The Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA) has confirmed that Global Lifting Awareness Day (GLAD) 2026 will be held on July 2, with a campaign theme centered on equipment selection: “Not all lifting equipment is created equal.”
The annual event highlights safety, quality and best practices in lifting and working at height. It brings together stakeholders across the industry, including manufacturers, suppliers and end users, to share information through digital content and in-person engagement.
As part of the 2026 initiative, LEEA plans to publish guidance designed to support procurement professionals in making more informed equipment purchasing decisions. The campaign will also emphasize the importance of clear product descriptions and consistent standards across the supply chain.
The organization notes that differences in how lifting equipment is specified and marketed can create challenges for buyers, particularly when distinguishing between products intended for heavy-duty use and those suited for less demanding applications.
Matt Barber, director of membership at LEEA, said: “GLAD is a globally recognised concept that stands on firm footings in its purpose to raise awareness about the challenges facing lifting industries across the world. LEEA has always sought to use the day to intensify our focus on a campaign message, whether that be addressing skills shortages and shaping tomorrow’s workforce, or reminding industry that not all lifting equipment is created equal. If we can leave industry with a meaningful takeaway, it only serves to give greater meaning and purpose to members’ and end users’ ongoing efforts to celebrate their roles in our sector.”
He added: “The most consequential decision in a lifting operation is often made weeks before the lift takes place, at the point of purchase. The sling, the hoist, the shackle, the lifting accessory; what was specified, what documentation came with it and whether the person who bought it had the information to make the right call. When that decision is made in an information vacuum, the risk doesn’t disappear. It gets transferred to the people doing the work.”
LEEA’s campaign will be supported by ongoing research, including surveys targeting both suppliers and those responsible for procurement decisions. The findings are expected to inform future guidance and help align industry practices.
The 2026 event will again use the hashtag #GLAD2026 to connect global participation and share campaign materials across platforms.
Lift & Access is part of the Catalyst Communications Network publication family.
