A work machine (1) having a controller (40) that can perform area limiting control, the work machine further includes a machine control ON/OFF switch (17) that alternatively selects an ON position permitting execution of the area limiting control and an OFF position prohibiting execution of the area limiting control. The controller (40) has an engine control section (63) that performs automatic idling control when a predetermined period of time (T1) has elapsed after a point in time when all of operation levers (1, 23) have attained a neutral state. The engine control section (63) is configured to execute the automatic idling control during when the switch (17) is in the OFF position and not to execute the automatic idling control during when the switch (17) is in the ON position.