An hand-operated safety switch with time delay (1) comprises a switching device (2) adapted to be anchored to a fixed part of the protection and provided with switching means (5) adapted to be connected to a plant to be controlled, an operating device (3) adapted to be anchored to a movable part of the protection for interacting with the switching means (5) upon the closing of the movable part. The switching device (2) comprises a locking mechanism (9) associated with the switching means (5) and adapted to selectively hold/release the operating device (3) and hand-operable unlocking means (10) operatively coupled with the locking mechanism (9) for unlocking the operating device (3) with a predetermined time delay with respect of the switching of the power supply circuit by the switching means (5). The switching device (2) has sensor means (13) operatively coupled with the switching means (5) for modifying their operative condition in function of an inlet signal. The operating device (3) also comprises a transmitter (14) adapted to send a proximity signal to be received as input by the sensor means (13) for controlling the switching means (5) when said transmitter (14) is place at a predetermined minimum distance from the sensor means (13). The locking mechanism (9) also comprises an inner passage (29) adapted to allow the passage of means for connecting the sensor means (13) with the switching means (5) avoiding the interference with the unlocking means (10).