A method for attenuating load oscillations in a load mechanism having a controlled drive, wherein a load is coupled mechanically to a motor via a spring element, includes determining an actual motor torque value, determining an actual angular velocity value, determining a motor inertial torque, calculating a spring torque from the actual angular velocity value, the motor inertial torque and the actual motor torque value, and supplying the calculated spring torque to an attenuator connection for attenuating the load oscillations.