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North Sea Workers Face Weight Deadline
3 Sep
Summary
- Hundreds of workers exceed new 124.7kg helicopter weight limit.
- New rules take effect November 1, impacting offshore travel.
- Some workers left industry to avoid weight loss requirements.
As of September 3, 2026, hundreds of North Sea workers are still exceeding the new 124.7kg weight limit for offshore helicopter travel, with the mandatory implementation date of November 1, 2026, fast approaching. Industry body Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) estimates that between 500 and 800 workers still need to lose weight to comply with the regulations.
The new safe weight limit policy was introduced after the Maritime and Coastguard Agency warned that rescue winches, critical for emergency situations, cannot safely lift heavier individuals. The maximum winch load, including the rescue worker and equipment, is 249kg.
Concerns have been raised about potential job losses, with some occupational health experts noting that a small number of workers have opted to leave the offshore industry rather than meet the weight requirements. However, employment law specialists suggest that companies could explore alternative onshore roles for affected staff.
OEUK reported that the average weight of offshore workers has increased by nearly 10kg since 2008. While updated figures show a decrease in the percentage of overweight workers from an estimated 4.7% in 2022 to about 3.4% based on recent travel records, a significant number still remain above the limit. The industry is working to maintain this downward trend before the November deadline.
