Offshore staff advised, reduce weight or lose your job

Thousands of North Sea oil staff are being advised they have to reduce weight if they’re to proceed flying offshore – or face shedding their jobs.

From November subsequent yr, trade physique Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) mentioned the utmost weight of clothes for a employee going offshore ought to be 124.7 kg (19.5 st) – in order that they could possibly be worn for cover in an emergency.

The 249kg (39st) most Coastguard Rescue Helicopter winch load is made up of that determine plus the typical 90.3kg (14st) weight of a rescue employee, a 29kg (4.5st) stretcher and 5kg (0.8st) of equipment.

OEUK mentioned greater than 2,200 staff are presently above the burden restrict, and in a worst-case situation may lose jobs.

New protected weight restrict coverage It comes after the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) warned that rescue winches – that are important throughout offshore emergencies – can not safely elevate heavy folks.

The common weight of offshore staff has elevated by about 10 kilograms (1.5 kg) since 2008, OEUK mentioned.

The resolution to introduce protected weight limits for offshore staff follows a evaluate performed by trade consultants over the past two and a half years.

Rules relating to shoulder measurement have been first launched for staff touring by helicopter to offshore installations.

Passengers with a shoulder width of twenty-two inches (56 cm) or extra have been positioned on this class. “Extra Comprehensive” And they needed to sit subsequent to an equally massive helicopter window so they might escape.

Graham Skinner, well being and security supervisor at OEUK, mentioned it was hoped the brand new security coverage – ​​as a part of a “strong safety culture” – wouldn’t result in job losses, however he couldn’t rule it out.

“That would be the absolute worst case scenario.

“Employers will have a duty to support their employees through this and try to find appropriate solutions, but in the worst case scenario this will be the case for some people.”

Mr Skinner described it as “really important” that there was a transparent message to the workforce that new guidelines have been coming.

“Hopefully this will be an inspiration for everyone to follow this policy and lose weight by November next year,” he mentioned.

“There are people who will face a real challenge over the next 12 months to lose weight so they can get under the weight limit.

“There are around 2,270 people who need to lose a bit of weight to ensure they can continue to work after November next year.

“At that time an offshore worker weighing more than 124 kilograms would not get their medical and it would prevent them from getting on the helicopter.”

However, Mr Skinner mentioned he was “really confident” that the “vast majority” of staff have been going to fall below the burden restrict.

He cited the assist he has acquired from his employers, offshore operators and the offshore group itself.

“We have already heard from offshore workers who are offering circuit training and gym sessions for workers,” he mentioned.

“So this is a great opportunity for the community to come together.”

Unite union regional officer John Boland mentioned: “We would hope that no one loses their job through this and support can be put in place to stop that happening.

“We are of greatest concern to individuals who are naturally large and in some cases extremely fit but are above the actual weight limit.

“Those are the discussions we need to have about how we can support those individuals as well.”

Mandatory implementation of the brand new coverage will happen from November 1, 2026.