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Thousands of oil workers will be deemed to heavy to work under controversial new health and safety rules Click here to visit the Scotland home page for the latest news and sport By CAITLIN LENG FOR THE SCOTTISH DAILY MAIL Published: 19:19 GMT, 6 November 2025 | Updated: 19:19 GMT, 6 November 2025 Thousands of North Sea oil workers will be deemed too heavy to work offshore under new regulations planned for next year. New guidance from industry body Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) means that from November 1, 2026, anyone weighing more than 19.5 stone (124kg) - including their work gear - will be banned from working offshore. At present, the rule would affect around 2,227 offshore workers recorded as weighing over the limit in 2024. The controversial regulation is designed to tackle safety risks during emergency evacuations, helicopter transfers and sea rescues, following warnings from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) about the limits of Search and Rescue (SAR) winching systems, which are only certified to lift individuals below that threshold. Under the new system, anyone exceeding 19.5 stone will lose their OEUK medical certificate, effectively grounding them from offshore duties, and those weighing between 18 and 19.5 stone (115–124kg) will be issued with restricted certificates, valid for only three or six months. Graham Skinner, OEUK’s Health and Safety Manager, defended the decision, saying: ‘We are committed to ensuring all offshore teams have the information and resources they need to work safely. New regulations will see thousands of offshore workers deemed too heavy to work The new rules could result in job losses and shortages, according to union bosses ‘These new materials, developed in consultation with industry partners and HM Coastguard, underline our focus on creating a robust safety culture across the sector.’ However, union leaders criticised the decision, warning they won’t tolerate any company that uses ‘health and safety language’ as a smokescreen to quietly get rid of workers. Ann Joss, the RMT union’s Scottish Organiser for Offshore Workers, said the new weight limits present both ‘opportunities and challenges’ for staff. From next November, any offshore worker weighing more than 19.5 stones will be deemed too heavy to work She said: ‘On one hand, improved weight standards can enhance safety by ensuring lifeboats, helicopters and survival equipment are used within proper testing limits, making emergency responses more predictable and effective. ‘However, there are real concerns about how these rules are being applied and many offshore workers believe this policy is less about safety and more about cost-cutting - a backdoor way to shed skilled staff. ‘RMT will vigorously oppose any moves by any company that hides behind health and safety language to quietly get rid of workers on the cheap.’ To facilitate the new regulations, OEUK are conducting stakeholder engagement workshops to outline the forthcoming changes and has developed a comprehensive suite of resources to inform and support offshore personnel. This includes a workforce video scheduled for release soon, and throughout 2026, a transition phase for affected employees, providing medical guidance, promoting engagement with the workforce, and offering advice on healthy eating and weight management programmes. Share or comment on this article: Thousands of oil workers will be deemed to heavy to work under controversial new health and safety rules Add comment
