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Forklift travel direction on grades and trailers

Summary An OSHA region asked how forklift travel rules applied while loading or unloading trailers. OSHA said loaded trucks on grades over ten percent had to keep the load upgrade, while the following travel-direction provision was advisory and aimed at other operations. OSHA archives the memo.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1976-11-12-0
Date issued
November 12, 1976
Status
Archived by the agency
OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy.
Status last verified October 10, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1910 Powered Industrial Trucks Forklifts Loading Docks
Source
View the official document

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OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy. It may no longer reflect the agency's current position. Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance, and verify current law before relying on anything here.
About this page: The full text below is the official document from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Ezel adds the plain-English summary and tracks the document's status. The official source linked on this page is authoritative for any reliance.

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

November 12, 1976

MEMORANDUM FOR: Area Directors

Subject: Powered Industrial Trucks - Clarification

A question has been raised regarding applicability of 29 CFR 1910.178(n)(7)(ii) to trucks engaged in loading or unloading trailers, since it does not seem to be compatible with 1910.178(n)(7)(ii).

Paragraph (i) is mandatory, and requires loaded trucks ascending or descending grader greater than 10% to be driven with the load upgrade. To do otherwise can be dangerous.

Paragraph (ii) is advisory, and is intended for operations other than direct loading and unloading of trailers. It should be considered a general recommendation for improved vision and comfort of the operator.
DAVID H. RHONE
Regional Administrator

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