1910.178 Forklifts: citations, penalties and recently cited employers
Data as of October 5, 2026 · citations issued Oct 5, 2025 to Oct 5, 2026
Covers forklifts, pallet jacks, order pickers, and other powered industrial trucks. Operators must be trained and evaluated in the workplace before operating, with performance evaluations at least every three years and refresher training after incidents or unsafe operation. Trucks must be examined before being placed in service each day, and defective trucks removed from service until repaired. The standard also addresses truck designations for hazardous locations, battery charging, safe traveling and loading practices, and modifications.
What the standard requires
- Train and evaluate each operator before they operate a truck
- Re-evaluate operator performance at least every three years
- Examine trucks for defects before placing them in service each day
- Remove defective or unsafe trucks from service
- Use trucks approved for the type of location where they operate
Hazards it addresses
- Tip-overs crushing operators
- Pedestrians struck by forklifts
- Falling loads
- Falls from elevated platforms on trucks
One of the most cited standards in warehousing, distribution, manufacturing, and lumber and building supply.
Plain-language summary written for this site; it is not the regulatory text and not legal advice. Read the official text at eCFR.
Citations by month
Inspections with citations issued, by month of issuance. Hatched months are incomplete: citations reach the public data about a month after issuance.
Most-cited paragraphs
| Paragraph | What it covers | Items | Inspections | Median initial penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1910.178(l)(6) | Certification of operator training and evaluation | 392 | 392 | $0 |
| 1910.178(l)(1)(i) | Operator competence ensured through training and evaluation | 376 | 376 | $3,547 |
| 1910.178(l)(4)(iii) | Operator performance evaluation at least once every three years | 278 | 278 | $50 |
| 1910.178(q)(7) | Trucks examined before being placed in service, at least daily | 179 | 179 | $0 |
| 1910.178(a)(4) | 161 | 161 | $2,270 | |
| 1910.178(p)(1) | Trucks found unsafe taken out of service until restored | 147 | 147 | $2,412 |
| 1910.178(l)(1)(ii) | 118 | 118 | $3,500 | |
| 1910.178(a)(6) | 112 | 112 | $0 | |
| 1910.178(l)(2)(ii) | 94 | 94 | $2,270 | |
| 1910.178(a)(5) | 69 | 68 | $0 | |
| 1910.178(q)(1) | 60 | 60 | $1,250 | |
| 1910.178(l) | 54 | 54 | $350 | |
| 1910.178(o)(1) | 44 | 43 | $5,462 | |
| 1910.178(l)(4)(ii)(B) | 32 | 32 | $6,696 | |
| 1910.178(m)(5)(i) | 32 | 32 | $1,257 |
Penalties
Across 2,530 alleged items, OSHA and state-plan offices proposed $9,032,634 in initial penalties. The current total in the public data is $6,497,950, 28% lower after settlements, contests and amendments.
By violation type: Serious 58%; Other-than-serious 40%; Repeat 2%; Willful 0%.
Citations by state
| State | Inspections cited | Items | Initial penalties | Current penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 109 | 113 | $128,300 | $109,015 |
| Illinois | 101 | 140 | $554,977 | $364,536 |
| Florida | 98 | 135 | $858,167 | $700,484 |
| New Jersey | 90 | 108 | $774,449 | $578,834 |
| Oregon | 90 | 118 | $75,479 | $72,743 |
| Maryland | 84 | 160 | $73,950 | $58,829 |
| Texas | 78 | 124 | $1,036,731 | $792,367 |
| Tennessee | 76 | 144 | $122,700 | $118,357 |
| Virginia | 64 | 90 | $174,285 | $159,913 |
| Ohio | 63 | 81 | $414,696 | $256,204 |
| New York | 59 | 86 | $333,566 | $262,288 |
| Wisconsin | 58 | 97 | $413,552 | $265,190 |
| Massachusetts | 57 | 100 | $752,186 | $391,531 |
| North Carolina | 50 | 70 | $187,695 | $143,864 |
| Michigan | 43 | 43 | $400 | $400 |
| Georgia | 42 | 56 | $226,005 | $183,434 |
| Nevada | 40 | 45 | $130,735 | $77,069 |
| Kansas | 39 | 54 | $142,081 | $100,641 |
| Utah | 37 | 52 | $41,667 | $33,055 |
| Missouri | 35 | 53 | $368,052 | $264,615 |
By industry
- Manufacturing: 743 inspections
- Construction: 268 inspections
- Wholesale trade: 233 inspections
- Transportation & warehousing: 201 inspections
- Retail trade: 123 inspections
- Administrative & waste services: 49 inspections
- Other services: 39 inspections
- Real estate & rental: 13 inspections
Recently cited establishments
About these records. Citations list alleged violations and proposed penalties. Employers can contest them, and many are reduced or withdrawn in settlement. Each row shows the original and the current penalty and a status label derived from the public data as of October 5, 2026. Check the linked osha.gov page for the official record.
| Establishment | Location | Issued | Alleged items | Initial penalty | Current penalty | Status and deadlines | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xcessories Squared Development & MFG., Inc. | Auburn, IL | Sep 3, 2026 | 2 | $9,931 | $9,931 | OpenAbatement due Oct 5, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 25, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Western Crane Service Inc. | Richardsville, KY | Sep 3, 2026 | 2 | $4,900 | $4,900 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 8, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Efulfill, Inc. | Lockport, IL | Sep 2, 2026 | 1 | $13,240 | $9,268 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 22, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Gerrity Industries | Leeds, ME | Sep 1, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | OpenAbatement due Dec 3, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 23, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Northeast Pine Companies, Inc. | Harwich, MA | Aug 31, 2026 | 3 | $12,768 | $8,938 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 29, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Aacer Sports Flooring & Infinity Wood Floors | Crandon, WI | Aug 31, 2026 | 2 | $8,276 | $8,276 | OpenAbatement due Sep 29, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 22, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Winco Foods, LLC | Las Vegas, NV | Aug 31, 2026 | 1 | $1,328 | $1,328 | OpenContest deadline ~Sep 22, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Quality Solid Surface, Inc. | Paterson, NJ | Aug 31, 2026 | 1 | $4,965 | $4,965 | OpenAbatement due Sep 11, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 22, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| First Choice Food Service of VA, Inc. | Wilson, NC | Aug 31, 2026 | 3 | $3,300 | $3,300 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 9, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Butterball, LLC | Raeford, NC | Aug 31, 2026 | 1 | $4,225 | $4,225 | Final orderAbatement due Oct 16, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Om Log (usa) Inc. | Phillipsburg, NJ | Aug 31, 2026 | 1 | $10,641 | $6,385 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 25, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Imperial Stone USA Inc. | Garden City Park, NY | Aug 31, 2026 | 1 | $3,547 | $3,547 | OpenContest deadline ~Sep 22, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Great Northern Corporation | Appleton, WI | Aug 28, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | OpenContest deadline ~Sep 21, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Les Schwab Warehouse Center LLC | Prineville, OR | Aug 28, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 8, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Aeko Kula LLC | Honolulu, HI | Aug 28, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | OpenAbatement due Sep 8, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 21, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Sun Isle West, Inc. | Honolulu, HI | Aug 28, 2026 | 1 | $4,020 | $2,613 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 3, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Giant Food LLC | Jessup, MD | Aug 28, 2026 | 1 | $2,400 | $1,680 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 8, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Colonial Distributing Holdings, Inc. | Pensacola, FL | Aug 27, 2026 | 2 | $0 | $0 | OpenAbatement due Sep 25, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 18, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Webasto Roof Systems Inc. | Lexington, KY | Aug 27, 2026 | 2 | $6,300 | $3,780 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 31, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Degeest Corporation | Tea, SD | Aug 27, 2026 | 1 | $3,376 | $2,026 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 29, 2026 | osha.gov |
| D.a.b. Contractors LLC | Aurora, IL | Aug 27, 2026 | 1 | $2,270 | $680 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 11, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Fence Direct Inc. | Orlando, FL | Aug 27, 2026 | 1 | $2,270 | $1,362 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 23, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Navillus Tile, Inc. | Carlstadt, NJ | Aug 27, 2026 | 1 | $14,895 | $14,895 | OpenAbatement due Sep 23, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 18, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| JNC Masonry LLC | Trenton, MI | Aug 27, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 16, 2026 | osha.gov |
| East Coast Stairs Company, Inc. | South Windsor, CT | Aug 26, 2026 | 2 | $3,972 | $1,986 | Informal settlementAbatement due Oct 14, 2026 | osha.gov |
| H-2-O Help & Hope to Others | Dallas, OR | Aug 26, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 8, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Diversified Services, Inc. | Wichita, KS | Aug 26, 2026 | 1 | $472 | $472 | OpenContest deadline ~Sep 17, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| International Warehousing & Shipping LLC | Mobile, AL | Aug 26, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | OpenAbatement due Sep 24, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 17, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| PTS- Power Temp Systems, Inc. | Houston, TX | Aug 26, 2026 | 2 | $29,790 | $29,790 | OpenAbatement due Sep 15, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 17, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Xante Corporation | Mobile, AL | Aug 26, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | OpenAbatement due Sep 24, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 17, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Deshazo LLC | Winchester, KY | Aug 26, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 31, 2026 | osha.gov |
| M Amundson Cigar and Candy Company LLP | Minneapolis, MN | Aug 26, 2026 | 1 | $750 | $750 | ContestedAbatement due Aug 31, 2026Contested Sep 1, 2026 | osha.gov |
| OCM PR LLC | Arecibo, PR | Aug 25, 2026 | 1 | $7,235 | $7,235 | ContestedAbatement due Sep 18, 2026Contested Sep 15, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Lipman-Colorado, LLC | Frederick, CO | Aug 25, 2026 | 1 | $14,895 | $14,895 | OpenAbatement due Sep 21, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 16, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Kerry Biofunctional Ingredients Inc. | Rochester, MN | Aug 25, 2026 | 1 | $2,800 | $1,680 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 4, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Eischen Cabinet Company | Hastings, MN | Aug 24, 2026 | 1 | $750 | $750 | ContestedAbatement due Aug 28, 2026Contested Aug 26, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Quaker Houghton PA, Inc. | Middletown, OH | Aug 24, 2026 | 1 | $11,823 | $5,900 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 18, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Kevin Court Pallets LLC | Louisville, KY | Aug 24, 2026 | 1 | $3,500 | $2,100 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 28, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Litens Distribution, Inc. | Perrysburg, OH | Aug 24, 2026 | 1 | $5,628 | $3,940 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 17, 2026 | osha.gov |
| 360 Builders Inc. | Vermillion, SD | Aug 24, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 24, 2026 | osha.gov |
Often cited together
- 1910.1200 Hazard Communication (312 shared inspections)
- 1910.303 Electrical General (244 shared inspections)
- 1910.147 Lockout/Tagout (240 shared inspections)
- 1910.305 Wiring Methods (232 shared inspections)
- 1910.212 Machine Guarding (219 shared inspections)
- 1910.132 PPE General Requirements (178 shared inspections)
- 1910.157 Fire Extinguishers (177 shared inspections)
- 1910.28 Fall Protection Duty (136 shared inspections)
Questions
What does OSHA standard 1910.178 require?
Covers forklifts, pallet jacks, order pickers, and other powered industrial trucks. Operators must be trained and evaluated in the workplace before operating, with performance evaluations at least every three years and refresher training after incidents or unsafe operation. Trucks must be examined before being placed in service each day, and defective trucks removed from service until repaired. The standard also addresses truck designations for hazardous locations, battery charging, safe traveling and loading practices, and modifications.
How often was 1910.178 cited in the last 12 months?
In the public data as of October 5, 2026, 1910.178 (Forklifts) appeared in 1,742 inspections with citations issued between Oct 5, 2025 and Oct 5, 2026, covering 2,530 alleged violation items.
Which part of 1910.178 is cited most?
1910.178(l)(6) was the most-cited paragraph, with 392 items: Certification of operator training and evaluation
Which states cite 1910.178 most often?
The most citations under 1910.178 in this period were issued in Minnesota, Illinois, Florida.
What is the typical penalty for a 1910.178 violation?
The median initial (proposed) penalty per item was $1,207; the median current penalty after settlements and amendments was $600. Totals: $9,032,634 proposed, $6,497,950 current. Penalties vary by violation type, employer size and history, and State Plans set their own amounts.
Are 1910.178 citations final?
Not necessarily. A citation is an allegation until it becomes a final order. 10% of these items were contested, and many others were changed in settlements. Each listing shows its current status and a link to the official record.