1926.350(a)(9): Secure Gas Cylinders Upright
Employers must make sure compressed gas cylinders are secured in an upright position at all times, except, if necessary, for short periods while they are actually being hoisted or carried.
Key takeaways
- 1926.350(a)(9) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 11 times in the last 3 years, in 11 inspections, with $16,029 in current penalties.
- Most citations: FL (2), TN (2), AL (2).
- Related part: 1926.350(a) Transporting, moving, and storing compressed gas cylinders (48 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.350(a)(9) is one requirement inside 1926.350 Gas welding and cutting, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart J). 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
(9) Compressed gas cylinders shall be secured in an upright position at all times except, if necessary, for short periods of time while cylinders are actually being hoisted or carried. 11 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.350.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Top states: FL (2), TN (2), AL (2), VI (1), GA (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| D&D WOOD SALES, INC | ROARING SPRING, PA | $4,965 |
| GRIFFIN GRADING & CONCRETE, LLC | MANCHESTER, GA | $4,355 |
| HDW CONSTRUCTION & DRILLING, LLC | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $3,972 |
| JNBA CONSTRUCTION CONSULTING | FREDERIKSTED, VI | $2,037 |
| ONSITE EMERGENCY SERVICES, LLC | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $600 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.350(a)(9), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Safety of Compressed Gas Cylinders on Portable Carts (2021-11-18)
- Regarding use of compressed gas cylinders while in a horizontal position (2013-09-16)
- Storage of compressed gas cylinders used in construction work. (2012-05-21)
- Whether empty compressed gas cylinders may be laid horizontally when stored. (2010-04-30)
- 29 CFR 1926.350(a)(7), securing compressed gas cylinders - rational for and hazards addressed by the requirement. (2005-01-19)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.350(a) Transporting, moving, and storing compressed gas cylinders 48 citations
- 1926.350(a)(10) 17 citations
- 1926.350(a)(11) 8 citations
- 1926.350(a)(7) 4 citations
- 1926.350(a)(1) 3 citations
- 1926.350(a)(12) 2 citations
- 1926.350(a)(4) 1 citations
- 1926.350(a)(6)
- 1926.350(a)(2)
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
How must gas cylinders be kept?
Secured in an upright position at all times.
Is there an exception?
Yes, if necessary, for short periods while cylinders are actually being hoisted or carried.
Is standing a cylinder up without securing it enough?
No. The cylinder must be secured as well as upright.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.350 (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 2026-10-19
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.