The invention relates to a method for actuating a mode selection switching element of an installation by means of a safe control operation, wherein the installation has a functional controller and communication connections, and wherein the functional controller has a storage unit, a (sequence) control apparatus, a display and a user interface. The method has the following steps: providing a mode-selection actuating element on a user interface; receiving a user input to change the operating mode at the user interface; transmitting the data relating to the change of operating mode to the mode-selection switching element; transmitting the data relating to the change of operating mode from the mode-selection switching element back to the functional controller; checking whether the operating mode of the data which have been transmitted back matches the operating mode selected by the user; transmitting a confirmation to the mode-selection switching element; and changing the operating mode by means of the mode-selection switching element.