Quick facts
| OSHA class | Class I (stand-up counterbalanced) or Class II (stand-up reach truck) |
|---|---|
| Power | Electric (battery) |
| Typical use | Docks, trailers and narrow warehouse aisles |
| 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 stand up forklift?
A stand up forklift, often called a stand-up rider or end-rider, puts the operator on a platform at the back of the truck instead of in a seat. The operator faces sideways or forward and controls travel, steering and the mast from a standing position, usually with a tiller or a multi-function handle and a brake or presence pedal on the floor.
Because the operator can step on and off quickly, stand up trucks are popular on loading docks and in operations where drivers dismount many times a shift. Their compact chassis and tight turning radius also make them a good fit for narrower aisles than a typical sit-down counterbalanced forklift needs.
What class is a stand up forklift?
OSHA groups powered industrial trucks into seven classes in its Powered Industrial Trucks eTool. A stand-up counterbalanced forklift is an electric motor rider truck, which is Class I. A stand-up reach truck, which reaches its forks forward into racking, is an electric motor narrow-aisle truck, which is Class II.
Knowing the class matters because training and evaluation must match the truck. 29 CFR 1910.178(l)(3) lists truck-related topics such as controls, steering and maneuvering, visibility, capacity and stability. Those topics play out differently on a stand-up truck than on a sit-down truck.
How is a stand up forklift different from a sit-down forklift?
The biggest differences are the operator position and how you leave the truck in an emergency. On most stand-up trucks the operator is trained to step off the back if the truck tips, while on a sit-down truck the operator is trained to stay in the seat with the seatbelt fastened. Follow the manufacturer's operating instructions for the exact truck.
- Steering often feels reversed compared with a car, because the steer wheel is under the operator platform.
- Releasing the presence pedal or the deadman control typically applies the brake.
- Foot and leg protection matters: keep feet inside the operator compartment.
- Stand-up trucks are electric, so battery charging rules in 29 CFR 1910.178(g) apply.
How do you get certified on a stand up forklift?
OSHA does not issue forklift licenses. Instead, 29 CFR 1910.178(l) requires the employer to make sure each operator is trained and evaluated before operating independently. Training is a combination of formal instruction, practical training and an evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace.
Formal instruction can be delivered online. Our self-paced course covers classes 1–6, including stand-up counterbalanced and reach trucks, and ends with a final exam that needs 70% or higher to pass, with free retakes. After that, a qualified person at your workplace watches you operate the stand-up truck you will use and completes the evaluation form we provide.
The employer then certifies the operator. Under 1910.178(l)(6) the certification must include the operator's name, the date of training, the date of evaluation and the identity of the person who performed the training or evaluation.
How often does stand up forklift training need to be renewed?
An operator's performance must be evaluated at least once every three years under 1910.178(l)(4)(iii). Refresher training is required sooner if the operator is seen operating unsafely, is involved in an accident or near miss, fails an evaluation, is assigned a different type of truck, or workplace conditions change in a way that affects safe operation.
Stand up forklift safety basics
Most stand-up incidents involve the operator's lower body leaving the compartment or the truck striking racking or a dock edge. Training should cover keeping limbs inside the truck, slowing before turns, checking dock plates and trailer restraints, and never traveling with the forks raised.
- Do a pre-shift inspection using an inspection checklist before each shift.
- Look in the direction of travel and use the horn at intersections.
- Keep loads low and tilted back while traveling.
- Never let anyone ride on the truck or stand under raised forks.
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.