Quick facts
| What it is | A forklift (usually Class I, IV or V) with a clamp attachment |
|---|---|
| Separate license? | No; it is forklift training that must include the attachment |
| Attachment topic | 1910.178(l)(3) requires instruction on fork and attachment use and limits |
| Governing rule | OSHA 29 CFR 1910.178(l), operator training |
| Who certifies | The employer, after training and a hands-on evaluation |
| Re-evaluation | At least once every 3 years |
What is a clamp truck?
A clamp truck is a counterbalanced forklift with a hydraulic clamp attachment mounted on the carriage in place of, or in addition to, the forks. The arms close on the sides of the load and hold it by pressure. Common types include carton clamps for boxed goods and appliances, paper roll clamps that can also rotate rolls, bale clamps for textiles or recyclables, and drum or block clamps.
Clamp trucks let warehouses move unpalletized goods, which saves pallet cost and space, but the operator now controls clamping pressure as well as lifting and tilting. Too little pressure can drop the load; too much can crush it.
Does OSHA require clamp truck certification?
OSHA does not use the phrase clamp truck certification, and there is no government clamp license. A clamp truck is a powered industrial truck, so 29 CFR 1910.178 applies. The employer must make sure the operator is trained and evaluated before operating independently, and must certify that this was done (1910.178(l)(6)).
1910.178(l)(3)(i) lists truck-related topics that training must cover, including fork and attachment adaptation, operation and use limitations, vehicle capacity and vehicle stability. For a clamp truck, that means the attachment has to be part of the training and the evaluation.
Capacity and data plate rules for attachments
A clamp changes the truck's capacity, because the attachment has its own weight and moves the load center. Under 1910.178(a)(4), modifications and additions that affect capacity and safe operation must not be made without the manufacturer's prior written approval, and capacity, operation and maintenance plates must be changed accordingly.
Under 1910.178(a)(5), if a truck has front-end attachments other than factory-installed ones, the user must request that the truck be marked to identify the attachment and show the approximate weight of the truck and attachment combination at maximum elevation with the load laterally centered. Operators should read that plate before every new type of load.
What clamp truck training should cover
Formal instruction covers the forklift itself. Site training then adds the attachment and the loads you handle.
- Reading the attachment data plate and the truck's revised capacity.
- Setting and checking clamp pressure for each product type.
- Visibility limits when large clamped loads block the view; travel in reverse when needed.
- Rotating clamps: keeping loads centered and stable while rotating.
- Inspecting arms, pads, hoses and fittings for leaks or damage before each shift.
- Stacking and unstacking clamped loads without striking adjacent product.
How to get clamp truck certified
Step 1 is formal forklift instruction. Our self-paced online course covers OSHA classes 1–6 and the general rules for attachments, capacity and stability, and ends with a final exam (70% to pass, free retakes). Step 2 is practical training on the clamp truck at your site, with the products you handle. Step 3 is the hands-on evaluation by a qualified person, using the evaluation form we provide. The employer then signs the certification.
If you change to a different attachment, such as moving from carton clamps to paper roll clamps, your employer should train and evaluate you on that attachment, because 1910.178(l)(4)(ii) requires refresher training when an operator is assigned to a different type of truck or when conditions change.
Start forklift training online
Self-paced forklift operator training for classes 1–6 is $69 per operator, with team pricing from $49 per seat at 50+ seats. Pay with just your email, sign in, and start in minutes.