Abstract: A safety apparatus and method for protecting an object entering into the path of a moving blade in a press brake (10) is provided, which includes laser emitters (22) and receivers (24) for mounting in fixed relationship to the leading edge (36) of the blade (18) to provide a plurality of light beams (26) in advance of the blade (18). A controller (51) including halting means (57) for halting advancing movement of the blade in response to certain contingencies is also provided, wherein the contingencies may include those involving interruption or obstruction of the light beams (26) and those which are indicative of a fault with the press or the safety apparatus itself. The controller (51) also includes laser control and processing means (54), blade movement control means (56), blade position processing means (58) and vibration sensing means.