Powered Industrial Trucks - Forklifts
Powered Industrial Truck (PIT) violations are another commonly cited item, partly because there are so many types of lift trucks across a wide variety of industries. Powered Industrial Trucks include forklifts, powered pallet jacks, stand-up rider lift trucks, order pickers, etc. Class IV: Internal Combustion Engine Trucks (Solid/Cushion Tires) The following are examples of Class IV powered industrial trucks. Lift Code 3: Fork, Counterbalanced (Cushion Tire). Class V: Internal Combustion Engine Trucks (Pneumatic Tires) The following are examples of Class V powered industrial trucks. Lift Code 4: Fork, Counterbalanced (Pneumatic. One of the most potentially dangerous pieces of equipment at a precast plant is the powered industrial truck, a category that includes forklifts, lift trucks and hand trucks. OSHA Section 29 CFR 1910.178 addresses this issue and gives the business owner three areas of concern that must be addressed.
Overview
- Protect Workers Operating and Working Near Forklifts. OSHA Alert (Publication 3973), (2019).
- Safe Forklift Operation. OSHA QuickCard™ (Publication 3949), (2019).
- Sample Daily Checklists for Powered Industrial Trucks. Prepared by OSHA and the Industrial Trucking Association (ITA) Alliance. OSHA notes that this checklist and related graphics were developed in cooperation with the ITA as part of the OSHA-ITA Alliance.
- Sample Daily Checklists for Powered Industrial Trucks. Prepared by the UAW-Ford National Joint Committee on Health and Safety. OSHA thanks the UAW-Ford National Joint Committee on Health and Safety for granting permission to use the checklists and related graphics.
- Protecting Young Workers: Prohibition Against Young Workers Operating Forklifts. OSHA Safety and Health Information Bulletin (SHIB), (September 30, 2003). Informs employers that youth employment regulations (29 CFR 570) promulgated under the Fair Labor Standards Act prohibit most employees under the age of 18 years from operating forklifts for non-agricultural operations and reminds employers that all forklift operators must be trained and certified.
- Powered Industrial Trucks (Forklift). OSHA eTool. Provides information on OSHA's Powered Industrial Truck requirements [29 CFR 1910.178] and industry best practices.
What are powered industrial trucks?
Powered industrial trucks, commonly called forklifts or lift trucks, are used in many industries, primarily to move materials. They can also be used to raise, lower, or remove large objects or a number of smaller objects on pallets or in boxes, crates, or other containers. Powered industrial trucks can either be ridden by the operator or controlled by a walking operator. Over-the-road haulage trucks and earth-moving equipment that has been modified to accept forks are not considered powered industrial trucks.
What are the hazards associated with operating powered industrial trucks?
There are many types of powered industrial trucks. Each type presents different operating hazards. For example, a sit-down, counterbalanced high-lift rider truck is more likely than a motorized hand truck to be involved in a falling load accident because the sit-down rider truck can lift a load much higher than a hand truck. Workplace type and conditions are also factors in hazards commonly associated with powered industrial trucks. For example, retail establishments often face greater challenges than other worksites in maintaining pedestrian safety. Beyond that, many workers can also be injured when (1) lift trucks are inadvertently driven off loading docks; (2) lifts fall between docks and an unsecured trailer; (3) they are struck by a lift truck; or (4) they fall while on elevated pallets and tines.
It is a violation of Federal law for anyone UNDER 18 years of age to operate a forklift or for anyone OVER 18 years of age who is not properly trained and certified to do so. Download the Sticker.
What can be done to reduce the hazards related to powered industrial trucks?
Determining the best way to protect workers from injury largely depends on the type of truck operated and the worksite where it is being used. Employers must 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 29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1).
Standards
Powered industrial trucks are addressed in specific OSHA standards for general industry and maritime.
Hazards and Solutions
Provides references that may aid in recognizing hazards associated with powered industrial trucks and provides examples of possible solutions.
Additional Resources
Provides links and references to additional resources related to powered industrial trucks.
- Protect Workers Operating and Working Near Forklifts. OSHA Alert (Publication 3973), (2019).
- Safe Forklift Operation. OSHA QuickCard™ (Publication 3949), (2019).
- Sample Daily Checklists for Powered Industrial Trucks. Prepared by OSHA and the Industrial Trucking Association (ITA) Alliance. OSHA notes that this checklist and related graphics were developed in cooperation with the ITA as part of the OSHA-ITA Alliance.
- Sample Daily Checklists for Powered Industrial Trucks. Prepared by the UAW-Ford National Joint Committee on Health and Safety. OSHA thanks the UAW-Ford National Joint Committee on Health and Safety for granting permission to use the checklists and related graphics.
- Protecting Young Workers: Prohibition Against Young Workers Operating Forklifts. OSHA Safety and Health Information Bulletin (SHIB), (September 30, 2003). Informs employers that youth employment regulations (29 CFR 570) promulgated under the Fair Labor Standards Act prohibit most employees under the age of 18 years from operating forklifts for non-agricultural operations and reminds employers that all forklift operators must be trained and certified.
- Powered Industrial Trucks (Forklift). OSHA eTool. Provides information on OSHA's Powered Industrial Truck requirements [29 CFR 1910.178] and industry best practices.
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Forklift Classifications
- Class I: Electric Motor Rider Trucks
- Class II: Electric Motor Narrow Aisle Trucks
- Class III: Electric Motor Hand Trucks or Hand/Rider Trucks
- Class IV: Internal Combustion Engine Trucks (Solid/Cushion Tires)
- Class V: Internal Combustion Engine Trucks (Pneumatic Tires)
- Class VI: Electric and Internal Combustion Engine Tractors
- Class VII: Rough Terrain Forklift Trucks
| The following are examples of Class I powered industrial trucks. | ||
Lift Code 1: Counterbalanced Rider Type, Stand Up. | Lift Code 4: Three Wheel Electric Trucks, Sit Down. | Lift Code 5: Counterbalanced Rider, Cushion Tires, Sit Down. |
Lift Code 6: Counterbalanced Rider, Pneumatic or Either Type Tire, Sit Down. | ||
| The following are examples of Class II powered industrial trucks. | ||
Lift Code 1: High Lift Straddle. | Lift Code 2: Order Picker. | Lift Code 3: Reach Type Outrigger. |
Lift Code 4: Side Loaders: Platforms. | Lift Code 4: Side Loaders: High Lift Pallet. | Lift Code 4: Turret Trucks. |
Lift Code 6: Low Lift Platform. | Lift Code 6: Low Lift Pallet. | |
| The following are examples of Class III powered industrial trucks. | ||
Lift Code 1: Low Lift Platform. | Lift Code 2: Low Lift Walkie Pallet. | Lift Code 3: Tractors |
Lift Code 4: Low Lift Walkie/Center Control. | Lift Code 5: Reach Type Outrigger. | Lift Code 6: High Lift Straddle. |
Lift Code 6: Single Face Pallet. | Lift Code 6: High Lift Platform. | Lift Code 7: High Lift Counterbalanced. |
Lift Code 8: Low Lift Walkie/Rider Pallet and End Control. | ||
| The following are examples of Class IV powered industrial trucks. | ||
Lift Code 3: Fork, Counterbalanced (Cushion Tire). | ||
| The following are examples of Class V powered industrial trucks. | ||
Lift Code 4: Fork, Counterbalanced(Pneumatic Tire). | ||
| The following are examples of Class VI powered industrial trucks. | ||
Lift Code 1: Sit-Down Rider (Draw Bar Pull Over 999 lbs.). | ||
| Class VII – Rough terrain forklift is a generic term used to describe forklifts typically intended for use on unimproved natural terrain and disturbed terrain construction sites. However, the term “rough terrain” does not imply that the forklift can be safely operated on every conceivable type of terrain. There are three basic types of rough terrain forklift: | |
Vertical mast type. | This is an example of a ruggedly constructed forklift and is designed to be used primarily outdoors. |
Variable reach type. | This is an example of a vehicle equipped with a telescoping boom, which enables it to pick and place loads at various distances and lift heights in front of the machine. The ability to reach out in front of the forklift allows the operator flexibility in the placement of a load. |
Truck/trailer mounted. | This is an example of a portable self-propelled rough terrain forklift that is typically transported to the job site. It is mounted on a carrier to the back of a truck/trailer and is used to unload heavy items from the truck/trailer at the job site. Note that not all truck/trailer mounted forklifts are rough terrain forklifts. |
Powered Industrial Truck Definition
What Is A Powered Industrial Truck
| Types & Fundamentals | Operating the Forklift | Understanding the Workplace | Training Assistance |