Lose weight or lose your jobs, beach workers are told

Thousands of North Sea oil workers have been told they must lose weight if they are to keep flying out – or face their jobs.

From November next year, the industry body OFFSEDSE UK (OEUK) says that the maximum weight for a beach worker should be 124kg (19.5 ST) – so that they can be safely removed in an emergency.

The 249kg (39st) maximum rescued helicopter winch load consisting of a Figure Avert to the Average of a Rescue Worker, a sequence of 90kg (14kg (4.5kg (0.8st) Kit.

Oeuk said more than 2,200 workers are currently above the weight limit, and jobs could be lost in the worst case scenario.

The new Safe Weight Limit Policy Coming after the Maritime and Couesguard agency (MCA) warns rescuers – which are critical in coastal emergencies – not safe to lift in coastal emergencies – not safe to lift in coastal emergencies – not safe to lift heavier people.

Oeuk said the average weight of beach workers had risen by almost 10kg (1.5st) since 2008.

The decision to implement a safe weight limit for offshore workers follows a review by industry experts over the past two and a half years.

The rules regarding shoulder size are introduced for workers traveling to and from helicopter shore installations.

Passengers with a shoulder width of 22in (56cm) or more are allowed “Extra wide” And had to sit next to an equally large window in the helicopter, so they could escape.

Graham Skinner, the manager of health and safety at Oeuk, said that the new safety policy – as part of a “strong work culture” – he could not bring it to work losses, but he could not take it.

“That is the absolute worst case scenario.

“Employers have a duty to support their workers through this and try to find reasonable solutions for this, but in the worst cases that is the case for some people.”

Mr Skinner described it as “vital” that there was a clear message to workers that the new rules were coming.

“Hopefully that will be the impetus for everyone to get the policy and lose weight in time for November next year,” he said.

“There are people who will have a real challenge in the next 12 months to lose weight to get to the weight limit.

“There are about 2,270 who need to lose some weight to ensure they can continue working after November next year.

“At that point a beach worker who weighs more than 124 kg will not get their medical and they will be forced to take a helicopter.”

However, Mr. Skinner said they are “very confident” that “the majority” of workers will go under the weight.

He cited the support they get from their employers, the beach operators, and the community itself.

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

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

John Boland, Union’s regional integration officer, said: “We hope that no one will lose their job through this and we can have support put in place to stop that.

“The biggest concerns we have come from individuals who are naturally built and in some cases very fit but above the actual weight limit.

“Those are the things we need to talk about, how we can support people.”

The mandatory implementation of the new policy is from 1 November 2026.