A security apparatus and gate for a vertical baler has a perimeter security barrier formed as a pivotable U-shaped bar adapted to be connected to opposite side walls of the baler and used to block a user from moving too close to the baler when ejecting a bale therefrom, and an operator safety gate adapted to be pivotally connected to one side wall of the vertical baler and overlaping an ejection gate of the vertical baler and used to prevent the ejection gate from pivoting to an open position, such that the baler cannot eject a bale therefrom until the operator safety gate is pivoted into an open position allowing the ejection gate to be pivoted to an open position and the perimeter security barrier is pivoted into a blocking position.