1910.178(o)(5): Fork Placement and Mast Tilt
Forklift operators must place the load engaging means under the load as far as possible, and carefully tilt the mast backward to stabilize the load.
Key takeaways
- 1910.178(o)(5) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 10 times in the last 3 years, in 10 inspections, with $34,269 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (3), OH (2), TN (2).
- Related part: 1910.178(o) Loading (193 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.178(o)(5) 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
(5) A load engaging means shall be placed under the load as far as possible; the mast shall be carefully tilted backward to stabilize the load. 10 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(o)(5).
At 8:00 a.m. on December 14, 2024, an employee working as a production supervisor for a shipyard was moving a gangway in place at a moored vessel in drydock. The employee picked up the gangway using the forks of the forklift and began to drag…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Top states: TX (3), OH (2), TN (2), DE (1), WI (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| INGERSOLL-RAND INDUSTRIAL U.S., INC. | SHEBOYGAN, WI | $16,500 |
| PERDUE FARMS INCORPORATED | MILFORD, DE | $10,404 |
| HEAVY LIFT INC. | ELLABELL, GA | $4,965 |
| CARDINAL FG - GREENLAND PLANT | CHURCH HILL, TN | $2,400 |
| ELY ENTERPRISES, INC | CINCINNATI, OH | $0 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.178(o)(5), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.178(o)(5).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.178(o) Loading 193 citations
- 1910.178(o)(1) 152 citations
- 1910.178(o)(2) 24 citations
- 1910.178(o)(3) 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
How far should forks go under the load?
As far as possible.
What should I do with the mast?
Carefully tilt it backward to stabilize the load.
Why does this matter?
It helps stabilize the load.
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.