Machine to perform at least one operation on at least one panel or other workpiece, in said machine being defined an access side, said machine comprising: - a work surface to receive at least one panel or other workpiece; - a transversal member movable, according to a first axis, above said work surface; - first moving and stopping means to move said transversal member according to said first axis and to stop said transversal member; - at least one first operational element to perform at least one operation on said at least one panel or other workpiece placed on said work surface, said at least one first operational element being connected to said transversal member in a movable fashion along a second axis, substantially orthogonal to said first axis, between a withdrawn position, distal from said access side, and an advanced position, proximal to said access side; - second moving and stopping means to move said at least one first operational element along said second axis with respect to said transversal member and to stop said at least one first operational element; and - a safety system comprising: first sensor means to detect the presence of a person in a first zone adjacent to said access side of said machine, said first sensor means being operationally connected to said first moving and stopping means and to said second moving and stopping means in such a way that said first sensor means transmit a signal to said first moving and stopping means and to said second moving and stopping means to stop said transversal member and/or said at least one first operational element when they detect that at least one person is present in said first zone and that said at least one first operational element is in said advanced position, characterised in that the safety system further comprises: - detection means to detect whether said at least one first operational element is in said withdrawn position or in said advanced position with respect to said transversal member; - said first sensor means being operationally connected to said detection means. - a work surface to receive at least one panel or other workpiece; - a transversal member movable, according to a first axis, above said work surface; - first moving and stopping means to move said transversal member according to said first axis and to stop said transversal member; - at least one first operational element to perform at least one operation on said at least one panel or other workpiece placed on said work surface, said at least one first operational element being connected to said transversal member in a movable fashion along a second axis, substantially orthogonal to said first axis, between a withdrawn position, distal from said access side, and an advanced position, proximal to said access side; - second moving and stopping means to move said at least one first operational element along said second axis with respect to said transversal member and to stop said at least one first operational element; and - a safety system comprising: first sensor means to detect the presence of a person in a first zone adjacent to said access side of said machine, said first sensor means being operationally connected to said first moving and stopping means and to said second moving and stopping means in such a way that said first sensor means transmit a signal to said first moving and stopping means and to said second moving and stopping means to stop said transversal member and/or said at least one first operational element when they detect that at least one person is present in said first zone and that said at least one first operational element is in said advanced position, characterised in that the safety system further comprises: - detection means to detect whether said at least one first operational element is in said withdrawn position or in said advanced position with respect to said transversal member; - said first sensor means being operationally connected to said detection means. - detection means to detect whether said at least one first operational element is in said withdrawn position or in said advanced position with respect to said transversal member; - said first sensor means being operationally connected to said detection means.