklift driver look?
In the direction of travel.
Must the driver have a clear view?
Yes. The driver must keep a clear view of the path of travel.
Who must require this?
The employer.
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.