Abstract: A safety control mechanism for a press brake assembly or the like, wherein an operator is required to continuously depress two hand control buttons to initiate movement of a ram from a top dead center position toward the workpiece. When the ram has come within a predetermined distance of a support die on which the workpiece is positioned, a foot pedal is actuable for controlling movement of the ram during actual contact with the workpiece and until the ram reaches top dead center. The operator is then free to grasp and position the workpiece during the actual work operation.