An off-stop mechanism for a circuit breaker. Off-stop mechanism includes a handle moveable to an OFF configuration, the handle including a blocking engagement portion, a blocking member pivotally coupled at a pivot location, a linkage coupled between a cross bar housing and a linkage attachment location of the blocking member, the linkage being configured to: position the blocking member in an unblocked orientation when the main contacts are not fused together, and in a blocked orientation when the main contacts are fused together, wherein blocking member in the blocked orientation engages the blocking engagement portion as the operating handle is moved to the OFF configuration wherein the engagement places the blocking member in compression between the pivot location and the blocking contact portion. Circuit breakers including the off-stop mechanism and methods of operating a circuit breaker are also provided, as are other aspects.