Quick facts
| OSHA class | Class VII, rough terrain forklift truck |
|---|---|
| Construction rule | 1926.602(d) requires training per 1910.178(l) |
| Covered by our course? | No; our course covers classes 1–6 |
| Next step | Telehandler-specific training plus employer evaluation |
What is a telehandler?
A telehandler, also called a telescopic handler, reach forklift or by brand names, is a rough terrain lift truck with a boom that extends forward and up. It is used on construction sites, farms and yards to place materials on roofs, upper floors and trailers. Large pneumatic tires and four-wheel drive let it work on uneven ground.
Because the load can be far in front of the machine, a telehandler's capacity changes with boom angle and extension. Operators work from a load chart, not a single capacity number.
What OSHA requires for telehandler operators
OSHA classifies rough terrain forklift trucks as Class VII in its Powered Industrial Trucks eTool. In general industry, 1910.178 applies. On construction sites, 29 CFR 1926.602(d) states that training of powered industrial truck operators must comply with 1910.178(l). Either way, the employer must ensure the operator is trained and evaluated on the telehandler and certify it.
If a telehandler is fitted with a hook, jib or winch to lift suspended loads, other rules may apply. Check the manufacturer's instructions and OSHA guidance for that configuration before use.
Does your online course cover telehandlers?
No. Our self-paced course covers OSHA classes 1–6: electric rider trucks, narrow-aisle trucks, hand and hand-rider trucks, internal combustion cushion and pneumatic tire trucks, and tractors. We do not teach load charts, boom operation or rough terrain stability for telehandlers, so our certificate should not be used as telehandler training.
Where to get telehandler training
Look for a course that covers telehandler controls, load charts, attachments and rough terrain stability, followed by a hands-on evaluation on the model you will use. Equipment dealers, rental companies and manufacturers often offer this. Your employer remains responsible for the evaluation and certification.
- Ask whether the course includes load chart exercises.
- Ask about attachments you use, such as buckets, platforms or jibs.
- Make sure the hands-on evaluation is on your model or a similar one.
What does telehandler training usually cover?
OSHA's training topics in 1910.178(l)(3) apply to every powered industrial truck, so a telehandler course should go through each one as it applies to a variable-reach machine. That includes operating instructions and warnings for the specific model, the controls and instruments in the cab, engine operation, steering and maneuvering, visibility with the boom raised or loaded, attachment use and limits, capacity, stability, inspection and maintenance, refueling, and operating limitations.
Workplace topics matter just as much on a job site: surface conditions, ramps and slopes, ground that may give way, pedestrian traffic, narrow or congested areas, and overhead hazards such as power lines.
- Reading the load chart for boom angle, extension and attachment.
- Using outriggers or stabilizers where the machine has them.
- Leveling the frame before raising a load.
- Traveling with the boom retracted and the load low.
- Rules for any attachment used to lift people, which the manufacturer must approve.
Why load charts make telehandlers different
A counterbalanced warehouse forklift has a single rated capacity at a stated load center on its data plate. A telehandler's capacity falls as the boom extends and changes with boom angle, attachment, and whether stabilizers are down. Operators have to read the correct load chart for the attachment fitted and check the load's weight and position before every lift. Most telehandler tip-overs involve exceeding the chart, traveling with the load raised, or working on a slope.
This is the main reason we do not present our classes 1–6 course as telehandler training. The stability and capacity content in our course is written for warehouse trucks, not variable-reach machines.
How employers document telehandler certification
The certification record is the same as for any powered industrial truck: the operator's name, the date of training, the date of evaluation, and the identity of the person who trained or evaluated (1910.178(l)(6)). Keep separate entries for each truck type, so it is clear which machines each operator has been evaluated on.
Telehandler certification checklist
Before a worker runs a telehandler on their own, the employer should be able to answer yes to each of these: the operator finished telehandler-specific instruction, practiced under supervision on the model in use, passed a hands-on evaluation by a qualified person, and has a certification record on file. The operator should also know where the load charts are kept and which attachments are approved for the machine.
If you also drive warehouse forklifts
Many workers run both a telehandler on site and a counterbalanced forklift in a yard or warehouse. Our course covers the warehouse classes, so you can combine it with separate telehandler training.
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.