1926.350(a): Moving and Storing Gas Cylinders Safely
Employers must make sure compressed gas cylinders have valve caps in place, are hoisted only in cradles, slingboards or pallets, are secured upright, and have valves closed when moved or empty. Oxygen must be stored at least 20 feet from fuel gas or combustibles, or separated by a noncombustible barrier at least 5 feet high with at least a half-hour fire rating.
Key takeaways
- 1926.350(a) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 48 times in the last 3 years, in 37 inspections, with $95,965 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TN (10), FL (4), VA (4).
- Related part: 1926.350(a)(10) (17 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.350(a) ("Transporting, moving, and storing compressed gas cylinders") is one requirement inside 1926.350 Gas welding and cutting, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart J). It includes 12 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
(a) Transporting, moving, and storing compressed gas cylinders. 48 citations
(1) Valve protection caps shall be in place and secured. Open (a)(1) 3 citations
(2) When cylinders are hoisted, they shall be secured on a cradle, slingboard, or pallet. They shall not be hoisted or transported by means of magnets or choker slings. Open (a)(2)
(3) Cylinders shall be moved by tilting and rolling them on their bottom edges. They shall not be intentionally dropped, struck, or permitted to strike each other violently. 1 citations
(4) When cylinders are transported by powered vehicles, they shall be secured in a vertical position. Open (a)(4) 1 citations
(5) 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. Warm, not boiling, water shall be used to thaw cylinders loose.
(6) Unless cylinders are firmly secured on a special carrier intended for this purpose, regulators shall be removed and valve protection caps put in place before cylinders are moved. Open (a)(6)
(7) A suitable cylinder truck, chain, or other steadying device shall be used to keep cylinders from being knocked over while in use. Open (a)(7) 4 citations
(8) When work is finished, when cylinders are empty, or when cylinders are moved at any time, the cylinder valve shall be closed. 1 citations
(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. Open (a)(9) 11 citations
(10) Oxygen cylinders in storage shall be separated from fuel-gas cylinders or combustible materials (especially oil or grease), a minimum distance of 20 feet (6.1 m) or by a noncombustible barrier at least 5 feet (1.5 m) high having a fire-resistance rating of at least one-half hour. Open (a)(10) 17 citations
(11) Inside of buildings, cylinders shall be stored in a well-protected, well-ventilated, dry location, at least 20 feet (6.1 m) from highly combustible materials such as oil or excelsior. Cylinders should be stored in definitely assigned places away from elevators, stairs, or gangways. Assigned storage places shall be located where cylinders will not be knocked over or damaged by passing or falling objects, or subject to tampering by unauthorized persons. Cylinders shall not be kept in unventilated enclosures such as lockers and cupboards. Open (a)(11) 8 citations
(12) The in-plant handling, storage, and utilization of all compressed gases in cylinders, portable tanks, rail tankcars, or motor vehicle cargo tanks shall be in accordance with Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet P-1-1965. Open (a)(12) 2 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.350.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 22 |
| 2026 | 13 |
Top states: TN (10), FL (4), VA (4), AL (4), NY (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| FL MECHANICAL SYSTEMS, INC. | NEW YORK, NY | $15,300 |
| SACHSE CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.L.C. | ORLANDO, FL | $11,823 |
| WILDWOOD HOSPITALITY GROUP LLC | WILDWOOD, NJ | $11,585 |
| DOBCO, INC. | DOVER AFB, DE | $10,641 |
| C & C PLUMBING AND HEATING INC | BETHLEHEM, CT | $5,485 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.350(a), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Safety of Compressed Gas Cylinders on Portable Carts (2021-11-18)
- Rationale for and hazards of hoisting compressed gas cylinders (2015-04-09)
- 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)
- Use of the "Regulator Umbrella" for "in use" or "connected for use" conditions for portable compressed gas cylinders. (2006-05-12)
- Storage of oxygen and acetylene cylinders for construction vs. general industry. (2006-05-10)
- General industry and construction standards regarding "in use" or "ready to use" and "storage" of compressed gas and oxygen cylinders for welding; §1910.253(b)(2)-1910.253(b)(4) and §1926.350(a)(10). (2006-05-08)
- 29 CFR 1926.350(a)(7), securing compressed gas cylinders - rational for and hazards addressed by the requirement. (2005-01-19)
- Removal of regulators and use of valve protection caps when hoisting compressed gas cylinders (2004-03-30)
- Requirement and design of fire-resistant barriers for oxygen and fuel-gas cylinders. (2004-03-04)
- Gas cylinder carts with patented engineered steel fire barriers compliance with 1926.350(a)(10). (2004-01-23)
- Acceptability of an engineered steel fire barrier to comply with separation/firewall requirements. (2001-05-23)
- Storage of gas cylinders on construction sites; clarification of "in storage." (1999-07-08)
- Definition of "in storage" and clarification of the requirements for intermittent use of gas cylinders. (1998-12-31)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.350(a)(10) 17 citations
- 1926.350(a)(9) 11 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)
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Frequently asked questions
Can gas cylinders be lifted with magnets or choker slings?
No. They must be hoisted on a cradle, slingboard or pallet.
How far must stored oxygen be from fuel gas cylinders?
A minimum of 20 feet, or separated by a noncombustible barrier at least 5 feet high with a fire-resistance rating of at least one-half hour.
How do you free a frozen cylinder?
Use warm, not boiling, water. Do not pry with bars under valves or caps.
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.