IPAF appoints new representative in Ireland

The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) has announced it has appointed a new representative covering Ireland and Northern Ireland, following a year of rapid growth in membership and training delivery across the region.  

Damien O’Connor will take up the post in January 2023 and brings considerable experience and expertise from a career in project management, equipment hire, training and safety consultancy. He worked in a variety of roles for HSS Hire in Ireland between 2014 and 2021, before establishing his own training and safety consultancy business. He is also a qualified IPAF Training Instructor.  

Prior to that he worked as a project manager and contractor, before a work-related fall from height in 2013 forced a change of career and prompted his interest in and passion for work at height safety and training. His new role will be to support IPAF’s members across both Ireland and Northern Ireland, representing IPAF at trade shows and events, and liaising with contractors to promote the benefits of using IPAF-certified powered access operators, training and rental companies. He will be based remotely and report to Richard Whiting, IPAF’s UK & Ireland Market General Manager.  

Richard says: “Damien is both highly experienced in the powered access rental and training sector and very passionate about work at height safety. He has a wide-ranging career in both Ireland and the US, counting project management, finance, equipment rental and training/safety consultancy credentials on an impressive CV.  

“He will take up his new role with IPAF at an exciting time for the Irish Region, with membership and training numbers burgeoning on either side of the border and the rental membership making good progress towards IPAF Rental+ certification, which is a major benefit to end users in terms of customer service and safety standards. We look forward to welcoming Damien aboard in the New Year.” 

Damien comments: “IPAF is well known to me from my work in recent years as a safety and training consultant and motivational speaker around avoiding falls from height, and of course from my time in a variety of roles across equipment rental with HSS Hire in Ireland. I am really looking forward to getting to meet the IPAF members across the region and helping spread the word about safety, training and the IPAF Rental+ standard. I can’t wait to get started.”  

Peter Douglas, CEO & Managing Director of IPAF, comments: “After a strong year for IPAF across the board, IPAF’s Irish Region has been a standout in terms of new members and training delivery. It is such a fast-growing market and so this is the ideal time to appoint a standalone representative to cover both Ireland and Northern Ireland.  

“I am delighted to announce Damien as the latest addition to the IPAF team and wish him every success in the new role. He certainly has an impressive CV and his passion and enthusiasm for spreading the message about safety and quality training is evident for all to see. He will be a great fit and we’re very happy to welcome him on board.”