The safety of both the machine and the person using it is guaranteed by a fail-safe control switch, often known as an emergency stop button. When there is a possibility of injury or when the workflow needs to be stopped, the emergency push button's purpose is to quickly stop the machinery.

Push button control stations provide a housing for certain industrial types of push buttons, with some fitting multiple buttons. They are usually made of a tough material such as polycarbonate or stainless steel.