A selectively operable magnetic braking system having a safety brake adapted to arrest movement when moved from a non-braking state into a braking state, a magnetic brake pad configured to move between an engaging position and a non-engaging position, the magnetic brake pad, when in the engaging position, moving an engaging mechanism and thereby the safety brake from the non-braking state into the braking state, and an electromagnetic actuator configured to move the magnetic brake pad from the non-engaging position to an engaging position.