Abstract: Safety apparatus attachable to a punch press for providing a time delay between the starting of the drive-brake motor which drives the flywheel and the engagement of the clutch which couples the flywheel to the drive shaft. The time delay allows the flywheel to be brought up to sufficient speed by the drive motor prior to its engagement with the crankshaft such that it imparts sufficient momentum to the crankshaft to perform the task intended for the crankshaft ram. A safety shut-off switch is utilized in combination with the time delay mechanism to totally shut down the drive-brake motor at the end of a pressing cycle of the drive shaft by shutting off motor power, causing the braking function of the motor to stop the flywheel. The start of the drive motor and the initiation of the time delay for engaging the clutch are simultaneously initiated by the downward movement of a safety shield which may be attached to the press to shield the work area during movement of the flywheel.