At the 12 GeV storage ring PETRA, the first synchrotron radiation beamline uses a 4 m-long undulator. The beamline, with a length of 130 m between source and sample, delivers hard X-ray photons usable up to 300 keV. The photon beam has a total power of 7 kW. Combined with the high brilliance, the powerful beam is very critical for all beamline components. Copper, located at a distance of 26 m, hit by the full undulator beam, melts within 20 ms. Different monitors are described for stable, safe and reliable operation of beam and experiments.