Abstract: An emergency brake control system for hoists including means for generating a first electrical signal indicating the direction of travel of a conveyance, means for generating a second signal indicating the presence or absence of an emergency situation and control means responsive to the first and second signals for immediately applying the emergency brake when the conveyance is descending and an emergency exists and delaying application of the emergency brake only after the conveyance has come to a complete stop when the conveyance is ascending and an emergency exists. Overriding safety features may also be employed to provide immediate application of the emergency brake regardless of the direction of travel of the conveyance of certain emergencies, such as over travel of the conveyance, exist.