Abstract: A machine tool safety system includes an electric field generator capacitively coupled to a receptor antenna. A self-test network includes a self-test radiating antenna and a circuit arrangement operative to apply a test signal to the self-test antenna. The test signal may be of sufficient strength to induce in the receptor antenna a first excitation signal having a magnitude greater than a first predetermined threshold to verify that the safety system is operative to detect the entry of the field generator carried on an operator's person into a hazard zone proximal to the machine tool. The test signal may be of sufficient strength to induce a second excitation signal greater than a second threshold to verify that the safety system is operative to detect the entry of the field generator into an arming zone spaced from the hazard zone.