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pewag Group Backs Global Lifting Awareness Day (GLAD) 2026
The pewag UK group is proud to once again support Global Lifting Awareness Day (GLAD) 2026, powered by the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA) and its members, alongside a global network of supporting industry stakeholders. Now in its seventh year, GLAD continues to unite manufacturers, suppliers, procurement professionals, and end users around a shared goal: promoting safe, high‑quality load lifting across the world.
This year’s theme, “Not all Lifting Equipment is Created Equal,” shines a spotlight on one of the most critical and often overlooked risk points in lifting operations: procurement.
What Is GLAD and Why It Matters
GLAD is widely recognised as a global awareness day where the lifting community comes together to share knowledge, promote best practice, and encourage safer lifting outcomes. Through social media posts, videos, articles and in-person activity – all connected by the hashtag #GLAD2026 – the industry sends a unified message about the importance of lifting safety and informed decision‑making.
The 2026 campaign will culminate in the publication of a practical guidance document aimed at procurement professionals, helping them source lifting equipment with greater clarity, confidence, and competence.
GLAD 2026: Not All Lifting Equipment Is Created Equal
LEEA leads a series of independent annual campaigns aligned with its long‑term vision of lifting and height safety industries that have eliminated accidents, injuries, and fatalities. This year’s initiative focuses on helping the industry describe products clearly – and buy them wisely.
Matt Barber, Director of Membership at LEEA, explained the intent behind the campaign:
“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. Whether addressing skills shortages or reminding industry that not all lifting equipment is created equal, the aim is always to leave industry with a meaningful takeaway.”
The campaign addresses a growing challenge within the sector: inconsistent product descriptions and ambiguous specifications that make it difficult for buyers to distinguish between equipment designed for demanding, repetitive lifts and products suitable only for occasional use.
Why Procurement Decisions Matter
As Barber highlights, the most consequential decision in a lifting operation is often made weeks before the lift ever takes place:
“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 research and accident data reinforce this message. A lack of standardised product descriptions can mask critical performance differences, exposing lifting teams to unnecessary and avoidable risk onsite.
A Collective Pledge to Do Better
In support of GLAD 2026, LEEA is conducting a spring survey campaign engaging both suppliers and procurement professionals. The findings will help shape clearer communication, better buying decisions, and ultimately safer lifting operations.
“Our end goal is to bring suppliers and buyers together on 2 July to make a collective pledge to do better,” Barber added.
Join the pewag UK Group and LEEA This GLAD
The pewag UK Group is proud to stand alongside LEEA in supporting GLAD 2026 and reinforcing the message that quality, clarity, and competence matter at every stage of the lift – starting with procurement.
Join the conversation, follow the campaign, and share your stories using #GLAD2026.
For more information, visit the Global Lifting Awareness Day website and be part of a global movement raising standards across the lifting industry.