Abstract: A safety hook that includes a hook portion having a hook body with a shank portion, a nose portion and a mouth between the shank and the nose portion, a gate having a closure and at least one web portion along a plane is mounted on the hook body. The web portion of the gate includes a protrusion that extends away from the plane of the web portion and towards the mouth of the hook. A locking element with at least one wall portion that has a slot adapted for receiving the protrusion of the gate is mounted against the shank of the hook body. The wall portion will preferably be mounted between the web and the shank of the hook so that the locking element is movable from a first position, where the wall portion impedes motion of the protrusion on the web portion of the gate, and a second position where the slot receives the protrusion on the web portion, allowing opening of the gate, so that the gate can move to provide access to the mouth of the hook.