Establishes the safety criteria for the construction, care and use of shears designed primarily of metal shearing. Applies to machines constructed with a plate or cast-type ram or both, bed, table, hold-down and housings, utilizing one fixed and one moving non-rotary blade for the shearing action, and having a constant rake for any one shearing stroke. It is a useful guide (to be read in relation with the statutory requirements of the Factories Act, 1973) for all users, maintenance personnel and manufacture of shears.