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Lose weight or lose your jobs, offshore workers told
More than 2,200 workers exceed the 124.7kg limit designed for safe helicopter rescue, with a year to comply before losing offshore medical clearance and flight access.
- From November next year, Offshore Energies UK will require North Sea oil workers to meet a maximum clothed weight of 124.7kg so they can be airlifted by coastguard helicopters in emergencies.
- A two-and-a-half-year review found a weight limit was the only safety solution as Offshore Energies UK cited rising offshore weights and past fixes upgraded lifeboats but missed underlying weight increases.
- OEUK data show more than 2,200 workers currently exceed the new weight limit, about 2,500 will definitely have to lose weight, and 5,000 total people might be affected.
- Unions urged OEUK to support workers, as Graham Skinner warned `in the very worst cases that would be the case for some people` about potential job losses.
- OEUK plans say it will work hard over the next 12 months to help affected workers lose weight, while offshore employers and colleagues provide circuit training amid Coastguard rescue winch load limits.
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Thousands of offshore North Sea oil and gas jobs at risk under new weight limits
Workers need to meet 124.7kg limit by next November, which trade body says is required to ensure safety Thousands of North Sea oil and gas workers risk losing their jobs on offshore rigs unless they lose weight within the next year. Workers who weigh more than 124.7kg (19.5 st) fully clothed will…
The Herald Scotland+3 Reposted by 3 other sources
Thousands of offshore workers could lose jobs if they fail to lose weight
Trade body Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) is bringing in guidelines from November 2026 which will require all those working offshore to weigh less than…
·Scotland, United Kingdom
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Total News Sources10
Leaning Left4Leaning Right1Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
50% Left
L 50%
C 38%
12%
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