A method for monitoring a chain pulley block and a chain pulley block apparatus with an electric actuator motor (2) that is connected at the drive side to a transmission (7) across a sliding clutch (14). In order to achieve a safe operation of the chain pulley block, the speed of the transmission (7) is determined via a sensor (18), the determined speed of the transmission (7) is compared in a control device (19) to the operating speed of the actuator motor (2) as determined from rated duty of the actuator motor (2) and if a deviation is found between the speed of the transmission (7) and the operating speed, allowing for tolerances and any transmission ratio of the transmission (7), the actuator motor (2) is switched off.