Hundreds of North Sea workers too heavy for new helicopter rules

Hundreds of offshore workers in the North Sea have not yet met the new weight limit requirements for helicopter travel, despite the rules set to start in November. According to BBC Scotland, the new safe weight limit for offshore workers is 19st 7lb (124kg) when wearing clothing and footwear necessary for travel. Over 2,200 offshore workers were previously found to exceed this limit, with new data indicating that up to 800 still exceed the weight requirement.

This could potentially lead to job losses. Dr. Niyi Adeleke, an Aberdeen-based occupational health physician, explained that workers above the weight limit will not receive a medical certificate, resulting in a variety of reactions from affected workers, including stress, seeking weight loss injections, or choosing to leave the offshore industry for onshore roles.

Employment law specialist Will Rollinson stated that companies must consider the worker's efforts to lose weight, reasons for failing to do so, and further support options before considering dismissal. An employment specialist from Brodies added that alternative onshore roles could be explored for employees unable to meet the new weight standards.

With eight weeks until the mandatory implementation date, the affected workforce is working to reduce the number of workers over the new limit, but OEUK health, safety and security manager Graham Skinner noted that the remaining eight weeks will still present a challenge.