A protective apparatus and a machine tool are provided. The machine tool includes an operational element, a driving element, and the protective apparatus. The operational element and the driving element are disposed on machine table. The protective apparatus includes an insulating unit, conducting unit, capacitance sensor, and control unit. The insulating unit is disposed between the operational element and the driving element. The driving element drives the operational element by the insulating unit. The conducting unit contacts the operational element. The capacitance sensor electrically connects the conducting unit for sensing capacitance of the conducting unit. The control unit electrically connects the capacitance sensor and the driving element and determines whether a user approaches the operational element based on the capacitance. When the control unit detects that the distance between the user and the operational element is too close, the control unit stops the operation of the operational element.