1. An apparatus for monitoring a detection region ( 6 ) of a working element, having at least one camera ( 5 ) for continuously detecting the detection region ( 6 ), further having an evaluation unit, into which image information that has been generated by the camera ( 5 ) is read, the information being used in a comparison to reference images stored in the evaluation unit, and/or in a color-feature analysis, to detect endangered objects within at least one protection zone ( 7 ) inside the detection region ( 6 ), wherein, when at least one endangered object is detected within the protection zone ( 7 ), the working element is disabled, and the evaluation unit enables the working element if no endangered object is located inside the protection zone ( 7 ).