Abstract: A safety guard for a pressing brake into which a work piece is inserted manually by an operator standing in front of the machine comprises a horizontal bar disposed between the machine and the operator at somewhat above waist height so as to serve as a stop for the operator's forearms as he manually inserts the work piece. The bar is adjustable vertically and horizontally toward and away from the machine to compensate for differences in the "reach" of the operator so that engagement of the operator's forearms with the bar will prevent insertion of the operator's hands into the pressing area.