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Manufacturer approval for forklift fork extensions

Summary OSHA wrote a fork extension seller about advertising the product for forklifts. It said extensions could affect truck stability and capacity, and users needed the forklift manufacturer’s prior written approval for modifications affecting safe operation. OSHA archives the letter.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1980-10-02
Date issued
October 2, 1980
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OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy.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 Equipment Modification
Source
View the official document

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The current status of this document is unclear
OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy.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 Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance, and verify current law before relying on anything here.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NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

October 2, 1980

Arrow Star Inc.
[Recipient address omitted]

Gentlemen:

Your recent catalog 82-5 advertises fork extensions which you offer for use on fork lift trucks. In our opinion, your ad misleads prospective customers. Fork extensions directly effect the stability, capacity, and safety of operation of fork lift trucks.

The Occupational Safety and Health Standard, 29 CFR 1910.178(a)(4) states, in part:

Modifications and additions which effect capacity and safety of operation shall not be performed by the customer or user without manufacturers prior written approval.

This approval is required to assure that the design criteria for the safe use of fork lift trucks will not be exceeded. Therefore, users of fork extensions who have not received manufacturers written approval for such modifications are in direct violation of the OSHA regulatory standard. It is recommended that your catalog reflect this requirement.

Sincerely,

John K. Barto, Chief
Division of Occupational
Safety Programming

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