Abstract: A safety arrangement is disclosed for power machinery such as a folding machine (10) for sheet metal or plate (40). An operator is charged to a potential above that of the folding machine (10) through a foot pedal (20) and his potential is monitored by means of a control device (20a). If there is a drop in operator potential, machine cycles cannot be started and any cycle under way is halted or reversed. Safety gloves (28) are provided which are made of an electrically conductive material (28a) and onto which is integrated an insulating layer 28c over the palm (30a). The insulating layer (28c) allows handling of metal work pieces (40) without electrical contact being made with the folding machine (10). Meanwhile, the exposed nature of the conductive layer (28a) on the backhand (30c) ensures that the operator is protected from injury from machine parts (12, 14, 18) approaching the gloved hand (30) from the side not being used for work.