1926.602(c)(1)(vii): No Unauthorized Riders on Forklifts
Construction employers must not allow unauthorized people to ride on powered industrial trucks. Where riding is authorized, a safe place to ride must be provided.
Key takeaways
- 1926.602(c)(1)(vii) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 33 times in the last 3 years, in 33 inspections, with $111,085 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: KY (5), NJ (3), OH (2).
- 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)(vii) 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
(vii) 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. 33 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.602.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.602(c)(1)(vii).
At 3:00 p.m. on December 3, 2024, an employee working as a construction laborer for a fencing contractor was riding on the right fork of a forklift powered industrial vehicle (PIV). The employee fell off the PIV and was run over and crushed between the…
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 | 3 |
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Top states: KY (5), NJ (3), OH (2), MD (2), ID (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| AA ACTION FENCE COMPANY, LLC | KATHLEEN, GA | $13,240 |
| 66886 - ALEXI CONSTRUCTION INC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $7,000 |
| 67263 - RELIABLE POULTRY LLC | GREENVILLE, KY | $6,300 |
| ARAWAK PAVING COMPANY, INC. | LUMBERTON, NJ | $5,296 |
| T-DYNE CONTRACTORS, LLC | EL PASO, TX | $5,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.602(c)(1)(vii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.602(c)(1)(vii).
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)(vi) 171 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)(i) 20 citations
Get your crew competent
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Frequently asked questions
Can anyone ride on a forklift?
No. Unauthorized personnel shall not be permitted to ride on powered industrial trucks.
What if riding is authorized?
A safe place to ride must be provided.
Does this apply in construction?
Yes. It is in 1926.602, construction material handling equipment.
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.