A safety switch includes a switch housing which accommodates a switch as well as mechanical and electrical and electronic components, and a head portion securable to an end face of the switch housing in several predetermined angular positions and accommodating a mechanical switching element e.g. a switching wheel which is operated by an actuator. A rigid positioning element is detachably secured to the switch housing and formed with a safety member, whereby the positioning element is adjustable between a locked position in which the safety member is positively engaged in the head portion and an idle position in which the safety member is disengaged from the head portion for allowing a rotation and re-positioning of the head portion relative to the switch housing.