The purpose of this descriptive correlational research was to investigate postsecondary agriculture students' perceptions regarding the safe use of agricultural mechanics equipment. Students enrolled in a university metals and welding course were surveyed using an adapted instrument to assess constructs of the Health Beliefs Model, self-efficacy for learning, and self-efficacy for safety. The purpose of this study was to identify the health belief structures of the students enrolled in the course, in order to tailor instruction that enhances the self-efficacy and purposeful behaviors of all course participants. The respondents (N = 117) were separated according to major with 18.8% (n = 22) representing agricultural education preservice teachers. Findings showed that agricultural education students indicated that they were more susceptible to safety accidents and had a lower self-efficacy for learning and self-efficacy for safety. This study revealed that students perceive safety instruction as vital in a metals and welding course. Results identified several key opportunities to improve the safety of both students and instructors. The safety training of agricultural education preservice teachers is vital to the safe and effective operation of agricultural mechanics laboratories.