Fri, 07 Nov 2025

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 Lose weight or lose your jobs, offshore workers told

Thousands of offshore workers are too heavy for the limitations of helicopter winch systems.
Offshore workers in the North Sea must meet a new weight limit by November 2026, or risk losing their jobs. The industry body Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) has introduced a maximum clothed weight of 124.7kg for offshore workers to ensure they can be safely winched to rescue helicopters in emergency situations. This is because the current maximum load capacity of Coastguard rescue helicopters is 249kg, which includes the weight of the worker, rescue equipment, and crew. According to OEUK, over 2,200 workers currently exceed this weight limit, and job losses could occur if they fail to meet the new requirement. However, industry experts believe that most workers will be able to lose enough weight to comply with the policy, thanks to support from employers and the offshore community. A worker who spoke on condition of anonymity said he was managing to lose weight but feared colleagues could lose their jobs when the new rules come into force. He emphasized that it's possible to maintain a healthy lifestyle while working in the North Sea, citing access to gyms and other fitness facilities. Industry experts acknowledge that implementing this policy may lead to job losses in extreme cases, but they stress that employers will have a duty to support workers who struggle to meet the weight limit.
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