An apparatus for controlling a load handling device of an industrial vehicle is provided. The load handling device includes a mast assembly and a load handling attachment attached to the mast assembly. The apparatus includes a tilt angle detector that detects a tilt angle of the mast assembly, a controller that regulates a lifting speed of the load handling attachment, and a determination device that determines whether or not the load handling attachment is being lifted off the ground. When the determination device determines that the load handling attachment is being lifted off the ground, the controller permits the load handling attachment to be lifted at a speed faster than the regulated lifting speed.
