This document provides safety guidelines for handling and storage of building materials at construction sites from Indian Standards IS 7969 and IS 7293. Key points include: - Materials should be stacked neatly on firm surfaces and not impose undue stresses. Passageways of at least 1m should be maintained. - Manual lifting of stacks over 1.5m high requires safe access. Flammable materials must be stored separately with signs. - Machinery must have proper fencing of moving parts and be safely maintained. Earth moving equipment like excavators and bulldozers require careful operation. - Demolition of buildings requires closing roads and properly fencing off trenches, with caution signs and lights for

1. Subject : Advance Construction
Techniques
Topic : Use of IS Codes(for Safety)
Prepared by :- Guided by :-
Karna Kothari Prof. Hirakraj Bapat
Daivik Patel
Ashutosh
Smit Ragani

2. IS :7969 - 1975
SAFETY CODE FOR HANDLING AND
STORAGE OF BUILDING MATERIALS

3. This standard lays down the safety requirements to be
observed in handling and storage of building materials at
building sites and receiving depots.
SCOPE

4. GENERAL
Stacking and Piling
If the piles are high, they shall be stepped back at suitable intervals in height.
Passageway between not less than 1 m
All passageways shall be kept clear of dry vegetation.
In kind, size and length and placed in neat,
Materials shall be stacked on well drained, firm and unyielding surface.
Material shall not be stacked so as to impose any undue stresses on walls
or other structures.

5. Materials shall be stacked in such a manner as not to constitute a hazard to
passers-by. At such places the stacks shall have suitable warning signs in day
time and red lights on and around them at night.

6. Manual Lifting
Whenever any stack exceeds l-5 m height, suitable and safe means of access
shall be provided for the use of workers and such means of access shall not
disturb the stability of the stack.

7. Posting Storage Area
Appropriate signs shall be placed at all storage
locations where special conditions exist or where
special precautions are necessary.

8. STORAGE AND HANDLING OF
MATERIALS
• Timber
• Cement, Lime & Pozzolana
• Sheet Glass & Fibre Glass
• Pipe
• Piling & Poles
• Reinforcing & Structural Steel
• Sand, Gravel & Crushed Stone
• Paints, Varnishes & Thinners
• Flammable Materials

9. Timber
Timber shall be stacked on unyielding and level dunnage. Cross strips or
cross piling shall be used where the pile is more than 1 m high.
The top of each pile shall be kept as level as possible when timber is being
removed.
No nails shall be allowed to protrude so as to cause any injury hazard.
Two men shall carry long boards, and care shall be exercised at corners
and cross-walks.

10. Cement, Lime & Pozzolana
Handling :- Workmen, handling bulk cement, lime or fine pozzolana shall wear protective
clothing, respirators, and goggles, shall be instructed in the need of cleanliness to
prevent dermatitis; and shall be provided with hand cream, petroleum jelly,
or similar preparation for protection of exposed skin.
Stacking :- Stacks shall not be higher than 15 bags. If the stack has to be more than 8 bags
high, the bags shall be arranged in header and stretcher fashion, that is, alternate
layers lengthwise and crosswise, so as to tie the piles together to lessen the danger of
toppling over. Bags shall be removed uniformly from the top of the piles to avoid
tipping of the stack.
Lime :- Unslaked lime shall be stored in a place inaccessible to water and because of the
fire hazard, shall be segregated from the combustible materials

11. Silos :-
Bulk cement and pozzolana stored
in silos or bins may fail to feed to
the ejections system. When
necessary to enter a silo or bin for
any purpose, the ejection system
employed shall be shut down and
locked out. When necessary for a
workman to enter such storage area
he shall wear a life-line, with
another workman outside the silo
or hopper attending the rope.

12. Sheet Glass & Fibre Glass
Glass panes used in building construction shall be stacked on edge with
suitable supports.
Glass edges shall be covered or otherwise protected to prevent injuries to
workmen passing-by.
Waste glass pieces shall be stored or disposed of in such a manner as to
avoid injuries to workmen.
Workmen handling glass panes, waste glass pieces and fibre glass shall be
provided with suitable hand protection.

13. Pipe :-
Stacking :- Pipe shall be stacked on solid, level sills and contained in a manner to
prevent spreading or rolling of the pile. Where quantity storage is necessary,
suitable packing shall be placed between succeeding layers to reduce the
pressure and resulting spreading of the pile.
Size & Length :- Orderly storage as to sizes and lengths enhances access and removal
operations.
Removal :- Removal of pipe from a pile shall be accomplished by working from the
ends of the pipe.
Transporting :- In loading pipe or transit, it shall be so secured as to insure against
displacement.

14. Power Lines :-
In stacking and handling of pipes and other conducting materials the following
minimum safety distances shall be ensured from the overhead powerlines:

15. Piling & Poles :-
Stacking :- Piling and poles shall be carefully stacked on solid, level sills and shall be so
piled and blocked as to prevent rolling or spreading of the pile.
Placing & :-
Removing
When placing piling or poles on the pile, workmen shall work from the ends
of the pole. Like precautions shall be observed in removal from the pile.
Tag Lines :- Tag lines shall be used to control piling and poles when handling for any
purpose.
Fire Hazard :- The storage area shall be maintained free of vegetation and flammable
materials.

16. Reinforcing & Structural Steel :-
Stacking :- Lagging :- Stored on
a Solid Foundation
Safe Access :- Adequate Spacing Gloves:-
Tag Lines :- Tag lines shall be used to control the load, when a crane
is employed.
Manual Handling :-

17. Sand, Gravel & Crushed Stone :-
Location of Stockpile :-
Overhanging Prohibited :-
Superimpose Loading :- along the sides of any excavation
on the top of an embankment so as to cause slips.
Hoppers :-

18. Paints, Varnishes & Thinners :-
Method of Storage :- Limited
Storage Area:-
Clean-up :-
Ventilation &
Lighting :-
Fire Protection :- Spray Painting :-

19. Supply of Milk :- Each workman handling lead based paints shall be
issued 1/2 litre milk per day for his personal
consumption.
Heating :- When painting is done in confined spaces where
flammable or explosive vapours may develop, any
necessary heat shall be provided through ductwork
remote from the source of flame.

20. Bitumen, Bituminous Emulsion & Road Tar:-
Stake Size :- ≤ 100 drums (180-200 ltrs)
Between Dist. ≥ 6m
Drum Position :- Drums shall be kept stacked on their
sides so that water does not collect on
them. The bungs, if eccentric, shall be
upper most namely in 12 o’clock
position.
Slack Height :-
≤ 3 tiers
Handling :- To facilitate rolling of drums of the middle and top tiers,
in building up or breaking down the stack, suitable skids
shall he temporarily laid on the tier over which rolling has
to be done.

21. Flammable Materials :-
Regulation :- Personnel :-
Handling :- Petroleum products delivered to the job site and stored there in
drums shall be protected during handling to prevent loss of
identification through damage to drum markings, tags, etc.
Storage :- The storage area should be free of accumulations of spilled
products, debris and other hazards.
Compressed gases and petroleum products shall not be stored the
same building or close to each other.
For bulk storage of petroleum, kerosene oil and the like, the storage
shall comply strictly with the specifications given in the Petroleum
Rules ( and with the relevant act ) ,

22. LOADING & UNLOADING RAIL ROAD
WAGON AND MOTOR VEHICLE

23. LOADING & UNLOADING RAIL ROAD
Appropriate warning signals shall be displayed to indicate that the wagons must
not be coupled or moved.
The wheels of wagons shall always be spragged or chained while the wagons
are being unloaded and their brakes alone shall not be depended upon to hold
them stationary.
Special level bars shall preferably be used for moving rail wagons rather than
ordinary crow bars.
Where gangplanks are used between wagons and platforms of piles ( heaps ),
cleats at lower end of gangplank, or pin through end of gangplanks, shall be
used to prevent sliding.

24. HANDLING HEAVY/LONG ITEMS
These long items shall be dragged, one by
one, gently and uniformly along these
supports by means of ropes, being pulled by
men with feet properly anchored against firm
surface.

25. DISPOSAL OF WASTE MATERIAL
Scrap Lumber & Waste :- Scrap lumber, waste materials, and similar debris
shall be collected and stored in piles or containers
daily for removal and disposal.
Pollution Control :- All applicable regulations relating to the pollution of streams,
reservoirs, lakes, ground water or water courses shall be fully
complied with. The manner of disposing of waste materials
shall be subject to the approval of the engineer-in-
charge/depot-in-charge

26. FIRE EXTINGUISHING EQUIPMENT

27. House Keeping
Safe Access :- Stairways, walkways, scaffolds, and accessways shall be kept free
of materials, debris and obstructions.
Scaffolds &
Walkways:-
The engineer-in-charge/the foreman shall initiate and carry out a
programme requiring routine removal of scrap and debris from
scaffolds and walkways.
General :- Efficient and orderly storage of materials coupled with routine
house keeping are most important factors in safety and fire
prevention. It is essential that good house keeping be maintained
throughout all storage areas.

28. IS :7293 - 1974
SAFETY CODE FOR WORKING WITH
CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY

29. GENERAL
• In siting construction machinery, attention shall be given to
strength of the foundation or structure on which it would be
working
• Proximity of hazard such as near by structure should be taken
into account
• For load lifting machine, we must know the bearing capacity of
soil.

30. FENCING
• All the moving parts of the machinery must have proper
fencing, when not in use.
• All the parts should be guarded effectively to prevent
danger
• Provide the fencing to the machinery, when in use

31. SAFE ACCESS
• Proper foothold and handhold must provided, where a
person needs to walk, climb or work.

32. MAINTENANCE
• No maintenance should be done, when the machinery is in
motion
• Maintenance should be done, when the machinery is
stopped.
• Proper removal of spare parts when the maintenance is
to be done

33. FIRST AID AND FIRE FIGHTING
• First aid box on site.
• Fire point should be provided, it should have 5 kg dry
powder extinguisher (2nos) and sand buckets (2nos)

34. • Driver must be protected from weather.
• Window should be of toughened glass.
• Seats should be comfortable.
• A dry powder extinguisher of 5 kg must be provided.
• Emergency escapes must be provided.
• More than one brake must be provided.
• Each control must show its function.
• Controllers must be easy to access
EARTH MOVING, LIFTING AND HOISTING
MACHINERY

35. • Driver must be skilled.
• Vision of load that is being carried must be clear.
• Driver must not leave the cabin, when the engine is running.
• Driver should check that all the gears are in neutral before
starting.
• All the parts must be checked at regular intervals.
• Lubrication must be as per norms.( not less or not too much)
• Wire should be checked once every week to see if there is any
damage.
• Proper rectifying of the problem is must.

36. EARTH MOVING MACHINERY
(EXCAVATORS)
• Excavators should be operated in such a way that, it doesn’t looses
its stability.
• Bucket teeth should not touch the boom.
• Swinging of boom should be done in such that it can be controlled.
• Bucket should be provided such that it takes into account the size
and power of machine.
• Driver should be aware, that no person is standing or passing by
from the raised bucket.
• During maintenance bucket shall be fixed.

37. EARTH MOVING MACHINERY
(BULLDOZER)
• Blade should be low, when the bulldozer is travelling uphill.
• Blade of bulldozer should not be used as brakes

38. EARTH MOVING MACHINERY
(SCRAPPERS)
• It should be joined to tractor by safe line when in operation.
• Scrapper bowls must be locked, when in maintenance.

39. EARTH MOVING MACHINERY
(LIFTING AND HOISTING MACHINERY)
• When erection is to be done, it should be done in presence of
proper authority.
• Dismantling must be carried out under proper supervision.
• Erection crew must wear proper safety equipment.
• Crane should be operated in such a way that, it doesn’t get
over turned
• Standard hand signals must be used to guide the crane
• Stop signal be given the highest priority.

40. • When a crane uses different jib lengths, then particulars
must be particularly be marked on the crane at prominent
places.
• No excess load should be lifted unless and until it is done for
testing purpose.
• Load should be secured before lifting it
• When load is near maximum load capacity, the operator
should do it with care.
• No one should stand, pass under the raised load.
• The hook should be lowered and checked that at least two
dead coils remain in the drum.

41. • All the locking devices and ladder must be as per
manufacturer as it would provide ease of access to climb
tower crane.
• Mobile crane should have proper horn.
• Jib should be lowered to minimum horizontal position while
travelling.

42. CONCRETE MIXERS
• Gears, chains and rollers must be guarded to prevent danger.
• Hoppers should be guarded with railings.

43. VIBRATORS
• Vibrating unit must be enclosed and the wire also must be
enclosed.
• Shock absorbing handles be provided.
• Bending of poker must be avoided.
• Poker should not resting on hard surface during initiation.
• Electrically operated vibrators must be enclosed completely.

44. ROAD ROLLERS
• No one should climb a moving road rollers.
• When not in use brake must be applied.
• When road roller is not in use, arrangements of red lights
behind the roller must be provided.

45. ASPHALT PLANTS
• Piping must be encased properly, so as to avoid workers
from getting harm.
• Proper supervision during operating and time to
maintenance is necessary.
• Workers should wear proper equipment while handling hot
asphalt.
• Spilled asphalt should be cleaned.
• If burner goes out then the fuel supply must be stopped
immediately.

46. ELECTRIC POWER OPERATED MACHINE
• All the electrically operated machines must be earthed
properly.
DRIVERS
• Only licensed and eligible person should operate the
machinery.
• Driver should not leave the cabin when machine is being
loaded.

47. OTHER OPERATING CONDITIONS
• Loading of trucks should be avoided where there is risk of
falling rocks.
• When uncoupling the vehicles, both the vehicles must be
blocked by brakes.
• During loading and unloading the brakes must be applied.
• Over load on machinery must be avoided.

48. IS :13415 - 1992
PROTECTIVE BARRIERS IN AND AROUND
BUILDINGS - CODE OF SAFETY

49. This standard lays down the requirements for protective
barriers in and around buildings during construction,
maintenance, addition and alteration, and demolition with
a view to preventing accidents.
SCOPE

50. The Indian Standard IS 13416 ( Part 1 ) : 1992 ‘Preventive
measures against hazards at workplaces -
Recommendations: Part 1 Falling material hazards
prevention’ is a necessary adjunct to this standard.
REFERENCE

51. GENERAL
Scaffolding or staging shall be suitable and adequate and so fastened to prevent
it from swaying from the building or structure. Partially or fully dismantled
scaffolding, staging or barrier shall be removed from the site of work and
stacked at suitable place.
Adequate precautions shall be taken to prevent danger from electrical installations.
Hazardous and flammable materials shall be stacked separately with warning sign
boards.
Hazards due to falling materials shall be prevented as recommended in IS 13416
( Part 1 ) : 1992
No materials on any of the sites of work shall be stacked or placed as to cause
danger or inconvenience to any person or the public.
Necessary lights and cautionary sign boards shall be provided near the protective
barriers to avoid accidents.

52. DEMOLITION OF BUILDING
All roads and open areas adjacent to the work site shall be either closed or
suitably protected.
No electric cable or apparatus which is liable to be a source of danger or
apparatus used by the operator shall remain electrically charged.
All practical steps shall be taken to prevent danger to persons employed from
risk of fire, explosion, flooding or collapse of structure and such areas shall be
properly demarcated.
Floor, roof or any other part of the building shall not be so overloaded with
debris or materials as to render it unsafe.

53. DEMOLITION OF BUILDING
Trenches and foundation pits, wherever directed by the Engineer-
in-Charge, shall be securely fenced, provided with caution signs and
marked with red lights to avoid accidents.