Offshore workers must lose weight or face losing their jobs under new safety measures

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"North Sea oil workers have been told they must lose weight if they want to keep flying offshore, or face losing their jobs. Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) said that from November next year, the maximum weight for a clothed worker should be 124.7kg, so they can be winched by a rescue helicopter in an emergency. A coastguard helicopter can carry a maximum of 249kg, but also has to account for the weight of the average rescue worker (90.3kg), their kit (5kg) and a stretcher (29kg)."

The Independent emphasizes funding to keep reporters deployed across key issues and to make journalism freely accessible without paywalls, funded by supporters who can afford it. Donations enable journalists to cover topics from reproductive rights to climate change and Big Tech and to present perspectives from both sides. Offshore Energies UK will set a 124.7kg maximum clothed weight for workers from November next year to ensure safe helicopter winching in emergencies. Coastguard helicopter payloads must accommodate crew, kit and a stretcher, and OEUK reported 2,277 workers exceeded the limit last year after a two-and-a-half-year review. Employers receive a year to support affected staff.

Read at www.independent.co.uk