A safety clamping device for clamping onto a first rope portion and retaining a second rope portion. The clamping device comprises a clamping portion and a retaining portion. The clamping portion clamps onto the first rope portion, and comprises first and second clamping members in use hingedly coupled to one another such that the clamping portion is movable between an open configuration suitable for receiving the first rope portion and a clamping configuration suitable for clamping onto the first rope portion. The retaining portion retains the second rope portion relative to the position of the first rope portion, and is coupled to the clamping portion.