Although it is recommended that material to be drilled in a drill press is fastened down with clamps, frequently expediency dictates that the material is hand held for a quick drill and this can become very dangerous if the drill bit locks to the material and the material spins freely. If the handles of the machine controlling the depth of drilling were also pressure switches which controlled the power to the drill motor, releasing the handles would quickly cut the power and eliminate the danger of the spinning workpiece.
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You can't make power tools idiot-proof. Someone will still figure a way to drill through his hand.
I have had this happen, and by the time I released the handle the damage was already done. Besides, I sometimes lower the drill bit without running the motor for measuring purposes. It would be a hassle if I could not do this. I keep a pair of thick welders gloves next to the drill press now.
I made this modification to my drill press using a microswitch on the handle. It works well and the switch need not be depressed when lowering the handle for measuring purposes. It did not make the machine idiot proof but provided extra safety for an accident. Anyone of any mental capability can have accidents.