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Home›Courses›Safety Training›Operating A Telehandler Safely interactive Online Training

Operating A Telehandler Safely interactive Online Training

25 minutesENSafety Training29 CFR 1910.178, ANSI B56.6
Quick Answer

Operating a Telehandler Safely is a 25-minute online course that trains employees on the safe operation, inspection, and load handling procedures for telehandlers (telescopic handlers) as required by OSHA's Powered Industrial Truck standard (29 CFR 1910.178). It is designed for telehandler operators in construction, agriculture, and industrial settings and includes a downloadable certificate of completion.

Course Overview

Telehandlers are classified as Class 7 Rough Terrain Forklifts under OSHA's Powered Industrial Truck standard (29 CFR 1910.178), which ranked 8th on OSHA's FY 2025 Top 10 Most-Cited list with 1,826 violations. These machines lift loads up to 10,000 pounds and extend outward 30 to 40 feet, creating significant tip-over and falling load risks that differ substantially from conventional forklifts. OSHA data attributes roughly 100 fatalities and 35,000 serious injuries per year to powered industrial truck incidents overall. Employers must train and certify every telehandler operator before permitting independent operation, and violations of the training requirement carry penalties up to $16,550 per serious citation.

This course trains your employees on the unique operating characteristics and hazards of telehandlers. Your team will learn load chart interpretation, center of gravity management during boom extension, pre-operation inspection procedures, and safe driving techniques on rough terrain. The training covers proper attachment use, load stabilization during placement, and the critical differences between telehandler operation and conventional forklift operation that every operator must understand.

What You'll Learn

  • OSHA powered industrial truck training requirements under 29 CFR 1910.178(l)
  • Pre-operation inspection of boom, hydraulic systems, tires, and controls
  • Load chart interpretation and capacity limits at various boom angles and extensions
  • Center of gravity management and tip-over prevention during boom extension
  • Safe driving techniques on rough terrain, slopes, and uneven surfaces
  • Proper use of telehandler attachments including forks, buckets, and work platforms
  • Pedestrian awareness and communication procedures on active job sites

Who Needs This Training

  • Telehandler operators in construction, agriculture, and industrial settings
  • Workers transitioning from conventional forklift operation to telehandler use
  • Construction site supervisors overseeing material handling with telehandlers
  • Equipment rental customers who need operator training documentation
  • Farm and ranch workers using telehandlers for agricultural lifting tasks
  • Safety managers responsible for powered industrial truck compliance programs

Regulatory Background

Telehandlers fall under OSHA's Powered Industrial Truck standard at 29 CFR 1910.178 as Class 7 Rough Terrain Forklift Trucks, with additional design and safety standards in ANSI B56.6. The standard requires employers to provide formal instruction, practical training, and a performance evaluation before any operator is permitted to use the equipment independently. Operator performance must be evaluated at least every three years under 29 CFR 1910.178(l)(4)(iii), and refresher training is required when unsafe operation is observed, after accidents, or when workplace conditions change. Powered industrial truck violations ranked 8th on OSHA's FY 2025 Top 10 with 1,826 citations. Serious violations carry penalties up to $16,550, and willful violations can reach $165,514. Employers must maintain certification records documenting each operator's training and evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Under 29 CFR 1910.178(l), all powered industrial truck operators - including telehandler operators - must complete formal instruction, practical training, and a performance evaluation before operating equipment independently. Employers must certify each operator's training in writing, documenting the operator's name, training date, evaluation date, and the name of the trainer. There is no separate OSHA telehandler license, but the certification process is mandatory.
While both fall under 29 CFR 1910.178, telehandlers have unique operating characteristics that require additional training. The telescopic boom creates variable load capacities based on boom angle and extension - unlike the fixed mast on a conventional forklift. Telehandlers also operate on rough terrain, use multiple attachments, and have different tipping characteristics. OSHA requires that training be specific to the type of truck the operator will use.
Under 29 CFR 1910.178(l)(4)(iii), each operator's performance must be evaluated at least every three years. Refresher training is required sooner if the operator is observed operating unsafely, is involved in an accident or near-miss, receives an evaluation showing unsafe practices, is assigned a different type of truck, or if workplace conditions change in ways that affect safe operation.
Online training satisfies the formal instruction (theory) component of OSHA's requirements. However, 29 CFR 1910.178(l) requires three components: formal instruction, practical training with demonstrations, and a hands-on performance evaluation. The practical training and evaluation must be conducted at the worksite using the specific equipment the operator will use. Employers must complete and document all three components.
Tip-overs are the leading cause of serious telehandler incidents, often resulting from overloading the boom at full extension, operating on unstable ground, or driving on slopes with an elevated load. Struck-by injuries from falling loads, contact with overhead power lines, and crushing incidents from improper positioning also contribute to the injury toll. Most incidents are preventable through proper training, load chart compliance, and ground condition assessment.

Related Courses

Employers with mixed equipment fleets often pair telehandler training with Forklift Safety: Certify and Comply to ensure all powered industrial truck operators meet OSHA's certification requirements. For construction sites, adding Crane, Derrick, and Hoist Safety in Construction provides additional coverage for overhead lifting operations.

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$24.95
per person
Volume Pricing
Team Size Price per Person
1 - 9$24.95
10 - 24$19.95
25 - 49$17.95
50 - 99$17.50
Subtotal $24.95

Certificate of completion included. Downloadable upon passing the final assessment.

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$24.95
per person