Abstract: An operating lever for opening and closing line valves is of generally rectangular shape and includes a body which is connected at one end to the stem of the line valve and is provided with a recess therein. The bottom wall of the recess has inscribed thereon a legend indicating one position of the valve and a freely rotatable rocker element pivoted on the body and mounted in the recess overlies the bottom wall and also has a legend thereon indicating another position of the valve. An aperture in the top wall of the recess is closed by a transparent window for observing the legends. When the lever is mounted in a vertical position and rotated, the rocker element will fall by gravity to expose the legend on the bottom wall or alternatively cover the legend on the bottom wall to show the open or closed position of the valve.