Forklifts in construction study guide
29 CFR 1926.602(c) and (d) set OSHA's construction rules for lifting and hauling equipment (other than equipment covered under subpart N of 29 CFR Part 1926) and for powered industrial truck operator training. This guide sets out what the federal rule text states on posted rated capacities, modifications and additions, loads lifted by two or more trucks, steering knobs, overhead guards, riding on trucks, precautions for elevating personnel, and the note that the construction training requirements are identical to § 1910.178(l). Paragraphs (a) and (b), on earthmoving equipment and on excavating and other equipment, are not covered. goraedu does not train, evaluate or certify forklift operators, and a score here does not meet any training requirement. Your State may run its own OSHA-approved plan with its own rules, so check them too. Every point links to the regulation and quotes its exact words.
Scope and rated capacity
Paragraph (c) of 1926.602 is headed lifting and hauling equipment, other than equipment covered under subpart N of this part (part 1926).
“Lifting and hauling equipment (other than equipment covered under subpart N of this part).”
Industrial trucks shall meet the requirements of § 1926.600 and the requirements listed in (c)(1).
“Industrial trucks shall meet the requirements of § 1926.600 and the following:”
Lift trucks, stackers, etc., shall have the rated capacity clearly posted on the vehicle so it is clearly visible to the operator.
“Lift trucks, stackers, etc., shall have the rated capacity clearly posted on the vehicle so as to be clearly visible to the operator.”
When the manufacturer provides auxiliary removable counterweights, the corresponding alternate rated capacities also shall be clearly shown on the vehicle, and these ratings shall not be exceeded.
“When auxiliary removable counterweights are provided by the manufacturer, corresponding alternate rated capacities also shall be clearly shown on the vehicle. These ratings shall not be exceeded.”
Not covered here
Paragraphs (a) and (b) of 1926.602, on earthmoving equipment and on excavating and other equipment, are not covered in this guide. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Modifications and loads lifted in unison
No modifications or additions that affect the capacity or safe operation of the equipment shall be made without the manufacturer's written approval.
“No modifications or additions which affect the capacity or safe operation of the equipment shall be made without the manufacturer's written approval.”
If such modifications or changes are made, the capacity, operation, and maintenance instruction plates, tags, or decals shall be changed accordingly.
“If such modifications or changes are made, the capacity, operation, and maintenance instruction plates, tags, or decals shall be changed accordingly.”
In no case shall the original safety factor of the equipment be reduced.
“In no case shall the original safety factor of the equipment be reduced.”
If two or more trucks working in unison lift a load, the proportion of the total load carried by any one truck shall not exceed its capacity.
“If a load is lifted by two or more trucks working in unison, the proportion of the total load carried by any one truck shall not exceed its capacity.”
Steering knobs, guards and design
Steering or spinner knobs shall not be attached to the steering wheel unless the steering mechanism is of a type that prevents road reactions from causing the steering handwheel to spin.
“Steering or spinner knobs shall not be attached to the steering wheel unless the steering mechanism is of a type that prevents road reactions from causing the steering handwheel to spin.”
The steering knob shall be mounted within the periphery of the wheel.
“The steering knob shall be mounted within the periphery of the wheel.”
All high lift rider industrial trucks shall be equipped with overhead guards that meet the configuration and structural requirements defined in paragraph 421 of American National Standards Institute B56.1-1969.
“All high lift rider industrial trucks shall be equipped with overhead guards which meet the configuration and structural requirements as defined in paragraph 421 of American National Standards Institute B56.1-1969, Safety Standards for Powered Industrial Trucks.”
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.
“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.”
Not covered here
The content of American National Standards Institute B56.1-1969 is not described here; the rule only names it. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Riding and elevating personnel
Unauthorized personnel shall not be permitted to ride on powered industrial trucks. Where riding of trucks is authorized, a safe place to ride shall be provided.
“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.”
Whenever a truck is equipped with vertical only, or vertical and horizontal, controls elevatable with the lifting carriage or forks for lifting personnel, additional precautions shall be taken to protect the personnel being elevated.
“Whenever a truck is equipped with vertical only, or vertical and horizontal controls elevatable with the lifting carriage or forks for lifting personnel, the following additional precautions shall be taken for the protection of personnel being elevated.”
One precaution is use of a safety platform firmly secured to the lifting carriage and/or forks.
“Use of a safety platform firmly secured to the lifting carriage and/or forks.”
Another is that means shall be provided so personnel on the platform can shut off power to the truck.
“Means shall be provided whereby personnel on the platform can shut off power to the truck.”
A third is protection from falling objects, as indicated necessary by the operating conditions.
“Such protection from falling objects as indicated necessary by the operating conditions shall be provided.”
Operator training
Paragraph (d) is headed Powered industrial truck operator training. Its note says the requirements for construction work under it are identical to those in § 1910.178(l).
“Powered industrial truck operator training. Note: The requirements applicable to construction work under this paragraph are identical to those set forth at § 1910.178(l) of this chapter.”
Not covered here
The training, evaluation and certification content of § 1910.178(l) is not set out in this guide. Under that rule the employer must make sure its operators are trained and evaluated and must certify that they were; goraedu does none of that. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Sources
- eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.602, Material handling equipment (as of Nov 4, 2026)Checked November 6, 2026
Other Forklift operator study guides: Operator training and evaluation, Truck approval, types and designated locations, Fuel, batteries, lighting and loading docks, Truck operations, traveling and loading, Operating condition and maintenance