Abstract: A safety catch is disclosed for reducing the incidence of accidental dislodgement of a pickup bar mating with a container lifting hook, the safety catch including a pivoted safety catch member mounted into and restricting the hook opening by contact with the lifting bar moving in a direction out of the lifting hook. The safety catch in the restricting position restrains the movement of the container pickup bar from the inside to prevent the bar from escaping and allowing the container to fall. However, the safety catch is moved aside to an unrestricting position when the bar contacts the same from the outside, incidental to being moved into engagement with the lifting hook.