Requirement guide · US federal

OSHA forklift training requirements

Who needs it, what it must cover, how often, and whether online training counts. Based on 29 CFR 1910.178(l), the operator training paragraph of OSHA's powered industrial trucks standard.

Last reviewed 22 October 2026 · Not legal advice

The short answer

Who
Every powered industrial truck operator: forklifts, pallet trucks, order pickers, reach trucks and similar
When
Before operating a truck on their own, then refresher training when something triggers it, and a performance evaluation at least once every 3 years
What
Truck-related and workplace-related topics listed in (l)(3), plus the requirements of the standard
How
A combination of formal instruction, practical training and evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace
Records
The employer certifies each operator: name, date of training, date of evaluation and who trained or evaluated

Who needs the training

Paragraph (l)(1) says the employer must ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate the truck safely. Before an employee operates a truck, except as part of their training, the employer must make sure they have completed the training and evaluation in paragraph (l).

This covers more than classic forklifts. The standard applies to powered industrial trucks, so think of counterbalance and reach trucks, order pickers and powered pallet trucks in warehouses, distribution, manufacturing and retail back rooms.

Age: separate from OSHA, the federal child labour rules (Hazardous Occupations Order No. 7, 29 CFR 570.58) bar 16 and 17 year olds from operating high-lift trucks such as forklifts. The definition leaves out low-lift trucks that only transport materials. Check this before you put a young worker on a truck.

What the training must cover

Paragraph (l)(3) sets the content of initial training. An employer may leave out a topic only if it can show the topic does not apply to safe operation in its workplace. Truck-related topics in (l)(3)(i):

  1. Operating instructions, warnings and precautions for the types of truck the operator will use
  2. Differences between the truck and an automobile
  3. Controls and instrumentation: where they are, what they do and how they work
  4. Engine or motor operation
  5. Steering and manoeuvring
  6. Visibility, including restrictions due to loading
  7. Fork and attachment adaptation, operation and use limitations
  8. Vehicle capacity
  9. Vehicle stability
  10. Any vehicle inspection and maintenance the operator must perform
  11. Refuelling, or charging and recharging batteries
  12. Operating limitations
  13. Any other instructions, warnings or precautions in the operator's manual

Workplace-related topics in (l)(3)(ii):

  • Surface conditions where the truck will be used
  • Composition of loads and load stability
  • Load manipulation, stacking and unstacking
  • Pedestrian traffic
  • Narrow aisles and other restricted places
  • Hazardous (classified) locations
  • Ramps and other sloped surfaces that could affect stability
  • Closed or poorly ventilated areas where carbon monoxide or diesel exhaust could build up
  • Other unique or hazardous conditions in the workplace that could affect safe operation

Under (l)(5), if an operator has already been trained in a topic that suits the truck and the working conditions, and has been evaluated as competent, further training in that topic is not required.

How often

Initial training and evaluation come before the operator works unsupervised. After that, paragraph (l)(4) requires:

  • Refresher training, with an evaluation of its effectiveness, when the operator has been seen operating unsafely, been in an accident or near-miss, received an evaluation showing unsafe operation, is assigned to a different type of truck, or when a workplace condition changes in a way that could affect safe operation
  • An evaluation of each operator's performance at least once every three years

There is no annual classroom requirement in the standard. The three-year rule is for the performance evaluation.

Can it be done online?

Partly. Paragraph (l)(2)(ii) says training must be a combination of formal instruction, practical training and evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace. It lists "interactive computer learning" as one form of formal instruction, alongside lecture, discussion, video and written material.

The other two parts cannot be done on a screen. Practical training means demonstrations performed by the trainer and practical exercises performed by the trainee, and the evaluation takes place in the workplace. OSHA's compliance directive CPL 02-01-028 says video alone is not enough: OSHA requires a combination of formal instruction and practical training.

What our template covers: the formal-instruction part only. It does not certify anyone. An operator is only trained once the practical training and the workplace evaluation are done too.

Who can deliver it

All operator training and evaluation must be done by persons with the knowledge, training and experience to train powered industrial truck operators and evaluate their competence ((l)(2)(iii)). Trainees may operate a truck during training only under the direct supervision of such a person, and only where it does not endanger them or others ((l)(2)(i)).

OSHA's compliance directive allows outside trainers, such as consultants or manufacturers' representatives, but says citations for failure to train are always issued to the employer. OSHA does not issue forklift licences or cards: the employer certifies.

What records to keep

Paragraph (l)(6) requires the employer to certify that each operator has been trained and evaluated. The certification must include the operator's name, the date of the training, the date of the evaluation, and the identity of the person or persons who performed the training or evaluation.

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