In material-handling environments, risk is everywhere. Forklifts move thousands of pounds through tight aisles, operators navigate busy pedestrian zones, and one wrong move leads to crushed products, equipment damage, or serious injury.

OSHA Forklift Standards

At the heart of forklift safety and compliance in the U.S. is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Their standard for powered industrial trucks (this includes forklifts), is codified under 29 CFR 1910.178.

This regulation establishes requirements for the maintenance and use of “powered industrial trucks”, vehicles like forklifts and motorized hand trucks.

OSHA Powered Industrial Truck Training Requirements:

• Only trained and certified operators may operate a forklift. It is a federal violation to allow untrained or under-age (under 18) workers to operate powered industrial trucks.
• Employers must ensure that each operator is competent to operate the equipment safely. Training must cover both truck-specific topics (how the forklift works, capacity, load handling, etc.) and workplace-specific hazards (layout, pedestrian traffic, floor conditions, load types, etc.
• New operators must receive a combination of formal instruction (lecture, video, reading), practical (hands-on) training, and a performance evaluation before being allowed to operate independently.
• Operators must be re-evaluated at least once every three years, or sooner if there’s evidence of an accident occurring, unsafe operation, a workplace change, or introduction of a different type of forklift.
• Additionally, OSHA’s broader “manual materials handling” and “material handling and storage” standards (e.g. 29 CFR 1910.176) address overall safe storage, stacking, load clearances, and mechanical equipment use.

Together, these standards set a clear legal baseline for safe forklift operations and material handling.

The Value of Operator Training & Certification

So why does OSHA insist on formal training and certification rather than “on-the-job learning”? Because data and experience show that proper training significantly reduces accidents, and therefore saves lives.

A compliant, high-quality forklift operator training program delivers real benefits across your entire operation. It creates competent, confident operators who understand how forklifts behave, how load stability works, and how to conduct proper pre-use inspections. With better awareness and decision-making operators significantly reduce the likelihood of tipping, overloading or collisions that cause costly damage.

Certification also gives employers documented proof of OSHA compliance, helping avoid penalties during audits or inspections. Additionally, skilled operators improve productivity and cut down on repairs, product loss, and downtime. Together, ongoing training and regular evaluations strengthen a culture of safety and support broader material-handling guidelines, which ensures everyone goes home safe while the work keeps moving.

Keep Your Operation Prepared and Compliant

Safety and compliance require ongoing attention. Forklift certifications expire, teams change, and workplaces evolve, which means regular training is essential to keep everyone protected and performing at their best. Reviewing operation qualifications and updating training helps maintain OSHA compliance, strengthen a proactive safety culture, and prevent downtime before it starts.

Morrison Industrial Equipment proudly partners with TrainMOR, a trusted leader in OSHA-compliant operator education. TrainMOR’s team brings decades of hands-on industry experience together with memorable operator training. We’re committed to equipping your workforce with the knowledge and certification they need to operate safely and efficiently.