Operating method for a processing machine, especially a machine tool, - wherein a parts program which has a sequence of setpoint position values (p*) for a tool of the processing machine relative to a workpiece to be processed by means of the tool, is specified to a numerical control of the processing machine - wherein the numerical control, on the basis of the setpoint position values (p*), establishes a setpoint axis value (li*) in each case for a plurality of position-regulated axes (11 to 13) acting on machine elements (2 to 4) of the processing machine, - wherein the machine elements (1 to 6, 8, 9), the workpiece and the tool are assigned virtual protection bodies within the numerical control, - wherein the numerical control, before activating the position-regulated axes (11 to 13), establishes volumes which would be occupied by the protection bodies on activation of the position-regulated axes (11 to 13) in accordance with the sequence of setpoint position values (p*) and checks whether - where necessary, with the exception of the processing to be performed by the tool on the workpiece - the protection bodies remain disjoint from one another here, - wherein the numerical control activates the position-regulated axes (11 to 13) in accordance with the sequence of setpoint position values (p*) when the protection bodies remain disjoint from one another and otherwise suppresses the activation of the position-regulated axes (11 to 13) and executes an error reaction, characterised in that a position error field is known to the numerical control, which for any given setpoint axis values (li*), specifies which actual position (p) the tool assumes relative to the workpiece when the position-regulated axes (11 to 13) are positioned at the respective setpoint axis values (li*), - wherein the numerical control, at least for a part of the protection bodies, in the establishment of the volumes which would be occupied by the protection bodies on activation of the position-regulated axes (11 to 13) in accordance with the sequence of setpoint position values (p*), takes account of the position error field. - wherein a parts program which has a sequence of setpoint position values (p*) for a tool of the processing machine relative to a workpiece to be processed by means of the tool, is specified to a numerical control of the processing machine - wherein the numerical control, on the basis of the setpoint position values (p*), establishes a setpoint axis value (li*) in each case for a plurality of position-regulated axes (11 to 13) acting on machine elements (2 to 4) of the processing machine, - wherein the machine elements (1 to 6, 8, 9), the workpiece and the tool are assigned virtual protection bodies within the numerical control, - wherein the numerical control, before activating the position-regulated axes (11 to 13), establishes volumes which would be occupied by the protection bodies on activation of the position-regulated axes (11 to 13) in accordance with the sequence of setpoint position values (p*) and checks whether - where necessary, with the exception of the processing to be performed by the tool on the workpiece - the protection bodies remain disjoint from one another here, - wherein the numerical control activates the position-regulated axes (11 to 13) in accordance with the sequence of setpoint position values (p*) when the protection bodies remain disjoint from one another and otherwise suppresses the activation of the position-regulated axes (11 to 13) and executes an error reaction, - wherein the numerical control, at least for a part of the protection bodies, in the establishment of the volumes which would be occupied by the protection bodies on activation of the position-regulated axes (11 to 13) in accordance with the sequence of setpoint position values (p*), takes account of the position error field.