A pipe clamping apparatus comprises a housing defining a pipe aperture with an open bottom. A jaw is pivotally attached inside the housing. When the jaw is in the open position, an upper portion of the jaw extends into the pipe aperture. In operation the top of the pipe contacts the upper portion of the jaw moving the upper portion of the jaw upward and moving a lower portion of the jaw laterally toward the housing to the closed position where the housing and the jaw are in close proximity to the pipe, and the bottom end of the left side portion is located under the pipe. When the jaw is in the closed position, a blocking member can be moved to a locked position to prevent the jaw from moving back toward the open position, and a lock indicator visibly indicates that the jaw is locked closed.