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IS 8989:1978 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for safety code for the erection of concrete framed structures. This standard provides safety guidelines for the erection of concrete framed structures. It covers essential safety requirements related to site organization, material handling, hoisting, formwork, scaffolding, personal protection, and electrical safety to prevent accidents during construction.
Safety code for the erection of concrete framed structures
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Frequently Used
Domain
Structural Engineering — Construction Management incl. Safety
! This code focuses exclusively on procedural safety during the construction phase, not the design of the structure itself.
! While still in effect, many of its principles have been elaborated upon in the National Building Code (NBC) of India, particularly Part 7 on Construction Management, Safety & Health.
! It is crucial for site safety officers and construction managers to ensure compliance with these fundamental rules for formwork, scaffolding, and material handling.
BS 5975:2019+A1:2022BSI (British Standards Institution), United Kingdom
HighCurrent
Code of practice for temporary works procedures and the permissible stress design of falsework
Covers safety, design, and procedural control for temporary works, including formwork and falsework, which are central to IS 8989.
29 CFR 1926OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), USA
HighCurrent
Safety and Health Regulations for Construction
A set of mandatory safety regulations covering all construction, with specific subparts for concrete (Subpart Q) and fall protection (Subpart M).
EN 13670:2009CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
MediumCurrent
Execution of concrete structures
Broader scope covering all aspects of concrete execution, but its sections on falsework, formwork, and safety are direct parallels.
AS 3610.1:2018Standards Australia, Australia
MediumCurrent
Formwork for concrete - Part 1: Specifications
Focuses specifically on formwork but includes comprehensive requirements for design, documentation, erection, and safety.
Key Differences
≠IS 8989:1978 is a prescriptive code with specific rules, whereas modern standards like BS 5975 emphasize a procedural, risk-based approach, requiring formal risk assessments and method statements.
≠Modern standards (e.g., BS 5975) introduce formal roles like the Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) to manage and coordinate all temporary works, a concept not present in the 1978 Indian standard.
≠IS 8989 provides prescriptive, time-based criteria for striking formwork. In contrast, EN 13670 promotes a performance-based approach, allowing formwork removal when concrete achieves a specified percentage of its design strength.
≠International standards are frequently updated to include modern construction systems like proprietary climbing formwork and advanced falsework systems, which are not explicitly covered in the dated IS 8989.
Key Similarities
≈All standards mandate the use of guardrails, mid-rails, and toeboards on scaffolds and at exposed edges to prevent falls of both personnel and materials.
≈A fundamental principle in all codes is that formwork and scaffolding must be erected on stable, level foundations and be adequately braced to prevent collapse under load.
≈The requirement for basic Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as hard hats and safety footwear, is a universal safety measure across all compared standards.
≈All standards contain provisions for safe material handling, including the proper use of cranes and hoists, secure slinging of loads, and establishing exclusion zones to protect against falling objects.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Scaffolding Factor of Safety
A factor of safety of at least 4 against failure.
Each scaffold and component must support at least 4 times the maximum intended load.
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.451(a)(1)
Guardrail Height
About 1 m.
42 inches (1.1 m) +/- 3 inches (8 cm).
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502(b)(1)
Toeboard Height
At least 150 mm.
At least 3.5 inches (8.9 cm).
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502(j)(3)
Fall Protection Trigger Height (General Construction)
Not explicitly defined as a single value; required for scaffolds, edges, and openings generally above 2m.
6 feet (~1.8 m) above a lower level.
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(1)
Formwork Stripping Criteria
Prescriptive, based on time and ambient temperature (e.g., 3 days for slabs with props retained).
Performance-based, based on concrete achieving a specified strength (e.g., a percentage of fck).
EN 13670:2009
General Site Illumination
Sufficient light, with a guide value of 20 lux for general working areas.
Minimum 20 lux for general movement/traffic; 50 lux for simple manual work.
EN 12464-2:2014
Access Ladder Incline
Ladders shall not be steeper than 4 horizontal to 1 vertical.
Portable ladders used for access must have a pitch not steeper than 4 to 1.
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(5)(i)
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values6
Quick Reference Values
Maximum slope for ramps for wheelbarrows1 in 6
Minimum clear headroom at any working place2.1 m
Minimum width of passageways750 mm
Maximum height for stacking cement bags10 bags high (approx 3m)
Toe-board minimum height150 mm
Guardrail heightApprox 1 m above platform
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
No tables data
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Site Organization and General Safety Requirements
It covers safety recommendations for all stages of erecting concrete framed structures, from site setup to final erection, including formwork and scaffolding.
Does this code specify design criteria for formwork?+
No, it outlines safety practices for the erection, use, and dismantling of formwork (Clause 6), but not its structural design.
What does the code say about Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?+
Clause 7 mandates the provision and use of appropriate PPE, such as safety helmets, footwear, and gloves, for all personnel involved in the erection work.
Are there guidelines for stacking materials on site?+
Yes, Clause 4.3 provides guidelines for safe stacking of materials like bricks, cement bags, and steel to prevent collapse and accidents.