This part of ISO 4254, intended to be used together with ISO 4254‑1, specifies the safety requirements and their verification for the design and construction of combine harvesters, forage harvesters and cotton harvesters. It describes methods for the elimination or reduction of hazards arising from the intended use of these machines by one person (the operator) in the course of normal operation and service. In addition, it specifies the type of information on safe working practices to be provided by the manufacturer.

When provisions of this part of ISO 4254 are different from those which are stated in ISO 4254‑1, the provisions of this part of ISO 4254 take precedence over the provisions of ISO 4254‑1 for machines that have been designed and built according the provisions of this part of ISO 4254.

This part of ISO 4254, taken together with ISO 4254‑1, deals with all the significant hazards (as listed in Table 1), hazardous situations and events relevant to combine harvesters, forage harvesters and cotton harvesters, when they are used as intended and under the conditions foreseen by the manufacturer (see Clause 4). It is not applicable to hazards arising from the presence of persons other than the operator, cleaning of the grain tank, and hazards related to vibrations and moving parts for power transmission, except for strength requirements for guards and barriers. In respect of braking and steering, it is applicable only to the ergonomic aspects (e.g. location of brake pedal and steering wheel); no other aspects related to braking and steering are covered. In the case of trailed harvesters, it is applicable only to hazards related to the working process.

This part of ISO 4254 is not applicable to machines manufactured before the date of its publication.