A safety-oriented load switching device for the electric switching of an automation component, the device including a first branch circuit and a second branch circuit which extend from a respective supply-side supply connection to a respective load-side load connection, wherein a switching assembly including a parallel circuit of a switching means designed for an opening and a closing of the respective branch circuit and of a resistor means is formed in each branch circuit, and further including at least one measuring point located between the switching assembly and the load connection, and wherein a potential measuring device, which is electrically connected to a reference point and configured for providing a potential-dependent measuring signal, is connected to the measuring point.