Abstract: A thermal spray apparatus (100) is provided, including a booth (102) and a spray mechanism (106) in the booth configured to switch between an operating mode (108) and a safe mode (114). An operator (118) in the booth is protected from an emission (120) from the spray mechanism in the safe mode. The thermal spray apparatus includes a safety interlock for the spray mechanism, where the safety interlock switches between an operating condition in which the spray mechanism is configured to operate in either of the operating mode or the safe mode and a safe condition in which the spray mechanism is prevented from operating in the operating mode. The safety interlock switches to the safe condition upon an operator being enabled to enter the booth.