Forklift operator training and evaluation study guide
29 CFR 1910.178(l) sets OSHA's operator training requirements for powered industrial trucks in general industry. This guide sets out what the federal rule text states on safe operation, how training is carried out and by whom, the truck-related and workplace-related topics of initial training, refresher training and evaluation, avoidance of duplicative training, certification, and the training dates table. Under the rule the employer must ensure that each operator has completed the training, all training and evaluation is conducted by persons who have the knowledge, training, and experience the rule names, and the employer certifies that each operator has been trained and evaluated. goraedu does not train, evaluate or certify operators, and a score on this site does not meet 1910.178(l). 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.
Safe operation and who may operate
The employer must ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation in paragraph (l).
“The employer shall ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in this paragraph (l).”
Before permitting an employee to operate a truck (except for training purposes), the employer must ensure that each operator has successfully completed the training required by paragraph (l), except as permitted by paragraph (l)(5).
“Prior to permitting an employee to operate a powered industrial truck (except for training purposes), the employer shall ensure that each operator has successfully completed the training required by this paragraph (l), except as permitted by paragraph (l)(5).”
Paragraph (l)(5), which that exception points to, is headed "Avoidance of duplicative training" and deals with training an operator has previously received.
“Avoidance of duplicative training. If an operator has previously received training”
Not covered here
The truck operation, traveling and loading rules elsewhere in 1910.178 are not set out in this guide. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Training program implementation
Trainees may operate a truck only under the direct supervision of persons who have the knowledge, training, and experience to train operators and evaluate their competence, and where such operation does not endanger the trainee or other employees.
“Trainees may operate a powered industrial truck only: (A) Under the direct supervision of persons who have the knowledge, training, and experience to train operators and evaluate their competence; and (B) Where such operation does not endanger the trainee or other employees.”
Training shall consist of a combination of formal instruction, practical training, and evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace.
“Training shall consist of a combination of formal instruction (e.g., lecture, discussion, interactive computer learning, video tape, written material), practical training (demonstrations performed by the trainer and practical exercises performed by the trainee), and evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace.”
The rule's examples of formal instruction are lecture, discussion, interactive computer learning, video tape and written material.
“formal instruction (e.g., lecture, discussion, interactive computer learning, video tape, written material)”
Practical training means demonstrations performed by the trainer and practical exercises performed by the trainee.
“practical training (demonstrations performed by the trainer and practical exercises performed by the trainee)”
The evaluation part of training is an evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace.
“and evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace.”
All operator training and evaluation must be conducted by persons who have the knowledge, training, and experience to train powered industrial truck operators and evaluate their competence.
“All operator training and evaluation shall be conducted by persons who have the knowledge, training, and experience to train powered industrial truck operators and evaluate their competence.”
Initial training: truck-related topics
Operators must receive initial training in the topics listed in (l)(3), except in topics which the employer can demonstrate are not applicable to safe operation of the truck in the employer's workplace.
“Powered industrial truck operators shall receive initial training in the following topics, except in topics which the employer can demonstrate are not applicable to safe operation of the truck in the employer's workplace.”
The first group of initial training topics is the truck-related topics.
“Truck-related topics:”
Truck-related topic: operating instructions, warnings, and precautions for the types of truck the operator will be authorized to operate.
“Operating instructions, warnings, and precautions for the types of truck the operator will be authorized to operate;”
Truck-related topic: differences between the truck and the automobile.
“Differences between the truck and the automobile;”
Truck-related topic: truck controls and instrumentation, meaning where they are located, what they do, and how they work.
“Truck controls and instrumentation: where they are located, what they do, and how they work;”
Truck-related topic: engine or motor operation.
“Engine or motor operation;”
Truck-related topic: steering and maneuvering.
“Steering and maneuvering;”
Truck-related topic: visibility, including restrictions due to loading.
“Visibility (including restrictions due to loading);”
Truck-related topic: fork and attachment adaptation, operation, and use limitations.
“Fork and attachment adaptation, operation, and use limitations;”
Truck-related topic: vehicle capacity.
“Vehicle capacity;”
Truck-related topic: vehicle stability.
“Vehicle stability;”
Truck-related topic: any vehicle inspection and maintenance that the operator will be required to perform.
“Any vehicle inspection and maintenance that the operator will be required to perform;”
Truck-related topic: refueling and/or charging and recharging of batteries.
“Refueling and/or charging and recharging of batteries;”
Truck-related topic: operating limitations.
“Operating limitations;”
Truck-related topic: any other operating instructions, warnings, or precautions listed in the operator's manual for the types of vehicle that the employee is being trained to operate.
“Any other operating instructions, warnings, or precautions listed in the operator's manual for the types of vehicle that the employee is being trained to operate.”
Initial training: workplace topics and the section's requirements
The second group of initial training topics is the workplace-related topics.
“Workplace-related topics:”
Workplace-related topic: surface conditions where the vehicle will be operated.
“Surface conditions where the vehicle will be operated;”
Workplace-related topic: composition of loads to be carried and load stability.
“Composition of loads to be carried and load stability;”
Workplace-related topic: load manipulation, stacking, and unstacking.
“Load manipulation, stacking, and unstacking;”
Workplace-related topic: pedestrian traffic in areas where the vehicle will be operated.
“Pedestrian traffic in areas where the vehicle will be operated;”
Workplace-related topic: narrow aisles and other restricted places where the vehicle will be operated.
“Narrow aisles and other restricted places where the vehicle will be operated;”
Workplace-related topic: hazardous (classified) locations where the vehicle will be operated.
“Hazardous (classified) locations where the vehicle will be operated;”
Workplace-related topic: ramps and other sloped surfaces that could affect the vehicle's stability.
“Ramps and other sloped surfaces that could affect the vehicle's stability;”
Workplace-related topic: closed environments and other areas where insufficient ventilation or poor vehicle maintenance could cause a buildup of carbon monoxide or diesel exhaust.
“Closed environments and other areas where insufficient ventilation or poor vehicle maintenance could cause a buildup of carbon monoxide or diesel exhaust;”
Workplace-related topic: other unique or potentially hazardous environmental conditions in the workplace that could affect safe operation.
“Other unique or potentially hazardous environmental conditions in the workplace that could affect safe operation.”
Initial training also covers the requirements of 1910.178 itself.
“(iii) The requirements of this section.”
Refresher training and evaluation
Refresher training, including an evaluation of the effectiveness of that training, must be conducted as required by (l)(4)(ii) to ensure the operator has the knowledge and skills needed to operate the truck safely.
“Refresher training, including an evaluation of the effectiveness of that training, shall be conducted as required by paragraph (l)(4)(ii) to ensure that the operator has the knowledge and skills needed to operate the powered industrial truck safely.”
Refresher training in relevant topics must be provided to the operator when one of the options listed in (l)(4)(ii) occurs.
“Refresher training in relevant topics shall be provided to the operator when:”
One option: the operator has been observed to operate the vehicle in an unsafe manner.
“The operator has been observed to operate the vehicle in an unsafe manner;”
One option: the operator has been involved in an accident or near-miss incident.
“The operator has been involved in an accident or near-miss incident;”
One option: the operator has received an evaluation that reveals the operator is not operating the truck safely.
“The operator has received an evaluation that reveals that the operator is not operating the truck safely;”
One option: the operator is assigned to drive a different type of truck.
“The operator is assigned to drive a different type of truck; or”
One option: a condition in the workplace changes in a manner that could affect safe operation of the truck.
“A condition in the workplace changes in a manner that could affect safe operation of the truck.”
An evaluation of each operator's performance must be conducted at least once every three years.
“An evaluation of each powered industrial truck operator's performance shall be conducted at least once every three years.”
Duplicative training, certification and dates
Avoidance of duplicative training applies where the operator has previously received training in a topic listed in (l)(3) and that training is appropriate to the truck and working conditions encountered.
“If an operator has previously received training in a topic specified in paragraph (l)(3) of this section, and such training is appropriate to the truck and working conditions encountered”
In that case, additional training in that topic is not required if the operator has been evaluated and found competent to operate the truck safely.
“additional training in that topic is not required if the operator has been evaluated and found competent to operate the truck safely.”
The employer must certify that each operator has been trained and evaluated as required by paragraph (l).
“The employer shall certify that each operator has been trained and evaluated as required by this paragraph (l).”
The certification must include the operator's name, the date of the training, the date of the evaluation, and the identity of the person(s) performing the training or evaluation.
“The certification shall include the name of the operator, the date of the training, the date of the evaluation, and the identity of the person(s) performing the training or evaluation.”
The employer must ensure that operators are trained, as appropriate, by the dates shown in the table in (l)(7).
“The employer shall ensure that operators of powered industrial trucks are trained, as appropriate, by the dates shown in the following table.”
Table row: for an employee hired before December 1, 1999, initial training and evaluation had to be completed by December 1, 1999.
“Before December 1, 1999 By December 1, 1999.”
Table row: for an employee hired after December 1, 1999, initial training and evaluation must be completed before the employee is assigned to operate a powered industrial truck.
“After December 1, 1999 Before the employee is assigned to operate a powered industrial truck.”
Appendix A to 1910.178 provides non-mandatory guidance to help employers implement paragraph (l); it does not add to, alter, or reduce the requirements of the section.
“Appendix A to this section provides non-mandatory guidance to assist employers in implementing this paragraph (l). This appendix does not add to, alter, or reduce the requirements of this section.”
Not covered here
The guidance in the non-mandatory Appendix A is not set out here. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Sources
- eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.178, Powered industrial trucks (as of Nov 4, 2026)Checked November 6, 2026
Other Forklift operator study guides: Truck approval, types and designated locations, Fuel, batteries, lighting and loading docks, Truck operations, traveling and loading, Operating condition and maintenance, Forklifts in construction