• The information already presented provides the basis for several important rules:

• Always chain gas cylinders upright to a wall, cylinder truck, cylinder rack or post. This rule is especially important when the gas is in use because the regulator is on the cylinder valve and the cap is not in place. The rule does not apply to cylinder filling establishments.

• Always replace the cylinder cap when the cylinder is not in use and when it is being moved.

• Never lift a cylinder by its valve or its cap, or with chains, slings, or magnets. If a crane is needed to move a number of cylinders, the cylinders should be secured on a platform or cradle. A cylinder should never be dragged. Tilt the cylinder sideways and roll it along its bottom edge.

• Never place cylinders in hallways, passageways, or work areas where they could be hit for fork lift trucks or struck by falling objects. This rule applies to storing and using cylinders. Although a cylinder in use may be out of the way of fork lift trucks, a passing crane hook can hit it and knock off the regulator and the valve.

• Do not use cylinders as table legs to hold up other objects.

• Never hammer, pry, or wedge a stuck or frozen cylinder valve to loosen it, and never use a wrench. If a valve will not open by hand, call the gas distributor.

• Do not drop a cylinder.

• Do not allow grease, oil or other combustible materials to touch any part of a cylinder. This rule is especially important when oxygen cylinders are involved. Grease or oil that oxidizes very slowly in air will burst into flame in pure oxygen.

• Never use a cylinder unless the gas it contains is clearly stenciled on it or marked with a decal. Altering or defacing the name, numbers, or other markings on a gas cylinder is illegal and hazardous.

• Do not rely on the color of a cylinder to identify the gas inside. Suppliers use different color codes. Return an unidentifiable cylinder to the supplier.

• Keep cylinders away from electrical circuits and excessive heat. Cylinders are made of steel and therefore they will conduct electricity.

• Never ground a cylinder or place it near an electrical conductor, including piping, plumbing, or anything that might carry stray electric current.

• Never strike an arc or tap a welding electrode on a cylinder.

• Keep cylinders away from the sparks, hot slag, or molten metal that result from welding, cutting, machining, or foundry operations. Using or storing cylinders where they may get hotter than 130°F (54°C) violates Department of Transportation regulations. Keep cylinders out of direct sunlight. Gases expand when heated. The hotter a cylinder gets, the higher the gas pressure will become. A cylinder at 2400 psig and 70°F (21°C) will increase in pressure to 2451 psig at 130°F (54°C).

• Do not attempt to transfill gas from one cylinder to another.

If a cylinder that has been stored outside is frozen to the ground, use only warm water to free it. If the valve is frozen, use only warm water to thaw it, or bring the cylinder inside and let the valve thaw at room temperature.