Abstract: A machine control (10) for controlling machinery, is disabled unless the hand (H) of a person grasps a handgrip (14) of the control, and thereby increases the capacitance at each of two electrodes (52, 54) lying within the handgrip surface and spaced about the handgrip axis (56). The handgrip is formed on a handle of a joystick (20) that can pivot about two perpendicular horizontal axes (22, 24). The joystick has a lower end (122) that lies in a cavity (120) where the joystick is pivotally mounted, the joystick has an upper end (121) forming a handle, and the joystick has a middle portion (124) that projects through an upper end of the cavity that lies within an aperture (114) of a housing top wall (112). A plurality of joystick detents (141-144) are mounted on the joystick middle portion, and a plurality of housing detents (151-154) are mounted on the housing to each engage a joystick detent.