Q: If a forklift was not originally manufactured with a seat belt, does the employer have to install a seat belt?
A: OHSA's enforcement policy relative to the use of seat belts on powered industrial trucks is that employers are obligated to require operators of powered industrial trucks which are equipped with operator restraint devices or seat belts to use the devices. OSHA may also issue citations if the employer has not taken advantage of a manufacturer operator restraint system or seat belt retrofit program.
