Safety method and optoelectronic sensor

The invention relates to a method for securing a danger zone of a moving tool (11) having an engagement point (27), in particular a vertically downwardly moving upper tool (11) of a die bending press, wherein an optoelectronic sensor is moved together with the tool (11) and the Monitored danger zone, and wherein upon detection of an intervention in the danger area, a shutdown process to stop the tool movement is triggered. The optoelectronic sensor monitors a volume of space (29) in that the transmitted light beam of a transmitting device is widened by means of transmitting optics and a spatially resolving receiving device is used which has a matrix-like arrangement of receiving elements. The invention further relates to a corresponding optoelectronic sensor.