This European Standard specifies safety requirements for design, construction, operation, adjustment, setting, cleaning and maintenance of - splitting machines (see figures 1, 2) for limed hides and skins, wet blue and dry materials, - bandknife shearing machines (see figures 3, 4, 5, 6)used in the splitting and shearing of leather and synthetic materials. This standard takes account of intended use, foreseeable misuse, component and systems failure. The machines are for fixed installation. This document is not applicable to the splitting and bandknife shearing machines which are manufactured before the date of its publication as EN.All the significant hazards listed in clause 4 are safeguarded by the requirements included in clause 5 except dust and fire. For these hazards general guidelines are proposed in normative annex A. Designers and manufacturers shall verify directly that the methods adopted to reduce these hazards have been successful. This standard does not establish any requirements for electromagnetic disturbances. NOTE Directive 94/9/EC concerning equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres can be applicable to the type of machine or equipment covered by this European Standard. The present standard does not necessarily comply with Directive 94/9/EC. Additional safety requirements in a future revision of this standard can be necessary to satisfy Directive 94/9/EC.