Hundreds of North Sea workers could lose their jobs if they remain above the new 124kg helicopter weight limit when the policy takes effect in November, according to industry body Offshore Energies UK (OEUK).
The new guidelines, introduced on safety grounds, mean all offshore workers must weigh less than 124kg to fly. The limit is set as the maximum weight for winching a person from a platform into a helicopter during an emergency evacuation.
Weight reduction progress
Since announcing the policy in 2025, OEUK says it has helped operators identify and implement measures to slim down their offshore workforces. The number of workers over the 124kg limit has dropped from around 2,200 in early 2025 to 840 earlier this year.
OEUK says it is "delighted" so many have achieved the weight loss. However, an estimated 241-300 workers are projected to still be above the limit when the policy comes into effect, meaning they could face losing their jobs.
Safety rationale and concerns
Health and safety leader Graham Skinner said it is possible some of these people no longer work offshore in the UK, or they will be moved to onshore roles by their employers. "We are hoping that the vast majority of workers will have found a way through this," he said on Thursday.
"But the reality is also that if somebody has chosen not to lose weight (or) doesn't particularly want to comply with the policy for any reason, then there will be a route out of employment as well. Ultimately, it's a safety policy, and it is related to capability. If somebody cannot mobilise for their work because they're over the weight limit, then they will not be able to work. In the worst cases, that would mean somebody will lose their job."
In the past, the industry made changes to safety equipment to compensate for the growing waistlines of offshore workers. This included making lifeboats larger and more robust, and ensuring larger workers were seated next to the largest windows when travelling on helicopters.
However, Mr Skinner said this was a case of only "addressing certain symptoms" of the problem, and the industry had needed to find a solution. He explained that while the 124kg limit is based on helicopter winches, capping the weight of workers will benefit "all aspects" of life-saving equipment on offshore platforms.
Union opposition and worker response
The policy has met with some pushback, with the RMT union saying it is concerned it could provide employers with a "convenient mechanism" to sack workers without proper redundancy procedures or financial compensation. RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: "Nobody disputes that safety must be the overriding priority when working offshore. However, safety policies must be proportionate, evidence-based and developed through meaningful consultation with the workers they affect. RMT is calling on OEUK to withdraw the policy and engage in meaningful consultation with trade unions to establish a fair, proportionate and evidence-based approach to offshore safety."
Many workers have already lost weight to be under the new limit. Dan Shilling, 39, lost almost 11 stone in what was described as an "unbelievable" transformation. The Shetland worker was previously 26-stone and was regularly told he could not board a helicopter at work because of weight limits. Dan, an offshore electrical technician, said he has always been "overweight", but during the Covid-19 pandemic he reached his heaviest, 26st 1lbs. The dad-of-two signed up to the Man v Fat sessions at his local football club and, since January 2024, lost 10st 9lbs, dropping in size from 4XL to XL and losing 10 inches from his waist.
Mr Skinner also said the weight limit could reduce the risk of medical evacuations for health-related reasons – including things like heart attacks and strokes – which in 2025 accounted for 78% of all medivacs. He said those with the most weight to lose have had the "greatest concerns" about the policy since its announcement last year.
