A safety consultant asked OSHA whether the powered industrial truck standard, 29 CFR 1910.178, applies to three types of equipment: the Pack Mule Industrial Electric Vehicle (Models SC-775 and SCT-7750), designed to convey personnel and equipment like welding gear; the Dane Technologies QuicKART motorized shopping cart trolley (Models M3, M3 E, and M3 HD); and the Master Mover Stainless Steel Smart Mover motorized cart (Models Z60-00100, Z60-00101, and Z60-00102) used for moving racks and cages.
OSHA answered yes for all three. The regulation covers 'other specialized industrial trucks' powered by motors (29 CFR 1910.178(a)(1)), and ANSI B56.1-1969 defines a powered industrial truck as a 'mobile, power-driven vehicle used to carry, push, pull, lift, stack, or tier material.' Because these devices use electric motors and are designed to carry, push, or pull materials, they fall under the standard's requirements.
The letter builds on an earlier clarification (June 27, 2011) that golf cars — defined by ANSI/NGCMA Z130.1-2004 as vehicles for conveying persons and equipment on golf courses — are exempt from the standard. The key point OSHA reiterated is that the determining factor is the vehicle's design, not how it is actually used.