Abstract: The invention relates to a safety apparatus for avoiding a possible fire risk in an operating magnet which can be supplied with electric current, having at least one coil former (14) which is arranged in a housing (76, 82) and on which a coil winding (16) is fitted, and having an operating part (20, 36) which is at least partially guided in the coil former (14). As a result of at least parts of the operating magnet being equipped with active and/or passive safety means of the apparatus in order to effectively counteract the risk of fire, the safety means are no longer arranged remote from the actual event, for example in the form of a fuse in the electrical supply circuit, but rather directly at the location of the event where the possible fire or scorching situation can directly occur.