14.08.2025

Kevin O’Shea 1960 - 2025

We have received the sad news that Kevin O’Shea, the safety director at Hydro Mobile and longtime mastclimber champion at the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) and the north American Scaffold & Access Industry Association (SAIA) has died.

He passed away yesterday, August 13th, a few months after the cancer that he had successfully battled a few years ago returned, he was 64, just five weeks off his 65th birthday. He leaves behind his wife Alison, step son Andrew and at least one grandchild.

A proud Scott

Kevin O’Shea was born and grew up in Glasgow, Scotland, and remained a proud Scotsman all his life, in spite of spending so much of it overseas. He entered the access industry when he joined JLG in the 1980s. At the time the company had a production plant and offices in Cumbernauld to the east of Glasgow. At JLG he worked for Andrew Reid and formed a working relationship that would chart his future career and passion.

When Reid established a mastclimber sales and rental business in the mid-1990s called Mastclimbers Ltd, O’Shea joined him and remained a champion of the technology for the rest of his life. Mastclimbers merged with SGB in 2001, with SGB taking a 51 percent stake, while Reid retained the balance, until 2004 when SGB acquired his shares.

O’Shea and Mastclimbers colleague Mike Pitt moved to the USA and set up Mastclimbers LLC in Atlanta and over the next nine years built a highly successful business.

In mid 2013 Kevin left the Mastclimbers business in Atlanta to join Canadian mast climber manufacturer Hydro Mobile to handle international regulations and safety for the company as well as assist with its export efforts, he also remained with the company following its acquisition by Brand Safway.

In addition to his career, Kevin O‘Shea devoted a great deal of time to helping establish decent standards and training courses for the industry, especially in the USA introducing the IPAF guides and courses to the North American market. In a way building on what his mastclimber mentor Andrew Reid had started as long ago as 2001.

Kevin was appointed chairman of the IPAF Mast Climbing Work Platforms (International) Committee and in the USA did a great deal of work with OSHA on setting standards for North American mast climber training, regulations and product standards.

He also became the mastclimber champion at the American Scaffold & Access Industry Association (SAIA), where he was a board director for Region 4, the chairman of the Mast Climbing Council, a member of A92 Main Committee, and A92.9 (A&B), A92.10 (A&B), A11.3, and A11.4 Subcommittees as well as being responsible for OSHA liaison, training hundreds of FedOSHA inspectors.

His former colleague Mike Pitt said: “Kevin Spoke at a great number of ceremonies and conferences and headed numerous committees. He was a major influencer and protagonist for mastclimbers around the world.”

We should also say that he was a talented singer and musician, in fact one of his colleagues went so far as to say that if he had not joined the access industry he could have had career in music! Kevin O’ Shea was a one off, always ready to offer help, advice or crack a joke or two. They say the good die young – well Kevin reinforces that statement. He will be missed by a great many people, many of them with no interest in mastclimbers.

The Following people wrote and sent comments without prompting.

Jackie Davis, associate director of SAIA said: “When I first started working with Kevin, I was a little intimidated, he was such a well respected, highly regarded industry pro. The first time I travelled with him was to an OSHA Round Table meeting with my executive director, DeAnna Martin. DeAnna assured me there was nothing to be nervous about, and she was right.

From the moment we met, Kevin was genuine, welcoming, and quick to offer both good guidance and, just as importantly, a perfectly timed line of good natured BS to break the ice. Kevin had a rare gift for connecting with people, building relationships that lasted, and making sure everyone felt included. He also knew how to get a party started, and when Kevin O’Shea was around, you knew it was going to be a good time.

Kevin had a way of taking you under his wing, introducing you to the right people, and making sure both of you left that conversation with new knowledge and a new ally you could call on. He was one of the hardest working, most dedicated, and most genuinely caring people I’ve ever known.
He will be deeply missed, not just for his professional brilliance, but for the warmth, humour, and generosity he brought to everyone around him.”

Executive director DeAnna Martin added: “Kevin’s knowledge and passion led him down many paths, including several key roles within SAIA. Because of that, I was fortunate to work closely with him for over a decade. A proud Scotsman, Kevin had a rare gift for bringing people together—with humour, honesty, and heart. There was never a dull moment when he was around. One of my favourite memories is of him singing New York, New York—it was the first time I truly understood what he was saying. If you spent time with Kevin, you laughed. That’s just who he was. Our thoughts are with Allison and the entire family. I raise a toast to you, my friend—cheers. You’ll be truly missed.”

IPAF North America country manager, Tony Groat said: “Kevin's passing is a real heartbreaker as he was loved by all who met him. A valued and active member of IPAF, Kevin was more than a colleague—he was a friend to all who knew him. Known for his unwavering positivity, Kevin would want to be remembered with smiles, laughter, and good cheer. His legacy will live on through the many lives he touched and the safety culture he championed.”

IPAF chief executive Peter Douglas added: “Those fortunate enough to work alongside Kevin knew him not only for his professional excellence but also for his generosity of spirit, approachable nature, and Scottish sense of humour! Whether in the boardroom, on a job site, or over a shared drink, Kevin inspired those around him to strive for better—safer—ways of working”

“The powered access industry is stronger because Kevin was part of it, and his absence will be felt deeply by all who knew him. On behalf of IPAF, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Kevin’s family, friends, and colleagues around the world. His commitment, his friendship, and his vision will be missed beyond measure.”
See also:
O’Shea moves to Hydro Mobile
O’Shea to chair IPAF N. America council
O’Shea chairs IPAF mast climbing committee

The following video includes an interview with Kevin O'Shea