Formed in 1944, the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA) is a trade association for all those involved in the lifting industry who wish to one day eliminate accidents, injuries and fatalities. With more than 1,200 members around the world, LEEA represents “below the hook” workers in every aspect of the lifting industry – from design and manufacture to refurbishment and repair, including the hire, maintenance and safe use of lifting equipment.
Global Lifting Awareness Day 2025
Part of making the industry safer and more resilient is building heightened awareness of lifting’s value to virtually every other industry. LEEA is one of the driving forces behind the Global Lifting Awareness Day (GLAD), a day dedicated to spreading the word on social media about the importance of raising standards and the significance of quality throughout the global lifting industry and its end-use markets.
“With GLAD 2025, we are trying to speak to those outside our industry and show the world that this is a tremendous industry to come and build a career in, and that there is a direct link between price and value when it comes to lifting equipment,” said Lifting Equipment Engineers Association CEO, Dr. Ross Moloney.
Set for June 12, this year’s GLAD is built around the theme, “Lifting Careers, Building Futures,” and is dedicated to tackling the growing skills shortages across the lifting industry, promoting practical tools to attract new talent, and using the day as a launchpad to inspire the next generation to explore careers in lifting.
Throughout the day, LEEA and its industry partners will roll out a series of activities, resources and discussions designed to support employers by providing keen insights into recruitment and retention strategies; empower job seekers by demonstrating the value of a career in the lifting industry; and promote greater industry-wide engagement in developing tomorrow’s workforce.
A recent survey
In conjunction with GLAD 2025, LEEA has also released the results of its recent State of the Lifting Industry survey. The number one challenge identified by members in the survey is adapting to legislative change. Respondents say they do not know enough about these changes and, as such, are not confident they are doing what’s needed to comply with evolving regulations.
“Sometimes they’re doing what they’ve always done or how they’ve been told, and they’re worried they’re doing it wrong,” said Moloney. “LEEA is looking at what we can do better to disseminate best practices so that the people on the front line can be confident that they are doing the right things, in the right way.”
Seventy per cent of survey respondents also suggested that more can be done to keep operators safe, as well as highlighting a growing need for ongoing development and training in safe lifting practices beyond what operatives receive during their induction. The survey allowed LEEA to drill down on the causes of accidents, which tend to be linked not to equipment failure – thanks to the quality of modern engineering and design – but to human factors.
“There is need for a cultural shift in our industry on how we view keeping our people safe,” said Moloney. “There is definitely a clear indicator around doing more habitual, more frequent, and more regular training. LEEA is currently working towards solutions in this area, and we are thrilled to take on the challenge of making our industry safer for the future.”