It is unlawful for any person operating a vehicle transporting any container of compressed gas as a cargo or part of a cargo upon a highway in an open motor vehicle unless it is securely braced, equipped with an individual shutoff valve that must be tightly closed while in transit and its valves are protected by one of the following methods:
(1) By equipping the cylinder with securely attached metal caps of sufficient strength to protect valves from damage during transportation;
(2) By boxing or crating the cylinder with securely attached metal caps of sufficient strength so as to protect valves from damage during transportation; or
(3) By constructing the cylinder so that the valve is recessed into the cylinder or otherwise protected to the extent that it will not be subjected to a blow when the container is dropped onto a flat surface.
The requirements of this section are not applicable to propane gas used for household purposes or to respiratory health care products in use by the person operating the vehicle.
The Commissioner of the Division of Highways is hereby authorized and directed to propose a legislative rule governing the transportation of compressed gas containers by vehicles upon the highways for promulgation in accordance with the provisions of chapter twenty-nine-a of this code.
Structure West Virginia Code
Chapter 17C. Traffic Regulations and Laws of the Road
Article 17. Size, Weight and Load
§17C-17-3. Projecting Loads on Passenger Vehicles
§17C-17-4. Height and Length of Vehicles and Loads
§17C-17-5. Special Load Limits
§17C-17-6. Loads to Be Securely Fastened and Not Allowed to Leak, Escape, etc.
§17C-17-6a. Vehicles Transporting Compressed Gas Containers
§17C-17-7. Trailers and Towed Vehicles
§17C-17-8. Single-Axle Load Limit
§17C-17-8a. Tandem-Axle Load Limit for the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways
§17C-17-9a. Gross Weight of Vehicles and Loads
§17C-17-11. Permits for Excess Size and Weight
§17C-17-11c. Designating an Industrial Road; Setting Weight Limits
§17C-17-11d. Establishing Maximum Road Highway Weights
§17C-17-12. When State Road Commission or Local Authorities May Restrict Right to Use Highways
§17C-17-13. Liability for Damage to Highway or Structure
§17C-17-14. Penalties for Violation of Weight Laws; Impounding Vehicles