Hundreds of offshore workers have been using weight-loss jabs to help meet new maximum weight rules for helicopter flights to offshore platforms covered by UK safety regulations, with the industry body reporting that on one platform 60% of staff had been taking the medications.
The rules, which take effect from Sunday, ban anyone weighing more than 19st 7lb (124kg) in civilian clothing and footwear from taking a flight to an offshore platform covered by UK safety regulations. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency warned that rescue winches cannot safely lift heavier people.
According to Offshore Energies UK (OEUK), about 2,200 workers were over the limit when the policy was announced last year, but that figure has fallen to fewer than 250. The average weight of offshore workers has risen by almost 1st 7lb (10kg) since 2008.
OEUK health and safety manager Graham Skinner said many workers had chosen to use weight-loss jabs. "Last year we saw in some cases 60% of workers turning up with weight-loss jabs," he told BBC Scotland News. "That's brought our average weight down in a very short space of time. I think that's very common in society and it can potentially be a really useful tool."
Skinner said measures also included gym equipment and healthier food. He said staff initially appeared to be funding the jabs themselves, though he thought some firms might now be helping with the costs.
The RMT union claimed there had been a lack of consultation and that the rules could lead to experienced staff being excluded. An occupational health expert said earlier that some clients were “really stressed” by the rules, while others had chosen to leave the industry.
Companies could offer staff alternative onshore roles, but Skinner warned: “If somebody has chosen not to lose weight then there's a real possibility they could lose their job.” Workers will be asked to declare whether they are under the weight limit, and this will be checked at the heliport.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- New safety rules directly affect the employment and health of hundreds of offshore workers.
- The use of weight-loss jabs, often self-funded, raises questions about access to such medications in the workplace.
- The policy may set a precedent for other industries with similar weight restrictions.
Background
The new helicopter weight limit was driven by concerns over the lifting capacity of rescue winches on search and rescue helicopters, which cannot safely hoist heavier individuals during emergencies. The regulations apply to offshore platforms covered by UK safety rules. The average weight of offshore workers has increased substantially since 2008.
Key Perspectives
- Offshore Energies UK (OEUK): says the rules are necessary for safety and that weight-loss jabs have been an effective tool for workers to comply, with most now meeting the limit.
- RMT union: claims there was insufficient consultation and that the policy risks forcing experienced staff out of offshore operations.
- Occupational health expert: reported that some workers have found the new rules stressful and have chosen to leave the industry.
What to Watch
- Whether the number of workers over the weight limit continues to fall further.
- Potential legal or industrial action from unions if workers face job loss.
- Possible expansion of similar weight restrictions to other safety-critical transport sectors.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe headline says offshore workers are turning to weight-loss jabs to meet helicopter weight rules.BBC Scotland: “Hundreds of offshore workers have been using weight-loss jabs to help meet maximum weight rules for helicopter flights due to come into force next week.”
- SupportedOEUK says the number of workers over the limit fell from about 2,200 to fewer than 250 as the rules approach.BBC Scotland: “When the new rules were announced last year, about 2,200 workers were over the limit but that figure has now fallen to fewer than 250, according to Offshore Energies UK (OEUK).”
- SupportedHundreds of offshore workers have been using weight-loss jabs to help meet the new flight limits.BBC Scotland: “Hundreds of offshore workers have been using weight-loss jabs to help meet maximum weight rules for helicopter flights due to come into force next week.”
- SupportedOn one platform, 60% of staff had been taking weight-loss medications.BBC Scotland: “The industry body told BBC Scotland News that on one platform, 60% of staff had been taking weight-loss drugs”
- SupportedFrom Sunday, people weighing more than 19st 7lb (124kg) in civilian clothing and footwear will be barred from flights to covered offshore platforms.BBC Scotland: “From Sunday, anyone weighing more than 19st 7Ib (124kg) in civilian clothing and footwear will be banned from taking a flight to an offshore platform covered by UK safety regulations.”
- SupportedThe Maritime and Coastguard Agency warned that rescue winches cannot safely lift heavier people.BBC Scotland: “The new weight limit policy came after the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) warned that rescue winches - which are critical during offshore emergencies - cannot safely lift heavier people.”
- SupportedThe average weight of offshore workers has risen by almost 1st 7lb (10kg) since 2008.BBC Scotland: “The average weight of offshore workers has risen over recent decades, and increased by almost 1st 7Ib (10kg) since 2008.”
- SupportedSkinner said, “Last year we saw in some cases 60% of workers turning up with weight-loss jabs.”BBC Scotland: “"What we know is that offshore workers are using weight-loss jabs regardless of the policies. Last year we saw in some cases 60% of workers turning up with weight-loss jabs," he told BBC Scotland News.”
- Partly supportedSkinner said, “That's brought our average weight down in a very short space of time. I think that's very common in society and it can potentially be a really useful tool.”BBC Scotland: “"That's brought our average weight down in a very short space of time. I think that's very common in society and it can potentially be a really useful tool if somebody's got a lot of weight to lose it can get them in a good place."”
- SupportedThe RMT union said there had been a lack of consultation and the rules could exclude experienced staff from offshore operations.BBC Scotland: “The weight-limit policy has been criticised by the RMT union, external which claimed there had been a lack of consultation, and that it could lead to experienced staff being excluded from offshore operations.”
- SupportedAn occupational health expert said some clients were “really stressed” by the rules and others had chosen to leave the industry.BBC Scotland: “Earlier this year, BBC Scotland spoke to one occupational health expert in Aberdeen who said some clients were "really stressed" by the new rules while others had chosen to leave the industry.”
- SupportedSkinner warned that someone who chose not to lose weight could lose their job.BBC Scotland: “"If somebody has chosen not to lose weight then there's a real possibility they could lose their job."”