an electrosurgical forceps includes a housing having a shaft affixed thereto , the shaft including jaw members at a distal end thereof . the forceps also includes a switch assembly that includes a supporting member , a flexible membrane circuit having snap dome switch contacts operably fixed thereto , and ergonomically - contoured keytops . the switch assembly provides at least one monopolar activation switch , and a bipolar activation switch . the forceps also include a drive mechanism which causes the jaw members to move relative to one another for manipulating tissue . a monopolar safety switch is incorporated into the switch assembly which cooperates with the drive mechanism to inhibit the monopolar activation switch when the jaw members are in an open position .