Business physique Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) introduced, in an announcement despatched to Rigzone lately, that “sensible options for more healthy existence and assist for managing weight reduction” will likely be shared by the group as a part of its marketing campaign to lift consciousness of a brand new security coverage for folks working offshore.
That new security initiative is named the Secure Weight Restrict Coverage and comes into impact in November 2026, the assertion highlighted. Within the assertion, OEUK described the coverage as “an industry-wide initiative that has been developed following intensive engagement between OEUK, HM Coastguard, helicopter operators, and member corporations”.
“It addresses the rise within the weight of offshore staff – a development additionally seen throughout the UK inhabitants – which has related challenges for evacuation, rescue, and medical response offshore,” OEUK stated within the assertion.
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In line with an explainer web page on the Secure Weight Restrict Coverage on OEUK’s web site, the clothed weight restrict for offshore staff below the coverage is 124kg, together with a 0.7kg margin. Clothed weight refers to an individual’s weight whereas wearing accordance with the {industry} journey clothes coverage for the related season, the web page notes.
The web page outlines that the restrict “ensures each particular person will be safely evacuated or rescued, significantly by search and rescue (SAR) helicopter winch”.
“The mixed load of the winchman, stretcher, and tools leaves a most capability of 124.7kg for a affected person. Anybody above this weight can’t be assured rescue by SAR helicopter,” the web page highlights.
The coverage applies to all offshore installations working below accepted Security Circumstances as outlined within the Offshore Installations (Offshore Security Directive) (Security Case and so on.) Rules 2015 and doesn’t apply to marine vessels, that are ruled by completely different laws, the web page reveals. It additionally applies solely to outbound (offshore) flights, in response to the web page, which factors out that there are not any weight restrictions for return flights to shore.
OEUK’s web page outlines that the implementation part for the coverage will are available three phases. From November 1, 2025, to January 31, 2026, is the introduction and consciousness part, from February 1 to October 31, 2026, is the transition part, and from November 1, 2026, is the obligatory compliance part, below which staff over 124kg can’t journey offshore, the web page reveals.
“Throughout the transition part, OEUK medical experts will problem reduced-duration certificates for people close to or above 124kg. After 1 Nov, 2026, no certificates will likely be issued to anybody exceeding 124kg,” the pages states.
A video hosted on OEUK’s explainer web page highlighted that the offshore {industry} is “collectively introducing” the burden restrict “after intensive session with {industry} specialists, unions, and regulators”. OEUK notes on the web page that it’ll proceed to evaluate the coverage based mostly on operational expertise, authorized developments, and stakeholder suggestions.
On its explainer web page, OEUK says it estimates round 5,000 offshore staff could also be affected to various levels. Most are anticipated to satisfy the restrict by way of gradual weight discount, the web page provides.
“We’re dedicated to making sure that within the run-up to implementing the adjustments subsequent November, folks have the assist and knowledge they should adjust to the brand new coverage,” Graham Skinner, OEUK’s Well being and Security Supervisor, stated within the OEUK assertion.
“As a part of a year-long and phased method, we’re encouraging employers to take part in OEUK’s on-line Sustainable Weight Administration Showcase on December 9, which brings collectively main well being and health suppliers to share sensible options for more healthy existence,” he added.
“It is a nice option to discover what assist is obtainable to their workforce, guaranteeing that everybody has entry to assets that assist them obtain compliance and lasting well being enhancements,” he continued.
Skinner famous in its assertion that the occasion incorporates a various vary of packages, “from grassroots health initiatives like Fats Fives Soccer and MAN vs FAT, to scientific and medicated weight-loss methods equivalent to Bodyline Medical Weight Loss and TAC Healthcare’s multi-disciplinary method”.
“We encourage members to study modern instruments like Healthoutfit’s Fit2Fly precision 3D physique scanning in addition to discovering out about non-judgmental assist, which helps to empower each employers and staff to attain sustainable outcomes,” he stated.
Georgina Howden, Wellness & Life-style Supervisor at Healthoutfit, an OEUK member firm, stated within the assertion, “with 25 years of office wellness expertise, we all know sustainable change requires time, correct measurement, and dignity”.
“Our six-week offshore pilot achieved excellent outcomes as a result of members felt supported, not judged. By integrating 3D physique scanning expertise into our Fit2Fly program, we monitor actual physique composition adjustments, not simply scale weight,” Howden added.
Louise Martin, CEO & Founder, RigRun Ltd, one other OEUK member firm, stated within the assertion, “folks working offshore already face distinctive pressures, together with environments at distant areas the place meals play a giant half in sustaining morale”.
“Any method to weight administration must be constructive and supportive, guaranteeing offshore staff don’t really feel additional restricted of their selections,” Martin added.
“RigRun focuses on creating engaged offshore communities the place small wins are celebrated, confidence grows, and crews can take pleasure in adopting more healthy existence in a method that feels encouraging relatively than limiting,” Martin continued.
In an announcement posted on its web site again in October, OEUK stated the choice to implement a secure weight restrict for offshore staff follows intensive evaluate by {industry} specialists over the previous two and a half years, “throughout which all potential alternate options to a weight restriction have been totally investigated”.
“As no sensible options have been recognized, the 124kg restrict will likely be carried out from 1 November 2026,” OEUK added in that assertion.
To contact the creator, e mail andreas.exarheas@rigzone.com
