Abstract: An electromagnetic switching device includes an electromagnetic drive apparatus and has a moving contact element which can be operated by this drive apparatus. The moving contact element can be switched between a bridging position, which connects a pair of stationary contacts, and a disconnected position, which disconnects the stationary contacts. The electromagnetic switching device also has an actuating apparatus having an actuating element which interacts with the moving contact element and can be moved between an operating position and a safe position. In the operating position, the moving contact element can be switched by the electromagnetic drive apparatus between the bridging position and the disconnected position. Further, by movement of the actuating element to the safe position, the moving contact element can be blocked from moving from the bridging position to the disconnected position, and can be blocked in the disconnected position.