The Maritime and Coastguard Agency prompted the intervention after warning that emergency winches fail under the combined weight of heavy workers, rescuers, and gear. Platform operators responded by installing extra fridge space for medications, upgrading gyms, and serving healthier meals. Pre-flight heliport checks will now enforce the restriction, though union leaders argue the mandate could arbitrarily push experienced staff out of the sector.
Key points
Maritime and Coastguard Agency hoist limitations mean oversized offshore staff will be pr…: Maritime and Coastguard Agency hoist limitations mean oversized offshore staff will be prevented from flying to platform jobs.
Staff unable or unwilling to meet the helicopter payload rules risk unemployment if onsho…: Staff unable or unwilling to meet the helicopter payload rules risk unemployment if onshore roles cannot be secured.
The RMT union opposes the rollout, citing minimal workforce consultation and the unfair e…: The RMT union opposes the rollout, citing minimal workforce consultation and the unfair exclusion of skilled staff.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
- Published
Hundreds of offshore workers have been using weight-loss jabs to help meet maximum weight rules for helicopter flights due to come into force next week.
From Sunday, anyone weighing more than 19st 7Ib (124kg) in civilian clothing and footwear will be banned from taking a flight to an offshore platform covered by UK safety regulations.
When the new rules were announced last year, about 2,200 workers were over the limit but that figure has now fallen to fewer than 250, according to Offshore Energies UK (OEUK).
The industry body told BBC Scotland News that on one platform, 60% of staff had been taking weight-loss drugs and extra fridge space had been provided to keep the medications cool.
The average weight of offshore workers has risen over recent decades, and increased by almost 1st 7Ib (10kg) since 2008.
The new weight limit policy came after the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) warned that rescue winches - which are critical during offshore emergencies - cannot safely lift heavier people.
The figure was decided upon after factoring in the weight of…
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