1926.602(c)(1)(vi): Construction Industrial Trucks Meet ANSI B56.1
All industrial trucks in use in construction must meet the applicable design, construction, stability, inspection, testing, maintenance and operation requirements of ANSI B56.1-1969, Safety Standards for Powered Industrial Trucks.
Key takeaways
- 1926.602(c)(1)(vi) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 171 times in the last 3 years, in 171 inspections, with $409,634 in current penalties.
- 6 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MD (24), VA (18), NJ (17).
- Related part: 1926.602(c)(1) (389 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.602(c)(1)(vi) is one requirement inside 1926.602 Material handling equipment, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart O). 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
(vi) All industrial trucks in use shall meet the applicable requirements of design, construction, stability, inspection, testing, maintenance, and operation, as defined in American National Standards Institute B56.1-1969, Safety Standards for Powered Industrial Trucks. 171 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.602.
Injuries linked to this rule
6 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.602(c)(1)(vi).
At 1:03 p.m. on August 22, 2024, an employee working as a steel worker for a construction contractor was wrapping a synthetic sling around a steel beam. A coworker operating a rough terrain forklift adjusted the forks stabilizing the beam in an upright position. This…
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 | 12 |
| 2024 | 59 |
| 2025 | 58 |
| 2026 | 42 |
Top states: MD (24), VA (18), NJ (17), TN (15), NH (13)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| PC CONSTRUCTION COMPANY | SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT | $17,000 |
| BEYOND IRON CONSTRUCTION LLC | ELLABELL, GA | $12,413 |
| TPC ROOFING LLC | DES MOINES, NM | $11,901 |
| PARKWAY CONSTRUCTION & ARCHITECTURE, LP | HAMPTON, VA | $11,010 |
| BASE INTERNATIONAL INC. | EL PASO, TX | $8,500 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.602(c)(1)(vi), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Applicable standards to lifting personnel on a platform supported by a rough-terrain forklift. (2001-11-27)
- Forklifts in construction: elevating personnel and operator training. (1999-09-30)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.602(c)(1) 389 citations
- 1926.602(c) Lifting and hauling equipment (other than equipment covered under subpart N of this part) 389 citations
- 1926.602(c)(1)(ii) 111 citations
- 1926.602(c)(1)(viii) 53 citations
- 1926.602(c)(1)(viii)(A) 48 citations
- 1926.602(c)(1)(vii) 33 citations
- 1926.602(c)(1)(i) 20 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
What standard must construction forklifts meet?
ANSI B56.1-1969, Safety Standards for Powered Industrial Trucks.
What areas does it cover?
Design, construction, stability, inspection, testing, maintenance and operation.
Does this apply to all industrial trucks?
Yes, all industrial trucks in use.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.602 (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 2026-10-19
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.