Forklift fuel, batteries, lighting and loading docks study guide
29 CFR 1910.178 is OSHA's general industry standard for powered industrial trucks. This guide sets out what paragraphs (f) through (k) state on fuel handling and storage, changing and charging storage batteries, lighting for operating areas, control of noxious gases and fumes, dockboards (bridge plates), and highway trucks, semitrailers and railroad cars. These paragraphs are short, so the guide has fewer points than others. goraedu does not train, evaluate or certify operators, and this is not a certification exam. 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.
Fuel handling and storage
Under 1910.178(f)(1), the storage and handling of liquid fuels such as gasoline and diesel fuel shall be in accordance with NFPA No. 30-1969, which the rule incorporates by reference as specified in § 1910.6.
“The storage and handling of liquid fuels such as gasoline and diesel fuel shall be in accordance with NFPA Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code (NFPA No. 30-1969), which is incorporated by reference as specified in § 1910.6.”
Under 1910.178(f)(2), the storage and handling of liquefied petroleum gas fuel shall be in accordance with NFPA No. 58-1969, also incorporated by reference as specified in § 1910.6.
“The storage and handling of liquefied petroleum gas fuel shall be in accordance with NFPA Storage and Handling of Liquefied Petroleum Gases (NFPA No. 58-1969), which is incorporated by reference as specified in § 1910.6.”
Not covered here
The content of NFPA No. 30-1969 and NFPA No. 58-1969 is not described here; 1910.178(f) only names them. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Battery charging areas
Battery charging installations shall be located in areas designated for that purpose.
“Battery charging installations shall be located in areas designated for that purpose.”
1910.178(g)(2) says facilities shall be provided for flushing and neutralizing spilled electrolyte and for fire protection.
“Facilities shall be provided for flushing and neutralizing spilled electrolyte, for fire protection,”
The same paragraph also requires facilities for protecting charging apparatus from damage by trucks, and for adequate ventilation for dispersal of fumes from gassing batteries.
“for protecting charging apparatus from damage by trucks, and for adequate ventilation for dispersal of fumes from gassing batteries.”
Smoking shall be prohibited in the charging area.
“Smoking shall be prohibited in the charging area.”
Precautions shall be taken to prevent open flames, sparks, or electric arcs in battery charging areas.
“Precautions shall be taken to prevent open flames, sparks, or electric arcs in battery charging areas.”
Not covered here
Paragraph (g)(3) of 1910.178 is reserved. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Changing, charging and handling batteries
For handling batteries, one of the options named shall be provided: a conveyor, an overhead hoist, or equivalent material handling equipment.
“A conveyor, overhead hoist, or equivalent material handling equipment shall be provided for handling batteries.”
Reinstalled batteries shall be properly positioned and secured in the truck.
“Reinstalled batteries shall be properly positioned and secured in the truck.”
For handling electrolyte, one of the options named shall be provided: a carboy tilter or a siphon.
“A carboy tilter or siphon shall be provided for handling electrolyte.”
When charging batteries, acid shall be poured into water; water shall not be poured into acid.
“When charging batteries, acid shall be poured into water; water shall not be poured into acid.”
Before anyone attempts to change or charge batteries, the truck shall be properly positioned and the brake applied.
“Trucks shall be properly positioned and brake applied before attempting to change or charge batteries.”
Care shall be taken to assure that vent caps are functioning.
“Care shall be taken to assure that vent caps are functioning.”
The battery (or compartment) cover(s) shall be open to dissipate heat.
“The battery (or compartment) cover(s) shall be open to dissipate heat.”
Tools and other metallic objects shall be kept away from the top of uncovered batteries.
“Tools and other metallic objects shall be kept away from the top of uncovered batteries.”
Lighting, gases and dockboards
Where general lighting is less than 2 lumens per square foot, auxiliary directional lighting shall be provided on the truck.
“Where general lighting is less than 2 lumens per square foot, auxiliary directional lighting shall be provided on the truck.”
Concentration levels of carbon monoxide gas created by powered industrial truck operations shall not exceed the levels specified in § 1910.1000.
“Concentration levels of carbon monoxide gas created by powered industrial truck operations shall not exceed the levels specified in § 1910.1000.”
For dockboards (bridge plates), 1910.178(j) does not set its own rule; it refers to subpart D of this part.
“Dockboards (bridge plates). See subpart D of this part.”
Not covered here
Paragraph (h)(1) of 1910.178 is reserved. The carbon monoxide levels in § 1910.1000 and the dockboard rules in subpart D are not set out here. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Highway trucks, semitrailers and railroad cars
The brakes of highway trucks shall be set and wheel chocks placed under the rear wheels to prevent the trucks from rolling while they are boarded with powered industrial trucks.
“The brakes of highway trucks shall be set and wheel chocks placed under the rear wheels to prevent the trucks from rolling while they are boarded with powered industrial trucks.”
To prevent railroad cars from moving during loading or unloading operations, one of the options named shall be provided: wheel stops or other recognized positive protection.
“Wheel stops or other recognized positive protection shall be provided to prevent railroad cars from moving during loading or unloading operations.”
When a semitrailer is not coupled to a tractor, the rule says fixed jacks may be necessary to support it and prevent upending during the loading or unloading.
“Fixed jacks may be necessary to support a semitrailer and prevent upending during the loading or unloading when the trailer is not coupled to a tractor.”
Positive protection shall be provided to prevent railroad cars from being moved while dockboards or bridge plates are in position.
“Positive protection shall be provided to prevent railroad cars from being moved while dockboards or bridge plates are in position.”
Sources
- eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.178, Powered industrial trucks (as of Nov 4, 2026)Checked November 6, 2026
Other Forklift operator study guides: Operator training and evaluation, Truck approval, types and designated locations, Truck operations, traveling and loading, Operating condition and maintenance, Forklifts in construction