Offshore workers could lose job if they don't shed weight

THOUSANDS of offshore workers are at risk of losing their jobs because of their weight due to new legislation.

- BY KATRINE BUSSEY

Trade body Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) is bringing in guidelines from next November which will require all those working offshore to weigh under 124kg (19¼st) to ensure people can be winched off platforms by helicopter, if needed, in an emergency.

Graham Skinner, health and safety manager at OEUK, said the organisation will be “working really hard” over the next 12 months to ensure affected workers can lose weight.

There are about 2,500 employed offshore above the limit and “who will definitely have to lose weight”.