An apparatus for safely operating at least two components which are movable relative to one another in a machine for processing printing materials, includes drive motors each driving a respective one of the movable components. At least one control computer detects movement of the movable components. The control computer is set up in such a way that, if a spacing is reduced between the movable components, at least that movable component, which is the cause for the reduction in the spacing between the movable components, is brought to a standstill. A printing press having the apparatus is also provided.