OSHA announces intent to update powered industrial trucks standards

Washington — OSHA has issued a proposed rule to update design and construction requirements in its powered industrial trucks standards for general industry and construction.

The agency says the proposed rule, published in the Feb. 16 Federal Register, will incorporate “the most relevant national consensus standards from the American National Standards Institute/Industrial Truck Standards Development Foundation (ANSI/ITSDF).”

OSHA adopted its powered industrial trucks standards in 1971, based on consensus standards from 1969. The Federal Register notice states those consensus standards have been updated 12 times since then, most recently in 2020.

ANSI changed its B56.1 standard, which formerly covered all PITs, in 1978. It now pertains to high lift and low lift trucks only. The organization added B56.5 for driverless, automatic guided industrial vehicles and automated functions on manned industrial vehicles, and B56.6 for rough terrain forklift trucks.

“OSHA is not aware of any other consensus standards covering powered industrial trucks in its scope, but requests comments on whether any other such standards exist and should be referenced by OSHA,” the notice states.

The agency also will address equipment manufactured before the final rule is scheduled to take effect.

“This proposal is part of a series of regulatory projects by OSHA to update nearly 200 consensus and industry standards to reflect the current versions of consensus and national industry standards,” an OSHA press release notes.

Comments are due May 17.