1.1 This European Standard specifies safety requirements which shall be met to minimize the hazards listed in clause 4 that may occur during the assembly, use, maintenance, repair, decommissioning, disassembly and disposal of shearer loaders and plough systems when operated in accordance with the manufacturer’s requirements in underground mining. The machines work with tools for cutting minerals such as coal, ore, salt and surrounding rock, at a fixed or variable height and are guided on armoured face conveyors or their attachments. Shearer loaders have built-in haulage systems. They may be directly operated by one or more drivers or be remotely or program controlled. Plough systems are remotely controlled. Wireless remote control systems of shearer loaders are used in the immediate environment of the machines. 1.2 This European Standard does not cover any hazards resulting from the electrical equipment associated with the machine. It does not contain any requirements relating to dust suppression or firedamp hazards. . Hazards due to noise are also excluded from this standard, but a separate standard is in preparation where hazards due to noise will be addressed. NOTE Only a small amount of the noise emitted at the point of use of shearer loaders and plough systems is generated by the machines themselves. The noise level is affected more by the breaking mineral and the conveyors. Dust is generated not only by the mode of operation of the machines, but also by the material to be extracted, the environment, the roof support and the conveyor. For example, equipping the machine with a water spray may not completely eliminate the hazard on its own. It does not cover face conveyors, spill plates and auxiliary devices such as lasers etc. 1.3 This document is not applicable to machines that are manufactured before the date of publication of this European Standard by CEN.