a lockable safety switch mechanism having a lockable switch mechanism that cooperates in an offset or skewed manner with an electrical switch . the lockable switch mechanism includes a switch plunger that is displaceable along a predetermined axis between a first position and a second position . a contour is formed along the switch plunger and cooperates with one or more locking mechanisms . a fork cooperates with the locking mechanism so as to selectively interfere with free movement of the switch plunger depending on the interaction between the contour and the locking mechanism . a link extends from one of the locking mechanism and the fork and interacts with a plunger of an electrical switch contact carrier so that an axis of movement of the switch plunger can be offset or skewed relative to an axis of movement of the electrical switch plunger .