Lose weight or lose your jobs, offshore workers told

"From November next year, industry body Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) said the maximum clothed weight for a worker heading offshore should be 124.7kg (19.5 st) - so they can be winched to safety in an emergency. The 249kg (39st) maximum Coastguard rescue helicopter winch load is made up of that figure plus the average 90.3kg (14st) weight of a rescue worker, a 29kg (4.5st) stretcher and the 5kg (0.8st) kit."

"Rules about shoulder size were previously introduced for workers travelling to and from offshore installations by helicopter. Phil Perry, 42, from Aberdeen, was 129kg (20st) at one stage - which would have been over the new limit. He is now 118kg (18.5), and his target weight is 110kg (17st). Mr Perry said the fear of losing his job was an added motivation to keep his weight down."

Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) will set a maximum clothed weight of 124.7kg for workers travelling offshore to ensure safe helicopter winch rescues. The Coastguard winch limit of 249kg includes rescuer weight, a stretcher and kit, and OEUK says more than 2,200 workers currently exceed the new limit. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency warned winches cannot safely lift heavier people. Average offshore worker weight has risen almost 10kg since 2008. The limit follows a two-and-a-half-year industry review. Previous rules addressed shoulder width for helicopter seating and escape.

Read at www.bbc.com