An operating device for the manual actuation of hoisting equipment, with at least one spring-loaded switch element (2) for each direction of movement of the lifting device arranged in a switch housing (1), wherein each switch element (2) includes a pressure activation mechanism (5), a first electrical micro-key button (4), and at least one additional control or switch element, especially another electrical micro-key button (6), and the pressure activation mechanism (5) is arranged in front of the micro-key button (4) and the additional control or switch element and these can be activated in succession by means of such structure.