Offshore employers are being urged to identify and support workers who could be affected by new industry weight restrictions, with less than two months remaining before mandatory implementation.
October is the last full month for workers and employers to prepare before a mandatory 124kg clothed weight limit comes into force on November 1.
From that date, anyone exceeding the limit will not be permitted to travel offshore, potentially affecting their ability to work.
Aberdeen occupational health specialist International Medical Management (IMM) is encouraging companies to act now rather than wait until an employee’s next medical or mobilisation.
Dr Louise Slaney, Medical Director at IMM, said:
“Although November may still seem some way off, employers now have only a relatively short window in which to identify potentially affected workers and put appropriate support in place.
“Waiting until October, an employee’s next offshore medical or the point of mobilisation could leave too little time for weight reduction to be achieved safely and sustainably.
“From November 1, someone arriving at the heliport weighing more than 124kg fully clothed will not be able to travel offshore. For the individual, that could mean being unable to go to work; for the employer, it could create an unexpected gap in the crew at the point of mobilisation.”
Offshore worker reduces weight by 23kg
IMM has already supported an offshore worker whose weight placed them above the new safe weight limit.
In March, the worker began a clinically supervised medical weight-management programme incorporating prescribed treatment where appropriate, dietary changes and increased physical activity.
With ongoing clinical support, their weight reduced from 128kg to 105kg, bringing them comfortably below the 124kg limit and enabling them to continue working offshore.
Dr Slaney said: “This case demonstrates what can be achieved when someone is identified early and given appropriate medical and practical support.
“The aim is not simply to achieve rapid weight loss before a deadline, but to help the individual make safe and sustainable changes that improve their health and allow them to remain in offshore employment.”
The Safe Weight Limit Policy was introduced by Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) following industry work examining the implications of increasing worker weights for offshore emergency response.
HM Coastguard and Search and Rescue helicopter operators have highlighted restrictions on winching capacity above 124.7kg. The new limit is therefore set at 124kg fully clothed, providing a 0.7kg safety margin. The 249kg maximum winch load comprises the worker’s clothed weight plus a rescue worker averaging 90.3kg, a 29kg stretcher and 5kg of kit. OEUK has said the average weight of offshore workers has risen by almost 10kg since 2008.
The industry has been operating under a transition period since February, during which employers have been encouraged to identify workers who may be affected and provide access to appropriate weight-management support. That transition period ends on October 31, with mandatory implementation beginning the following day. OEUK has said that between 500 and 800 workers remain above the limit, down from more than 2,200 when the policy was announced.
The changes also have implications for offshore medicals.
During the current transition period, certificates issued to workers weighing more than 124kg must not remain valid beyond October 31, 2026. Certificates for those weighing between 120.1kg and 124kg may remain valid until no later than January 31, 2027, while those weighing between 115kg and 120kg may remain valid until no later than April 30, 2027.
From November 1, workers weighing more than 124kg fully clothed will not be issued with an OEUK medical fitness-to-work certificate. Those weighing between 120.1kg and 124kg may receive a reduced-duration certificate valid for up to three months, while those weighing between 115kg and 120kg may receive one valid for up to six months.
Workers will continue to be weighed during normal heliport check-in. An OEUK medical certificate confirms fitness at the time of the medical examination, but it does not guarantee that the worker will remain below the weight limit throughout the certificate’s validity. From November 1, anyone weighing more than 124kg fully clothed at outbound check-in will not be permitted to travel offshore by helicopter, even if they hold a valid and in-date OEUK medical certificate.
Dr Slaney added: “This is why employers should be looking at their workforce now rather than assuming the issue will be picked up through the medical process.
“A worker could have a medical certificate which remains valid beyond November but still be unable to board an offshore flight because their weight at check-in exceeds the new limit.
“The priority over the coming weeks should be identifying anyone potentially affected and putting appropriate support in place. Weight reduction should be managed safely and sustainably rather than people feeling under pressure to lose significant amounts of weight quickly simply to meet a deadline.”
In Case You Missed it:
The restriction applies to outbound offshore flights. Workers travelling back to shore are not subject to the weight restriction.
With more than 20 years’ experience, IMM’s services include providing offshore medics, occupational health medicals, health surveillance, drug and alcohol testing, occupational hygiene, travel health and vaccinations, counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy. IMM also provides a doctor-led medical weight management service, offering clinical assessment and ongoing support for sustainable weight loss.
For more information, visit www.int-medical.com
