An engineering firm asked OSHA whether a powered industrial truck is still 'in view' of its operator under 29 CFR 1910.178(m)(5) when the operator is not actively looking at the vehicle for short periods — for example, when the operator briefly turns their back on the truck or looks away to perform a momentary operation like grabbing something to load onto a pallet.
OSHA noted that the standard does not define 'in his view.' In the agency's interpretation, a vehicle would ordinarily remain visible to an operator during brief moments when the operator glances away, provided no obstructions block the view. In other words, momentary glances away do not automatically make the truck 'unattended' under 29 CFR 1910.178(m)(5)(ii).
The letter also flagged a common caveat: the inquirer was in Utah, which operates an OSHA-approved state plan with equivalent standards, and OSHA recommended contacting the Utah Labor Commission because state plans may apply stricter interpretations.