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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/weld-valve-caps-hand-tight

When a gas cylinder is not in use, how should its valve protection cap be fitted?

Hand-tight, always in place.

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  1. Left off
  2. Hand-tight ✔
  3. Wrench-tight with a pipe

Why: The cap protects the valve if the cylinder gets bumped or falls. OSHA says valve protection caps shall always be in place and hand-tight on cylinders designed to take one.

Huh, didn't know that: Before connecting a regulator, OSHA says to crack the fuel-gas cylinder valve open slightly and close it right away, standing to one side.

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What do you get when you complete science class? A graduated cylinder.
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References

Answer: Hand-tight. The cap protects the valve if the cylinder gets bumped or falls. OSHA says valve protection caps shall always be in place and hand-tight on cylinders designed to take one.

  1. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.253 Oxygen-fuel gas welding and cutting www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.253
    Valve protection caps, where cylinder is designed to accept a cap, shall always be in place, hand-tight,
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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