Abstract: A handle mechanism to be mounted to a stem of a valve element. The mechanism includes a socket to be fixed to the stem of the valve element, a handle portion including a clevis having a pair of legs and a base joining the legs and pivotally connected to the socket at a lug of the socket and a generally C-shaped spring. The spring has a first end and a second end. The spring engages the lug surface and the top surface of the base over a substantial portion of the spring. A method of installing the spring, including hooking a lip at a first end of the spring over a back surface of the base of the clevis, pivoting a second end of the spring down onto the lug surface and snapping the second end of the spring on a bottom portion of the lug surface.