FDA Warns of Burns/Explosions From Oxygen Cylinders

The FDA and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)issued a safety alert April 24, 2006, warning that 12 incidents have been reported in which regulators used with oxygen cylinders have burned or exploded, in some cases injuring personnel. Improper use of gaskets/washers
in the regulators are a major factor in the ignition and severity of the fires, and FDA and NIOSH recommend that plastic crush gaskets never be reused,
as the additional torque required in subsequent uses to obtain a seal can deform the gasket and cause a leak.

See the FDA’s Public Safety Alert