General industry and construction, side by side
The same question has two answers because OSHA writes two sets of rules. A shop, plant, warehouse or office follows 29 CFR part 1910. A construction jobsite follows 29 CFR part 1926.
| Topic | General industry (29 CFR 1910) | Construction (29 CFR 1926) |
|---|---|---|
| Who may operate a truck | The employer shall ensure that each operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by successful completion of the training and evaluation, before permitting the employee to operate one, except for training purposes.29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1) | The requirements applicable to construction work under this paragraph are identical to those set forth at 1910.178(l).29 CFR 1926.602(d) |
| How the training is given | Training consists of a combination of formal instruction, practical training and evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace. Trainees 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 the operation does not endanger anyone.29 CFR 1910.178(l)(2), 29 CFR 1926.602(d) | |
| What the training covers | Initial training covers truck-related topics, such as operating instructions, controls, capacity and stability, and workplace-related topics, such as surface conditions, pedestrian traffic, ramps and ventilation, except topics the employer can show are not applicable to safe operation in its workplace.29 CFR 1910.178(l)(3), 29 CFR 1926.602(d) | |
| Refresher training | Refresher training is provided when the operator has been observed operating unsafely, has been in an accident or near miss, has received an evaluation that shows unsafe operation, is assigned a different type of truck, or when a workplace condition changes in a way that could affect safe operation.29 CFR 1910.178(l)(4), 29 CFR 1926.602(d) | |
| Periodic evaluation | An evaluation of each operator's performance shall be conducted at least once every three years.29 CFR 1910.178(l)(4)(iii), 29 CFR 1926.602(d) | |
| Certification | The employer shall certify that each operator has been trained and evaluated. The certification includes the operator's name, the date of the training, the date of the evaluation, and the identity of the person or persons performing the training or evaluation.29 CFR 1910.178(l)(6), 29 CFR 1926.602(d) | |
| Examining the truck | Industrial trucks shall be examined before being placed in service, and shall not be placed in service if the examination shows a condition adversely affecting safety. The examination is made at least daily, and after each shift where trucks are used round the clock. A truck in need of repair is taken out of service.29 CFR 1910.178(q)(7), 29 CFR 1910.178(p)(1) | All industrial trucks in use shall meet the applicable requirements of design, construction, stability, inspection, testing, maintenance and operation as defined in ANSI B56.1-1969. Lift trucks shall have the rated capacity clearly posted on the vehicle, and the ratings shall not be exceeded.29 CFR 1926.602(c)(1)(vi), 29 CFR 1926.602(c)(1)(i) |
What is OSHA's rule and what is not
| Level | What it says |
|---|---|
| OSHA requirement | The standard sets no passing score and no written test. Section 1910.178(l) asks that the operator demonstrate competence through the training and the evaluation in the workplace, and the person who evaluates decides.29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1) and 29 CFR 1910.178(l)(2) |
| Consensus standard | ANSI B56.1 is the consensus standard for powered industrial trucks. General industry names the 1969 edition for new trucks in 1910.178(a)(2), and construction names it in 1926.602(c)(1)(vi). Later editions are not OSHA requirements.29 CFR 1910.178(a)(2) and 29 CFR 1926.602(c)(1)(vi) |
| Recommended practice | A written checklist for the daily exam, signed by the operator, is recommended, not required. The paragraph asks that the exam be made and that defects be reported and corrected.29 CFR 1910.178(q)(7) |
Does your state do it differently?
Some states run their own State Plan and write their own text, so the federal paragraphs above describe federal OSHA states. Look up your state on the State Plans page and read its rule before you rely on the federal wording.
What OSHA cited most under these standards in FY2025
| Paragraph | What it covers | FY2025 citations |
|---|---|---|
| 1910.178(l)(1)(i) | Operator competent as shown by training and evaluation | 541 |
| 1910.178(l)(6) | Certification of training and evaluation | 504 |
| 1910.178(l)(4)(iii) | Evaluation at least every three years | 424 |
| 1910.178(p)(1) | Truck in need of repair taken out of service | 222 |
| 1910.178(q)(7) | Examination before service, at least daily | 214 |
| 1910.178(a)(4) | 199 | |
| 1926.602(d) | Operator training identical to 1910.178(l) | 72 |
| 1926.602(c)(1)(vi) | 59 | |
| 1926.602(c)(1)(ii) | 43 | |
| 1926.602(c)(1)(viii)(A) | 23 | |
| 1926.602(c)(1)(vii) | 17 | |
| 1926.602(c)(1)(i) | 10 |
1910.178: 3,458 citations in FY2025 at 2,465 inspections, 388 of them at construction sites (NAICS 23). 1926.602: 251 citations in FY2025 at 216 inspections, 237 of them at construction sites (NAICS 23). Citation items issued Oct 1, 2024 to Sep 30, 2025, counted by HazComFast on U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data (extracted Oct 13, 2026). Inspected establishments, not the whole industry.
Mistakes that turn up in inspections
- Treating a card or a certificate from another employer as the finish line. The standard asks the current employer to certify the operator, and avoids duplicate training only for topics already covered if the operator has been evaluated and found competent.29 CFR 1910.178(l)(5) and 29 CFR 1910.178(l)(6)
- Running a written test and calling it the evaluation. The evaluation is of the operator's performance in the workplace, and the standard sets no passing score.29 CFR 1910.178(l)(2)
- Missing the three-year mark. An evaluation of each operator's performance is conducted at least once every three years, and a near miss or a change of truck type calls for refresher training before then.29 CFR 1910.178(l)(4)
- Skipping the daily exam on a second shift. Where trucks are used round the clock they are examined after each shift.29 CFR 1910.178(q)(7)
Free tool
The written certification of 1910.178(l)(6) for each operator: name, training date, evaluation date and the evaluator's identity.