Quick facts
| OSHA class | Class II, electric motor narrow-aisle truck |
|---|---|
| Key feature | Mast or forks extend (reach) forward between or beyond outriggers |
| Typical use | High-bay warehouse racking in narrow 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 |
How does a reach truck work?
A reach truck has two outrigger legs at the front that carry part of the load's weight, so it does not need a heavy counterweight like a sit-down forklift. To pick up a pallet, the operator lifts the forks to the right height and extends the mast or a pantograph mechanism forward to reach into the rack. The load is then retracted back over the outriggers before travel.
Because the truck is shorter and turns tightly, a reach truck can work in aisles narrower than a counterbalanced forklift needs. Many models lift loads to heights well above what a typical counterbalanced truck reaches; the exact limits are on the truck's data plate.
Is a reach truck a forklift?
Yes. OSHA treats reach trucks as powered industrial trucks covered by 29 CFR 1910.178, the same standard that covers sit-down forklifts. In OSHA's Powered Industrial Trucks eTool, reach trucks are grouped in Class II with other electric narrow-aisle trucks such as order pickers and turret trucks.
In everyday use, people often say forklift to mean a counterbalanced truck. On a job posting, reach truck experience usually means experience with this specific narrow-aisle type.
Reach truck vs. counterbalance forklift
The trucks handle the same pallets but behave differently. Training must cover the differences, because 1910.178(l)(3) requires instruction on the truck's controls, stability, visibility and capacity.
- Capacity drops as the load is raised and extended; read the truck's data plate for capacity at height.
- Stand-up operation on most models, with a side-facing operator position.
- Rear-wheel steering with a very tight turning radius, which can surprise new operators.
- Indoor, smooth-floor use only; reach trucks are not designed for rough or uneven ground.
How do you get reach truck certified?
There is no government reach truck license. The employer certifies each operator after training and evaluation under 1910.178(l). Formal instruction can be taken online; our self-paced course covers classes 1–6, including Class II reach trucks, and ends with a final exam (70% to pass, free retakes).
After the course, a qualified person at your workplace evaluates you on the reach truck you will use, in the aisles and racking where you will work. The employer records your name, training date, evaluation date and the evaluator's identity, as 1910.178(l)(6) requires.
Reach truck safety tips
Most reach truck incidents involve rack strikes, loads falling from height and pedestrians in aisles. Good habits reduce all three.
- Retract the load fully before traveling and keep it low.
- Stop and square up to the rack before extending.
- Check overhead clearance and rack load limits.
- Follow aisle rules for pedestrians and use the horn at aisle ends.
How often is reach truck training renewed?
An evaluation is required at least every three years. Refresher training is also required after unsafe operation, an accident or near miss, a failed evaluation, assignment to a different type of truck, or a change in workplace conditions (1910.178(l)(4)).
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.