If your employees operate forklifts, you have a legal and ethical responsibility to make sure they’re trained, certified, and safe. Powered industrial trucks (PITs), including forklifts, are involved in thousands of workplace accidents every year, and many of them are preventable with the right training.
In this post, National Safety Compliance will break down OSHA’s forklift certification requirements in 2025, what your training program must include, and how to avoid common mistakes that can lead to citations, injuries, or worse.
Whether you’re training new hires or providing refresher courses, NSC will help you stay compliant and protect your team!
Why Forklift Certification Matters
Operating a forklift might look simple, but the risks are anything but. Every year, unsafe forklift use leads to serious injuries, fatalities, and costly damage to inventory and property.
OSHA takes these incidents seriously, and they expect employers to:
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Provide formal training before anyone operates a forklift
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Evaluate every operator’s performance
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Repeat training when necessary (not just every 3 years)
Failure to follow OSHA forklift training requirements (outlined in 29 CFR 1910.178(l)) can result in costly fines, lost productivity, and long-term legal liability.
OSHA Forklift Certification Requirements: What Employers Must Do
Here’s a breakdown of what OSHA expects you to include in your forklift training program:
1. Formal Instruction
Employees must complete formal education using lectures, videos, written materials, or online courses. This portion should cover:
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Types of forklifts and their controls
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OSHA regulations and safety standards
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Operator responsibilities and workplace safety rules
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Equipment stability, load handling, and inspection protocols
NSC’s Forklift Safety Training provides a complete training kit that covers all major OSHA topics in an easy-to-use format.
2. Hands-On Training
Formal instruction alone isn’t enough. Operators must get behind the wheel and demonstrate that they can:
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Maneuver safely in real workplace conditions
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Perform pre-use inspections
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Load and unload properly
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React appropriately to obstacles and hazards
This hands-on portion should be supervised by someone who knows how to operate forklifts safely and understands the equipment.
3. Evaluation of Performance
You must evaluate each operator’s performance in the workplace. OSHA requires employers to:
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Observe and score each operator on safety practices
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Document evaluations and store the records
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Re-evaluate every three years or sooner if unsafe behavior occurs
Training should not end after one session. If an operator has an incident, is observed operating unsafely, or changes job environments or equipment, refresher training is required immediately.
Understanding Forklift Load Stability & Center of Gravity
One of the most overlooked topics in forklift training is load stability. Many accidents happen because operators don’t understand how a load’s weight and positioning affect balance.
OSHA’s forklift center of gravity standards emphasize:
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Keeping loads stable and low
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Avoiding sharp turns or sudden stops
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Understanding how attachments affect balance
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Not exceeding the load capacity of the equipment
Need help covering this topic? NSC’s Forklift Load Stability Training Course is designed to reduce rollover risks and improve operator awareness.
Who Must Be OSHA-Certified to Operate a Forklift?
Forklift training isn’t just for warehouse workers. OSHA requires anyone who operates a powered industrial truck to complete training. This includes:
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Manufacturing floor staff
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Shipping/receiving personnel
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Temporary workers or seasonal employees
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Supervisors who may operate forklifts in emergencies
It doesn’t matter how infrequently someone uses a forklift. Training and certification are still required!
How Often Should Forklift Training Be Renewed?
At a minimum, OSHA requires refresher training every 3 years, but retraining is also required:
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After an accident or near-miss
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If an operator is observed using equipment unsafely
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When new equipment is introduced
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If workplace conditions change significantly
Documentation matters. Be sure to keep a log of all completed training sessions, evaluations, and retraining dates in case of an audit.
How NSC Helps You Meet MEWP Training Requirements
At National Safety Compliance, we help employers meet OSHA’s forklift certification requirements with accessible, high-quality training resources—all created with real workplaces in mind.
Here’s how we make it easier:
Forklift Safety Training Videos
Complete, OSHA-aligned kits with facilitator guides, quizzes, certificates, and engaging visuals.
Forklift Load Stability Course
Help your team understand and prevent tip-overs and dropped loads.
All Access Pass
Get unlimited access to every OSHA training video in NSC’s library! This option is perfect for companies with ongoing compliance needs.
OSHA General Industry Regulations (2025 Edition)
Keep the current standards at your fingertips with our OSHA 29 CFR 1910 General Industry Regulations book.
Forklift Certification in 2025
Forklift safety isn't optional; it’s required by law. Whether you’re hiring new team members or reviewing procedures for 2025, now is the time to double-check that your training program meets every OSHA standard.
National Safety Compliance makes it easy to get your team certified, trained, and prepared!
Explore our complete line of forklift training products or save time and money with the All Access Pass. Have questions? Reach out to us anytime. Our friendly team is here to help!