Powered industrial trucks, commonly called forklifts or lift trucks, are used in many industries, primarily to move materials. They can be used to move, raise, lower, or remove large objects or a number of smaller objects on pallets or in boxes, crates, or other containers. It is also very common for the operator to modify or add attachments to lift trucks to enhance their usefulness for a specific workplace or operation. Due to the modifications and additions affecting the capacity and safe operation of a lift truck, users’ must request written approval, from the lift truck manufacturer, before it is used (OSHA 1910.178(a)(4)). The approval must include capacity restrictions, operation instructions, and maintenance recommendation.
Please be aware that OSHA would consider the lack of manufacturer’s approval to be a de minimis violation, if you obtain written approval from a qualified Registered Professional Engineer after receiving no response or a negative response from the lift truck manufacturer. If the manufacturer’s response was negative then the engineer, prior to granting approval for the modification or addition, would need to perform a safety analysis and address all safety and/or structural issues contained in the manufacturer’s disapproval. OSHA may not accept a professional engineer’s written approval if it does not address all of the manufacturer’s safety and structural issues.
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