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IS 12836:1989 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for safety in handling and storage of building materials. This code provides guidelines for the safe handling and storage of common building materials on construction sites. It covers general site safety, procedures for stacking various materials to ensure stability, and specific precautions for materials like cement and steel to prevent accidents and material degradation.
Lays down safety requirements for the manual and mechanical handling and storage of various building materials on construction sites.
29 CFR 1926.250Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), USA
HighCurrent
Materials handling, storage, use, and disposal
Directly addresses requirements for safe material handling and storage on construction sites.
HSG150 (Third Edition)Health and Safety Executive (HSE), UK
MediumCurrent
Health and safety in construction
A broad guidance document where Chapter 16 specifically covers site transport, storage, and waste control.
Model Code of Practice: Construction WorkSafe Work Australia, Australia
HighCurrent
Model Code of Practice: Construction Work
A comprehensive code where Part 3.2 provides detailed guidance on managing risks, including material handling and storage.
O. Reg. 213/91 - Construction ProjectsMinistry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, Ontario, Canada
HighCurrent
Construction Projects
A regulation with specific sections (e.g., 85-88) governing the handling and storage of materials and equipment on construction projects.
Key Differences
≠IS 12836 is highly prescriptive, providing specific numerical limits (e.g., max stack height of cement bags). Modern international standards like those from the UK and Australia are more performance-based, requiring risk assessments to determine safe limits.
≠The Indian standard is a standalone document from 1989. International equivalents are often sections within larger, more frequently updated construction safety regulations or codes of practice (e.g., OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart H).
≠International standards place a stronger emphasis on the 'hierarchy of controls', prioritizing the elimination of manual handling through mechanical means. IS 12836 provides guidance on manual handling but with less emphasis on its elimination as the primary goal.
≠IS 12836:1989 does not explicitly cover modern storage systems (e.g., specialized racking for pipes or sheet materials) or handling equipment (e.g., telehandlers) in the same detail as current international guidance.
Key Similarities
≈All standards mandate the fundamental principle of ensuring stored materials are stable and secured against collapse, sliding, or falling, considering ground conditions and stacking methods.
≈The requirement to keep aisles, passageways, access to fire-fighting equipment, and emergency exits clear of stored materials is a universal safety principle in all codes.
≈All standards require the use of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as safety footwear, gloves, and hard hats during material handling operations.
≈There is a common focus on providing specific advice for common and hazardous materials like cement, structural steel, bricks, and flammable liquids, addressing their unique storage risks.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Cement Bag Stack Height
Shall not be stacked more than 10 bags high on a stable platform.
Performance-based: 'All materials stored in tiers shall be stacked, racked, blocked, interlocked, or otherwise secured to prevent sliding, falling or collapse.' No specific height limit is given.
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.250(a)(1)
Loose Brick Stack Height
The height of the stack shall not be more than 1.5 m.
Shall not be more than 7 feet (~2.1 m). When a stack reaches 4 feet (~1.2 m), it shall be tapered back 2 inches for every foot of height above the 4-foot level.
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.250(b)(6)
Storage near Excavations
No material shall be stacked or placed within 1 m of the edge of an excavation.
Materials or equipment must be kept at least 2 feet (~0.61 m) from the edge of excavations.
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.651(j)(2)
Lumber Pile Height
No specific height limit is given; focuses on stability and level stacking.
Piles shall not exceed 20 feet (~6.1 m). If handled manually, they shall not be stacked more than 16 feet (~4.9 m) high.
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.250(b)(8)(iv)
Securing Cylindrical Materials (e.g., Pipes)
Should be stacked on firm level ground and wedged properly.
Shall be stacked and blocked/chocked to prevent spreading or tilting. Pyramidal stacking is recommended.
HSE CIS61 / OSHA 29 CFR 1926.250(a)
Storage of Structural Steel
Stacked clear of the ground on platforms, skids or other suitable supports to prevent distortion.
Stored on blocking/dunnage off the ground, with separators between layers for stability and to allow for sling access.
Safe Work Australia - Model Code of Practice: Construction Work
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values5
Quick Reference Values
Maximum stack height for cement bags10 bags
Minimum clearance around material stacks600 mm
Maximum height of brick stacks1.5 m
Maximum height for loose sand/aggregate stacks2 m
Maximum length of a cement stack3 m or 10 bags length
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
No tables data
Key Clauses
Clause 3 - General Requirements
Clause 4 - Stacking
Clause 5 - Handling of Materials
Clause 6 - Handling and Storage of Cement
Clause 7 - Handling and Storage of Structural/Reinforcement Steel
What is the maximum height for stacking cement bags?+
The height of the stack shall not be more than 10 bags to prevent the possibility of lumping up under pressure (Clause 6.1.1).
What clearance is required around material stacks?+
A clear space of at least 600 mm shall be maintained around the stacks for ease of handling and inspection (Clause 4.1.3).
How should reinforcement steel be stored on site?+
It should be kept clear of the ground on skids, platforms, or other suitable supports to prevent distortion and contamination with mud or rust (Clause 7.1.1).
Are there rules for the width of a cement stack?+
Yes, the width of the stack shall not be more than 3 m or four bags length (Clause 6.1.1).