key mechanism with display 106 has an interface 110 to access control module 18 it also may include user defined buttons 118 that may communicate with safety controller 72 and programmable logic controller module 70 electronic trapped key device 108 has a display 109 that is used to indicate the state of electronic trapped keys 114 where display objects representing keys may be green when a key is available or in a checked in state and red for a checked out state where the key is in use and thus trapped and cannot be used again until the requirements for it to be un trapped are met the display on electronic trapped key device 108 may also provide the operator with information regarding the next step in a safety sequence and the location for the performance of the step referring to fig1 an operator 20 requests access 120 to perimeter enclosure 10 by placing electronic trapped key device 108 in proximity to electronic trapped key mechanism with display 106 electronic trapped key mechanism with display 106 sends the request to safety controller 72 via network interface 76 and the request is logged with identification of the requestor the safety controller 72 checks the state of all prerequisites 122 safety controller 72 authenticates 124 operator 20 and their role with industrial security application server 102 of fig1 the role of the operator 20 will determine the type of access that they may or may not have to perimeter.