Gas welding cylinder handling

Yes — valve protection caps must be in place and secure, and oil must not be used to lubricate them. See 1915.55(a)(1) for the requirement.

Cylinders must be hoisted while secured on a cradle, slingboard, or pallet and must not be hoisted using magnets or choker slings. See 1915.55(a)(2).

Cylinders shall be moved by tilting and rolling them on their bottom edges and must not be intentionally dropped, struck, or permitted to strike each other violently. See 1915.55(a)(3).

When cylinders are transported by vehicle, they must be secured in position so they cannot shift or fall. See 1915.55(a)(4).

No — valve protection caps must not be used for lifting cylinders from one vertical position to another, and bars must not be used under valves or valve protection caps to pry frozen cylinders loose; warm (not boiling) water should be used to thaw cylinders. See 1915.55(a)(5).

Yes — unless cylinders are firmly secured on a special carrier intended for moving cylinders, the regulator must be removed and the valve protection cap put in place before the cylinder is moved. See 1915.55(a)(6).

You must use a suitable cylinder truck, chain, or other steadying device to prevent cylinders from being knocked over while in use. See 1915.55(a)(7).

Cylinder valves must be closed when work is finished, when cylinders are empty, or when cylinders are moved at any time. See 1915.55(a)(8).

Acetylene cylinders must be secured in an upright position at all times except for short periods when they are actually being hoisted or carried. See 1915.55(a)(9).

Cylinders must be kept far enough away from the actual welding or cutting operation so sparks, hot slag, or flame will not reach them; if that is impractical, provide fire-resistant shields. See 1915.55(b)(1).

No — cylinders must be placed where they cannot become part of an electrical circuit, and electrodes must never be struck against a cylinder to strike an arc. See 1915.55(b)(2).

Fuel gas cylinders must be placed with the valve end up whenever in use and must not be located where they would be subject to open flame, hot metal, or other sources of artificial heat. See 1915.55(b)(3).

No — cylinders containing oxygen, acetylene, or other fuel gas must not be taken into confined spaces. See 1915.55(b)(4).

No — cylinders, whether full or empty, must not be used as rollers or supports. See 1915.55(c)(1).

Only the gas supplier may mix gases in a cylinder, and only the owner or a person authorized by the owner may refill a cylinder; only cylinders bearing Interstate Commerce Commission identification and inspection markings may be used. See 1915.55(c)(2).

No — no damaged or defective cylinder shall be used. See 1915.55(c)(3).

Before connecting a regulator, the valve must be opened slightly (cracked) and closed immediately while standing to one side of the outlet, and fuel gas cylinder valves shall not be opened more than 1½ turns; valves must be opened slowly to prevent damage to the regulator. See 1915.55(d)(1) and 1915.55(d)(2).

Yes — fuel gas must not be used from cylinders through torches or devices with shut-off valves without first reducing the pressure through a suitable regulator attached to the cylinder or manifold; before removing a regulator from a cylinder valve the cylinder valve must be closed and the gas released from the regulator. See 1915.55(d)(3) and 1915.55(d)(4).

If a leak is found around the valve stem, close the valve and tighten the gland nut; if the leak continues, discontinue use, tag the cylinder, and remove it from the vessel; if fuel gas leaks from the valve and cannot be shut off, or if a leak develops at a fuse plug or other safety device, the cylinder shall be properly tagged and removed from the vessel. See 1915.55(d)(5) and 1915.55(d)(6).

Manifolds must be labeled with the substance name in letters at least one inch high, located in safe accessible open-air locations (not within enclosed spaces), use non-interchangeable hose connections without adapters and keep hose connections free of grease and oil; manifold and header hose connections shall be capped when not in use, and nothing shall be placed on top of a manifold that would damage it or interfere with quick valve closing. See 1915.55(e)(1) through 1915.55(e)(5).

Oxygen and fuel gas hoses must be easily distinguishable (by color or tactile characteristic), must not be interchangeable, and must be inspected at the start of each shift; hoses subjected to flashback or showing severe wear must be tested to twice the normal pressure (but at least 200 psi) and defective hoses must be removed from service. See 1915.55(f), 1915.55(f)(2), 1915.55(f)(3), and 1915.55(f)(4).

Hose couplings must be of a type that cannot be unlocked or disconnected by a straight pull without rotary motion, and boxes used to stow gas hose must be ventilated. See 1915.55(f)(5) and 1915.55(f)(6).

Clogged torch tip openings shall be cleaned with suitable cleaning wires, drills, or other devices specifically designed for that purpose. See 1915.55(g)(1).

No — ordinary sunglasses are not adequate protection for the intense radiant energy from welding and cutting operations; employees must be provided appropriate eye protection (for welding/cutting) while also following cylinder placement rules such as keeping cylinders away from hot work. See 1915.55(b)(1) regarding keeping cylinders out of reach of sparks and the OSHA interpretation on shipyard eye and face protection which explains that "potentially injurious light radiation" from welding requires welding-rated protective devices, not ordinary sunglasses (https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2019-12-30).