A lifting beam for lifting a load. The lifting beam comprises: an elongated beam; a load balancing mechanism movably associated with the elongated beam and having a horizontal arm and a counterweight attachment element, from which a counterweight can be hung; a lifting ring connected to the elongated beam from which the lifting beam can be hung; and a load attachment mechanism whereby the load is attachable to the lifting beam, wherein the load balancing mechanism further comprises a counterweight movement apparatus adapted to move the counterweight along the elongated beam in order to help balance the load, and the elongated beam has a series of micro-switches along a bottom surface thereof the micro-switches arranged whereby an end of the horizontal arm will contact one of the switches in the case of undue tilting of the lifting beam.