What is a Powered Industrial Truck?

According to OSHA:

"Any power–propelled truck used to carry, push, pull, lift, stack, or tier materials. Can be ridden or controlled by a walking operator. Earth moving and over the road haulage trucks are not included in the definition. Equipment that was designed to move earth but has been modified to accept forks are also not included."

Powered Industrial Trucks are categorized by the Industrial Truck Association (ITA), and include 7 different classifications, which are shown below.

Class 1

Electric Counterbalanced

Class 2

Electric Narrow Aisle

Class 3

Electric Powered Walk Behinds

Class 4

Counterbalanced, Internal Combustion, Cushion Tires, Gas, LPG, and Diesel Powered

Class 5

Counterbalanced, Internal Combustion, Pneumatic Tires, Gas, LPG, and Diesel Powered

Class 6

Tow Tractors - Internal Combustion, Gas, LPG, and Diesel Powered

Class 7

Rough Terrain - Internal Combustion, Gas, LPG, and Diesel Powered

Regulations & Standards

The following regulations and standards apply to the design and use of powered industrial trucks in the United States:

• OSHA 1910.178 Operations, Design, Applications, Training
• CalOSHA: Title 8, GISO 3649-3668 Operations, Design, Applications, Training
• ANSI/ITSDF B56.1, Class 1-5 Warehouse Forklifts
• ANSI/ITSDF B56.9 Class 6 Tug Tractors
• ANSI/ITSDF B56.6 Class 7 Rough Terrain Forklifts
• NFPA 505 Fire Safety Standard for Powered Industrial Trucks
• UL 583 Standard for Safety for Electric Battery Powered Industrial Trucks
• UL 558 Standard for Safety for Internal Combustion Engine Powered Industrial Trucks

ANSI/ITSDF standards are available free of charge from www.itsdf.org