All general industry standards apply to workers performing maintenance on powered industrial trucks. The following is an overview of the regulations, training requirements, and other resources:
Vehicle Maintenance Overview
Forklift mechanics are exposed to a variety of
hazardous materials. Chemicals pose a wide range of health
hazards, such as irritation, sensitization, and carcinogenicity, and
physical hazards, such as flammability, corrosion, and reactivity.
Forklift operators are often authorized to perform some of their own
maintenance, such as refueling diesel or gasoline powered trucks,
changing propane tanks on LPG trucks, or recharging and servicing
electric batteries on electric forklifts. They may also change oil,
antifreeze, or other fluids and so are also exposed to a variety of
hazardous chemicals.
OSHA Compliance
Standards
General Industry
(29 CFR 1910)
-
1910 Subpart N, Materials handling and storage
- 1910.178,
Powered industrial trucks.
Note the following sections:
For additional information, see
OSHA Standards and
Frequently Cited OSHA Standards.
For further information on industry standards, see
National Consensus Standards.
Directives
-
The Control of Hazardous Energy – Enforcement Policy and
Inspection Procedures. OSHA Directive CPL 02-00-147, (2008,
February 11). Cancels OSHA Instruction, STD 01-05-019 [STD 1-7.3],
29 CFR 1910.147, The Control of Hazardous Energy
(Lockout/Tagout) -- Inspection Procedures and Interpretive
Guidance, September 11, 1990 ; and its interpretations.
- Compliance Assistance for the Powered Industrial Truck Operator Training Standards.
CPL 02-01-028 [CPL 2-1.28A], (2000, November 30).
- 29 CFR 1910.151(c), Medical Services and First Aid; 29 CFR 1926.50 and .51, Medical Service and First Aid, and ... STD 01-08-002 [STD 1-8.2], (1982, March
8). Provides guidelines regarding eye wash and body flushing
facilities required for immediate emergency use in electric storage battery
charging and maintenance areas.
- 29 CFR 1910.178(g)(2); Battery Charging Stations for Fork Lifts and Other Industrial Trucks. STD 01-11-004 [STD 1-11.4], (1978, October 30).
Clarifies
29 CFR 1910.178(g)(2) as it applies to
"battery charging" areas where power industrial truck batteries are charged
only.
-
Search all available
directives.
Standard Interpretations
-
Application of asbestos standard's brake and clutch repair provisions. OSHA
Standard Interpretation, (1999, September 13). Provides guidance on the repair of brakes and the applicability of
29 CFR 1910.1001(f)(3).
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Use of battery power operated cleaning equipment in hazardous locations. OSHA Standard Interpretation, (1993, October 12). Clarifies that OSHA has determined that battery power operated
cleaning (sweeper/scrubber) equipment is not regulated under 29 CFR 1910.178.
-
Regulations for machine shop and press room safety.
OSHA Standard Interpretation, (1984, September 11).
Provides general guidance for operating a machine shop and
press room and the relevant applicable standards.
-
Definition of the phrase "Adequate ventilation" as used in 1910.178.
OSHA Standard Interpretation, (1976, January 26). Indicates a "typical exhaust fan" could meet this requirement if the
concentrations of the hydrogen gas in the fan's ambient air never
exceeded the lower explosive limit.
-
Servicing Single-Piece and Multi-Piece Rim Wheels. OSHA Publication 3086, (1998).
Also available as a 443 KB
PDF,
29 pages.
-
Search all available
standard interpretations.
Training Requirements
- 29 CFR 1910.178,
Powered industrial trucks. Includes
specific training requirements for forklift operators who change
and charge batteries, handle propane tanks, fuel diesel or
gasoline engines, and otherwise repair and maintain powered
industrial trucks.
General Hazard
References
- For additional information, see OSHA's Safety and Health Topics Pages
on:
Accessibility Assistance: Contact the OSHA Directorate of Technical Support and
Emergency Management at 202-693-2300 for assistance accessing
OSHA PDF materials.
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