A safety switching device for switching on and safely switching off an electrical load, comprising a failsafe evaluation/control unit, an output terminal for providing a potential, a switching element having a first working contact, wherein the potential is connectable to the output terminal via the first working contact, and an input terminal for receiving an input signal for operating the switching element via the evaluation/control unit. Additionally, the safety switching device comprises a separator having a connecting piece, a drive element and a separating element. The drive element is configured to mechanically move the separating element from a first position into a second position and the connecting piece and the first working contact electrically connect in series with one another the potential to the output terminal. Further, in the second position the separating element irreversibly separates the connecting piece into two pieces.