Apparatus for gripping a tubular member

An apparatus for gripping a tubular member (118) comprising a housing (101) having an opening (119) for receiving a tubular member (118), at least one passive jaw (102, 103) pivotally mounted on said housing (101) and pivotable between a first position in which said tubular member (118) can enter said apparatus (100) via said opening (119) and a second position in which exit of said tubular (118) from said apparatus (100) is inhibited, an arm (112, 113) displaceable to prevent said passive jaw (102) pivoting to its first position, an active jaw (115) displaceable into engagement with said tubular member (118), and means (114) which act between said active jaw (115) and said arm (112) so that, in use, when a tubular member (188) is in said apparatus (100) and said active jaw (115) is advanced towards said tubular member (118) said arm (112) is displaced to prevent said passive jaw (102) moving to its first position before said active jaw (115) engages said tubular (118).