A lifting apparatus having a tool, which is vertically displaceable by means of a motor and to which at least a first toothed wheel is coupled in terms of movement. The toothed wheel engages over the vertical path of displacement in a stationary toothed rack. The lifting gear includes a safety device having a blocking element which, in a locked position, stops the tool from moving in the direction of gravity, at least when the lifting apparatus is deenergized, wherein the blocking element stops the tool over the vertical path of displacement, at basically any level in any vertical position, and is held against a restoring force in an unblocking position with vertical movement of the tool, and the restoring force pushes the blocking element into its locked position, at least when the lifting apparatus is deenergized.