What type of cart is required to move cylinders of compressed gases?

OSHA states that compressed gas cylinders which are not secured to a “special truck” must have their regulators removed and valve-protection caps installed. In a letter of interpretation, OSHA states that a “special truck” is a vehicle or cart which provides for stable support of vertical standing DOT portable gas cylinders during movement and at various work locations.

The “special truck” must be designed so that the following conditions are met:

• When cylinders are on the special trucks, they must be held in an erect or nearly erect position; and
• Protection of the cylinder valves and regulators must be provided.

Also, the Compressed Gas Association pamphlet P-1, which has been adopted by reference, states at Section 3.5 “Safe Handling of Cylinders” that “A suitable hand truck, forklift truck, or similar material handling device should be used with the container properly secured to the device.”

Both OSHA and CGA discuss securing cylinders during transport, but neither specifically requires a chain. A chain would be effective at securing cylinders, as would any comparable method that would secure the cylinder to the truck.