An apparatus for allowing operation of equipment by an authorized operator comprises a biometric scanner 20 receiving a biometric input from an authorized operator, and transmitting an authorization signal as long as the biometric input is received from the authorized operator. The apparatus further includes an equipment control system 18 that allows the equipment to operate substantially only while the equipment control system receives the authorization signal from the biometric scanner 20, and that prevents the equipment from operating shortly after the authorization signal is no longer received from the biometric scanner.