This document provides an overview of forklift safety and training resources.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Powered Industrial Trucks Standard 1910.178 contains safety requirements relating to fire protection, design, maintenance, and use of fork trucks, platform lift trucks, motorized hand trucks, and other specialized industrial trucks powered by electric motors or internal combustion engines. Powered industrial trucks (PITs), commonly referred to as forklifts and lift trucks, are used in a variety of industries, including agriculture, with the primary purpose to load, unload, and move materials.
Training
The OSHA PIT standard also regulates forklift training. Forklift operators must complete training prior to operating a forklift. According to the OSHA standard, forklift training must consist of formal instruction, practical training, and an evaluation of the operator’s performance in the workplace. To fully complete forklift training:
Step 1: Complete the online Forklift Safety Training and pass the test at the end of the training.
Step 2: Complete hands-on training and the operator evaluation. All departments completing the hands-on and evaluation portion of training must document completion of the training and evaluation. Information that needs to be documented includes the name of the operator, the date of the training and evaluation, and the identity of the person(s) performing the training and evaluation.
To access the online portion of the forklift training, click on the link below.
Forklift Safety Training
Refresher Training
Refresher training must be completed when:
- The operator has been observed to operate the vehicle in an unsafe manner;
- The operator has been involved in an accident or near-miss incident;
- The operator has received an evaluation that reveals that the operator is not operating the truck safely;
- The operator is assigned to drive a different type of truck; or
- A condition in the workplace changes in a manner that could affect safe operation of the truck.
Additionally, an evaluation of each powered industrial truck operator's performance shall be conducted at least once every three years.
Additional Resources:
OSHA’s Powered Industrial Trucks – Forklifts page
NIOSH: Preventing Injuries and Deaths of Workers Who Operate or Work Near Forklifts
OSHA Alert: Protect Workers Operating and Working Near Forklifts
OSHA Powered Industrial Trucks (Forklift) eTool
