Abstract: A method of operating a safety system for an industrial press having a moveable section and a stationary section, the safety system providing a plurality of continuous planar laser beams having a generally constant lateral width, each laser beam being spaced at varying distances from the moveable section, the method including moving the moveable section towards the stationary section at a relatively high speed; starting deceleration of the moveable section when one said laser beam reaches a speed control point located immediately adjacent the stationary section, moving the moveable section at a final crawl speed when a second said laser beam reaches the speed control point, the moveable section continuing to move at said final crawl speed towards said stationary section.