Forklift truck operations, traveling and loading study guide
29 CFR 1910.178 is OSHA's powered industrial truck standard for general industry. This guide sets out what paragraphs (m), (n) and (o) of the federal rule text state on truck operations, traveling and loading: people near the truck and riders, unattended trucks, docks, trailers and railroad cars, headroom, overhead guards, load backrest extensions and hazardous locations, traffic and travel control, railroad crossings, grades, floors and turns, dockboards and elevators, and how loads are handled and tilted. The section also includes a non-mandatory appendix, which is not covered here. Under 1910.178(l) the employer must make sure its operators are trained and evaluated and must certify that they were; goraedu does none of that, and practice here is not operator training or evaluation. 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.
People around the truck
Paragraph (m)(1) bars driving a truck up to anyone standing in front of a bench or other fixed object.
“Trucks shall not be driven up to anyone standing in front of a bench or other fixed object.”
No person may be allowed to stand or pass under the elevated portion of any truck. This applies whether the truck is loaded or empty.
“No person shall be allowed to stand or pass under the elevated portion of any truck, whether loaded or empty.”
Unauthorized personnel shall not be permitted to ride on powered industrial trucks.
“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.
“A safe place to ride shall be provided where riding of trucks is authorized.”
The employer shall prohibit arms or legs from being placed between the uprights of the mast or outside the running lines of the truck.
“The employer shall prohibit arms or legs from being placed between the uprights of the mast or outside the running lines of the truck.”
Unattended trucks
When a truck is left unattended, the load engaging means shall be fully lowered, controls neutralized, power shut off, and brakes set.
“When a powered industrial truck is left unattended, load engaging means shall be fully lowered, controls shall be neutralized, power shall be shut off, and brakes set.”
If the truck is parked on an incline, the wheels shall also be blocked.
“Wheels shall be blocked if the truck is parked on an incline.”
A truck is unattended in one of two situations: the operator is 25 ft. or more away from the vehicle while it remains in his view, or the operator leaves the vehicle and it is not in his view.
“A powered industrial truck is unattended when the operator is 25 ft. or more away from the vehicle which remains in his view, or whenever the operator leaves the vehicle and it is not in his view.”
When the operator is dismounted and within 25 ft. of the truck still in his view, the load engaging means shall be fully lowered, controls neutralized, and the brakes set to prevent movement.
“When the operator of an industrial truck is dismounted and within 25 ft. of the truck still in his view, the load engaging means shall be fully lowered, controls neutralized, and the brakes set to prevent movement.”
Docks, trailers and railroad cars
A safe distance shall be maintained from the edge of ramps or platforms while on any elevated dock, platform or freight car.
“A safe distance shall be maintained from the edge of ramps or platforms while on any elevated dock, or platform or freight car.”
Trucks shall not be used for opening or closing freight doors.
“Trucks shall not be used for opening or closing freight doors.”
While loading or unloading, brakes shall be set and wheel blocks shall be in place to prevent movement of trucks, trailers, or railroad cars.
“Brakes shall be set and wheel blocks shall be in place to prevent movement of trucks, trailers, or railroad cars while loading or unloading.”
The rule says fixed jacks may be necessary to support a semitrailer during loading or unloading when the trailer is not coupled to a tractor.
“Fixed jacks may be necessary to support a semitrailer during loading or unloading when the trailer is not coupled to a tractor.”
The flooring of trucks, trailers, and railroad cars shall be checked for breaks and weakness before they are driven onto.
“The flooring of trucks, trailers, and railroad cars shall be checked for breaks and weakness before they are driven onto.”
Clearance, guards and hazardous locations
There shall be sufficient headroom under overhead installations, lights, pipes, the sprinkler system and the like.
“There shall be sufficient headroom under overhead installations, lights, pipes, sprinkler system, etc.”
An overhead guard shall be used as protection against falling objects.
“An overhead guard shall be used as protection against falling objects.”
The rule notes that an overhead guard is intended to protect from the impact of small packages, boxes, bagged material and the like representative of the job application, but not to withstand the impact of a falling capacity load.
“It should be noted that an overhead guard is intended to offer protection from the impact of small packages, boxes, bagged material, etc., representative of the job application, but not to withstand the impact of a falling capacity load.”
A load backrest extension shall be used whenever necessary to minimize the possibility of the load or part of it falling rearward.
“A load backrest extension shall be used whenever necessary to minimize the possibility of the load or part of it from falling rearward.”
Only approved industrial trucks shall be used in hazardous locations.
“Only approved industrial trucks shall be used in hazardous locations.”
Fire aisles, access to stairways, and fire equipment shall be kept clear.
“Fire aisles, access to stairways, and fire equipment shall be kept clear.”
Not covered here
Paragraphs (m)(12) and (m)(13) are reserved. Which truck designations may be used in which hazardous atmospheres and locations is set out in 1910.178(c) and is not covered in this guide. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Traffic and travel control
All traffic regulations shall be observed, including authorized plant speed limits.
“All traffic regulations shall be observed, including authorized plant speed limits.”
A safe distance shall be maintained approximately three truck lengths from the truck ahead.
“A safe distance shall be maintained approximately three truck lengths from the truck ahead”
The truck shall be kept under control at all times.
“the truck shall be kept under control at all times.”
The right of way shall be yielded to ambulances, fire trucks, or other vehicles in emergency situations.
“The right of way shall be yielded to ambulances, fire trucks, or other vehicles in emergency situations.”
Other trucks traveling in the same direction shall not be passed at intersections, blind spots, or other dangerous locations.
“Other trucks traveling in the same direction at intersections, blind spots, or other dangerous locations shall not be passed.”
The driver shall be required to slow down and sound the horn at cross aisles and other locations where vision is obstructed.
“The driver shall be required to slow down and sound the horn at cross aisles and other locations where vision is obstructed.”
If the load being carried obstructs forward view, the driver shall be required to travel with the load trailing.
“If the load being carried obstructs forward view, the driver shall be required to travel with the load trailing.”
The driver shall be required to look in the direction of, and keep a clear view of, the path of travel.
“The driver shall be required to look in the direction of, and keep a clear view of the path of travel.”
Under all travel conditions, the truck shall be operated at a speed that will permit it to be brought to a stop in a safe manner.
“Under all travel conditions the truck shall be operated at a speed that will permit it to be brought to a stop in a safe manner.”
Stunt driving and horseplay shall not be permitted.
“Stunt driving and horseplay shall not be permitted.”
Crossings, grades, floors and turns
Railroad tracks shall be crossed diagonally wherever possible.
“Railroad tracks shall be crossed diagonally wherever possible.”
Parking closer than 8 feet from the center of railroad tracks is prohibited.
“Parking closer than 8 feet from the center of railroad tracks is prohibited.”
Grades shall be ascended or descended slowly.
“Grades shall be ascended or descended slowly.”
When ascending or descending grades in excess of 10 percent, loaded trucks shall be driven with the load upgrade.
“When ascending or descending grades in excess of 10 percent, loaded trucks shall be driven with the load upgrade.”
On all grades, the load and load engaging means shall be tilted back if applicable, and raised only as far as necessary to clear the road surface.
“On all grades the load and load engaging means shall be tilted back if applicable, and raised only as far as necessary to clear the road surface.”
The driver shall be required to slow down for wet and slippery floors.
“The driver shall be required to slow down for wet and slippery floors.”
Running over loose objects on the roadway surface shall be avoided.
“Running over loose objects on the roadway surface shall be avoided.”
While negotiating turns, speed shall be reduced to a safe level by means of turning the hand steering wheel in a smooth, sweeping motion.
“While negotiating turns, speed shall be reduced to a safe level by means of turning the hand steering wheel in a smooth, sweeping motion.”
Except when maneuvering at a very low speed, the hand steering wheel shall be turned at a moderate, even rate.
“Except when maneuvering at a very low speed, the hand steering wheel shall be turned at a moderate, even rate.”
Not covered here
Paragraph (n)(7)(ii) is reserved. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Dockboards and elevators
Dockboards or bridgeplates shall be properly secured before they are driven over.
“Dockboard or bridgeplates, shall be properly secured before they are driven over.”
Dockboards or bridgeplates shall be driven over carefully and slowly, and their rated capacity never exceeded.
“Dockboard or bridgeplates shall be driven over carefully and slowly and their rated capacity never exceeded.”
Elevators shall be approached slowly, and then entered squarely after the elevator car is properly leveled.
“Elevators shall be approached slowly, and then entered squarely after the elevator car is properly leveled.”
Once on the elevator, the controls shall be neutralized, power shut off, and the brakes set.
“Once on the elevator, the controls shall be neutralized, power shut off, and the brakes set.”
Motorized hand trucks must enter an elevator or other confined area with the load end forward.
“Motorized hand trucks must enter elevator or other confined areas with load end forward.”
Not covered here
Other paragraphs of 1910.178 on dockboards and bridge plates are not covered in this guide. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Handling and tilting loads
Only stable or safely arranged loads shall be handled.
“Only stable or safely arranged loads shall be handled.”
Caution shall be exercised when handling off-center loads which cannot be centered.
“Caution shall be exercised when handling off-center loads which cannot be centered.”
Only loads within the rated capacity of the truck shall be handled.
“Only loads within the rated capacity of the truck shall be handled.”
Long or high loads, including multiple-tiered loads, which may affect capacity shall be adjusted.
“The long or high (including multiple-tiered) loads which may affect capacity shall be adjusted.”
Trucks equipped with attachments shall be operated as partially loaded trucks when not handling a load.
“Trucks equipped with attachments shall be operated as partially loaded trucks when not handling a load.”
A load engaging means shall be placed under the load as far as possible, and the mast shall be carefully tilted backward to stabilize the load.
“A load engaging means shall be placed under the load as far as possible; the mast shall be carefully tilted backward to stabilize the load.”
Extreme care shall be used when tilting the load forward or backward, particularly when high tiering.
“Extreme care shall be used when tilting the load forward or backward, particularly when high tiering.”
Tilting forward with the load engaging means elevated shall be prohibited, except to pick up a load.
“Tilting forward with load engaging means elevated shall be prohibited except to pick up a load.”
An elevated load shall not be tilted forward except when the load is in a deposit position over a rack or stack.
“An elevated load shall not be tilted forward except when the load is in a deposit position over a rack or stack.”
When stacking or tiering, only enough backward tilt to stabilize the load shall be used.
“When stacking or tiering, only enough backward tilt to stabilize the load shall be used.”
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, Fuel, batteries, lighting and loading docks, Operating condition and maintenance, Forklifts in construction