A switch assembly for actuating functions of a hand-held surgical instrument, comprising: a switch housing defining a channel therethrough, the switch housing defining a longitudinal axis; a first switch subassembly including: a shaft disposed within the channel of the switch housing and having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the shaft being pivotable relative to the switch housing about at least one pivot axis to actuate at least one function of a surgical instrument, and a toggle button non-rotatably connected to the distal end portion of the shaft; and said switch assembly being characterized in that the proximal end portion of the shaft includes a magnet and in that it further comprises a second switch subassembly including: a safety bar extending through the switch housing, transverse to the longitudinal axis, and being axially movable therein, the safety bar having a first end and a second end and defining a longitudinal axis therebetween; and a post extending through the safety bar, transversely thereto, such that movement of the safety bar along the longitudinal axis thereof moves the post between a firing position and a non-firing position. a switch housing defining a channel therethrough, the switch housing defining a longitudinal axis; a first switch subassembly including: a shaft disposed within the channel of the switch housing and having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the shaft being pivotable relative to the switch housing about at least one pivot axis to actuate at least one function of a surgical instrument, and a toggle button non-rotatably connected to the distal end portion of the shaft; and said switch assembly being characterized in that the proximal end portion of the shaft includes a magnet and in that it further comprises a second switch subassembly including: a safety bar extending through the switch housing, transverse to the longitudinal axis, and being axially movable therein, the safety bar having a first end and a second end and defining a longitudinal axis therebetween; and a post extending through the safety bar, transversely thereto, such that movement of the safety bar along the longitudinal axis thereof moves the post between a firing position and a non-firing position. a shaft disposed within the channel of the switch housing and having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the shaft being pivotable relative to the switch housing about at least one pivot axis to actuate at least one function of a surgical instrument, and a toggle button non-rotatably connected to the distal end portion of the shaft; and said switch assembly being characterized in that the proximal end portion of the shaft includes a magnet and in that it further comprises a second switch subassembly including: a safety bar extending through the switch housing, transverse to the longitudinal axis, and being axially movable therein, the safety bar having a first end and a second end and defining a longitudinal axis therebetween; and a post extending through the safety bar, transversely thereto, such that movement of the safety bar along the longitudinal axis thereof moves the post between a firing position and a non-firing position. a safety bar extending through the switch housing, transverse to the longitudinal axis, and being axially movable therein, the safety bar having a first end and a second end and defining a longitudinal axis therebetween; and a post extending through the safety bar, transversely thereto, such that movement of the safety bar along the longitudinal axis thereof moves the post between a firing position and a non-firing position.