Abstract: A coordinate laser cutting machine nozzle rides in close proximity to sheet material to be cut, and the nozzle is provided with an outer chambered ring, spring-loaded to ride on the sheet stock. The nozzle ring is provided with a concentric band of spring steel held in spaced relationship thereto by a plurality of standoffs. The spring ring is maintained at a spaced distance from the surface of the sheet stock, i.e. at the chamfer line, and the spring ring and outer nozzle ring are connected to an electrical supply. Upon contacting a dislodged workpiece previously-cut from the sheet stock, the spring ring makes electrical contact with the outer nozzle ring, and the resulting electrical signal is used for automatically inhibiting machine movement, or for otherwise indicating a fault condition.