1910.253(b)(5)(ii): Moving and Handling Gas Cylinders
Employers must handle compressed gas cylinders safely: use a cradle, boat or platform when lifting by crane, never slings or magnets, and do not drop or strike cylinders. Valve caps must be in place and regulators removed before moving unless on a special truck, valves must be closed, and cylinders must be kept away from sparks, slag, flame and electric circuits.
Key takeaways
- 1910.253(b)(5)(ii) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart Q).
- OSHA cited it 11 times in the last 3 years, in 10 inspections, with $17,038 in current penalties.
- Most citations: CO (2), FL (1), PR (1).
- Related part: 1910.253(b) Cylinders and containers (902 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.253(b)(5)(ii) is one requirement inside 1910.253 Oxygen-fuel gas welding and cutting, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart Q). It includes 18 sub-paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(ii) 11 citations
(A) When transporting cylinders by a crane or derrick, a cradle, boat, or suitable platform shall be used. Slings or electric magnets shall not be used for this purpose. Valve-protection caps, where cylinder is designed to accept a cap, shall always be in place. Open (b)(5)(ii)(a)
(B) Cylinders shall not be dropped or struck or permitted to strike each other violently. Open (b)(5)(ii)(b) 1 citations
(C) Valve-protection caps shall not be used for lifting cylinders from one vertical position to another. Bars shall not be used under valves or valve-protection caps to pry cylinders loose when frozen to the ground or otherwise fixed; the use of warm (not boiling) water is recommended. Valve-protection caps are designed to protect cylinder valves from damage.
(D) Unless cylinders are secured on a special truck, regulators shall be removed and valve-protection caps, when provided for, shall be put in place before cylinders are moved. Open (b)(5)(ii)(d) 4 citations
(E) Cylinders not having fixed hand wheels shall have keys, handles, or nonadjustable wrenches on valve stems while these cylinders are in service. In multiple cylinder installations only one key or handle is required for each manifold.
(F) Cylinder valves shall be closed before moving cylinders.
(G) Cylinder valves shall be closed when work is finished. 2 citations
(H) Valves of empty cylinders shall be closed.
(I) Cylinders shall be kept far enough away from the actual welding or cutting operation so that sparks, hot slag, or flame will not reach them, or fire-resistant shields shall be provided. Open (b)(5)(ii)(i) 3 citations
(J) Cylinders shall not be placed where they might become part of an electric circuit. Contacts with third rails, trolley wires, etc., shall be avoided. Cylinders shall be kept away from radiators, piping systems, layout tables, etc., that may be used for grounding electric circuits such as for arc welding machines. Any practice such as the tapping of an electrode against a cylinder to strike an arc shall be prohibited. 1 citations
(K) Cylinders shall never be used as rollers or supports, whether full or empty.
(L) The numbers and markings stamped into cylinders shall not be tampered with.
(M) No person, other than the gas supplier, shall attempt to mix gases in a cylinder. No one, except the owner of the cylinder or person authorized by him, shall refill a cylinder.
(N) No one shall tamper with safety devices in cylinders or valves.
(O) Cylinders shall not be dropped or otherwise roughly handled.
(P) Unless connected to a manifold, oxygen from a cylinder shall not be used without first attaching an oxygen regulator to the cylinder valve. Before connecting the regulator to the cylinder valve, the valve shall be opened slightly for an instant and then closed. Always stand to one side of the outlet when opening the cylinder valve.
(Q) A hammer or wrench shall not be used to open cylinder valves. If valves cannot be opened by hand, the supplier shall be notified.
(R)
(1) Cylinder valves shall not be tampered with nor should any attempt be made to repair them. If trouble is experienced, the supplier should be sent a report promptly indicating the character of the trouble and the cylinder's serial number. Supplier's instructions as to its disposition shall be followed.
(2) Complete removal of the stem from a diaphragm-type cylinder valve shall be avoided.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.253.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 5 |
Top states: CO (2), FL (1), PR (1), IA (1), AL (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| VTCU, CORP. | POCATELLO, ID | $14,188 |
| STEEL SERVICES & SUPPLIES INC. | TOA BAJA, PR | $1,000 |
| FAST TIRE | ANKENY, IA | $837 |
| 109905 - WANNER ENGINEERING INC | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $540 |
| ATLANTIC BIOFUELS LLC | BALTIMORE, MD | $473 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.253(b)(5)(ii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Safety of Compressed Gas Cylinders on Portable Carts (2021-11-18)
- Lifting compressed-gas cylinders (2014-06-04)
- Use of the BoaGripTM sling to move compressed-gas cylinders in general industry. (2006-08-30)
- Use of the "Regulator Umbrella" for "in use" or "connected for use" conditions for portable compressed gas cylinders. (2006-05-12)
- Interpretation of "special truck" as identified in 1910.252(a)(2) (v)(b)(4) (1988-10-24)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.253(b) Cylinders and containers 902 citations
- 1910.253(b)(4) Oxygen storage 563 citations
- 1910.253(b)(4)(iii) 470 citations
- 1910.253(b)(2) Storage of cylinders—general 313 citations
- 1910.253(b)(2)(ii) 200 citations
- 1910.253(b)(2)(iv) 105 citations
- 1910.253(b)(4)(i) 92 citations
- 1910.253(b)(5) Operating procedures 16 citations
- 1910.253(b)(1) Approval and marking 7 citations
- 1910.253(b)(5)(iii) 5 citations
- 1910.253(b)(5)(ii)(D) 4 citations
- 1910.253(b)(5)(ii)(I) 3 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
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Frequently asked questions
Can I lift a gas cylinder with a sling or magnet?
No. When lifting by crane or derrick, use a cradle, boat or suitable platform; slings and electric magnets must not be used.
Can I lift a cylinder by its valve cap?
No. Valve-protection caps must not be used to lift cylinders.
How do I free a cylinder frozen to the ground?
Do not pry with bars under the valve or cap; the rule recommends warm (not boiling) water.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.253 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.