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Backup alarms on construction forklifts

Summary A lawyer asked whether construction forklifts needed backup warning signals. OSHA said backup alarms were not required for forklifts used in construction and noted it did not compile the requested model-specific incident data. OSHA archives the letter and warns it may no longer represent current policy.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1993-10-26
Date issued
October 26, 1993
Status
Archived by the agency
OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent current policy.
Status last verified October 9, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1926 Forklifts Construction
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OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent current policy.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 Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance, and verify current law before relying on anything here.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NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.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 26, 1993
Mr. Jay Thomas Korth
Korth & Korth
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Korth:
This is to confirm in writing the information provided to you by telephone conversation on October 8 in response to your letter of September 15. In that letter you requested the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to provide you with information relative to fork-lifts used in construction.
With respect to your specific questions, please be advised as follows:

1.) Back-up alarms are not required on fork-lifts used in construction.
2.) The type of data you requested on violations, complaints, and accident reports concerning fork-lifts, is not compiled by OSHA.
3.) Copy of applicable regulations is enclosed.

If we can be of any further assistance, please contact me or Mr. Dale Cavanaugh of my staff at (202) 219-8136.
Sincerely,
Roy F. Gurnham, P.E., Esq.
Director Office of Construction and Maritime
Compliance Assistance
Enclosure

[Requester letter reproduced on OSHA page; omitted here.]

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