The UK offshore energy industry is introducing a new industry-wide Safe Weight Limit Policy that sets a clothed weight cap of 124 kg for personnel travelling offshore.
The policy, developed by Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) in collaboration with HM Coastguard, helicopter operators and duty-holders, is designed to ensure all offshore workers can be safely evacuated or rescued in an emergency.
The limit applies to all UK offshore installations operating under accepted Safety Cases, and includes a 0.7 kg margin to the 124 kg threshold. ‘Clothed weight’ is defined as a person’s weight while dressed in accordance with the industry travel clothing policy (including shoes) for the relevant season.
The move follows hazard-identification work showing that rescue helicopter winch systems certified under the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and used by the Coastguard have a maximum capacity for a casualty of around 124.7 kg once the winchman, stretcher and kit are included.
OEUK has set a phased implementation timeline:
Introduction & Awareness phase: 1 Nov 2025 – 31 Jan 2026
Transition phase: 1 Feb 2026 – 31 Oct 2026
Mandatory compliance: from 1 Nov 2026 when no person weighing more than 124 kg (clothed) will be permitted to travel offshore.
OEUK estimates that around 5,000 offshore workers may be impacted by the change, with some additional onshore personnel who travel offshore occasionally also at risk.
The decision has followed more than two and a half years of review, during which no practicable alternative to a weight restriction was identified.
Employers are being encouraged to start engaging with their workforce now, providing access to weight-management and wellbeing programmes, and to review mobilisation and medical certification procedures. Under the policy, during the transition phase medical examiners may issue restricted certificates (shorter validity) to workers near the threshold; after 1 Nov 2026 any worker exceeding 124 kg will not be issued a valid certificate and will be barred from offshore travel.
Graham Skinner, OEUK’s Health & Safety Manager, is reported to have said: “We are committed to ensuring all offshore teams have the information and resources they need to work safely. These new materials, developed in consultation with industry partners and HM Coastguard, underline our focus on creating a robust safety culture across the sector.”
The policy focuses specifically on offshore installations under the Safety Case regime and does not apply to marine vessels, which are subject to separate regulations.
Operators are advised to review their equipment, evacuation plans and mobilisation procedures ahead of the deadline.
