Deputy Editor, Daily Dawn, Dawn TV Report
London: Offshore workers working on oil wells in the North Sea have been warned that if they do not lose weight, they will no longer be eligible to go on offshore platforms, which could put their jobs at risk.
British company Offshore Energies has announced that, from November 2026, each worker going on offshore oil platforms will have to weigh no more than 124.7 kg (including clothes) so they can be safely rescued by helicopter in an emergency.
According to the British Coast Guard, the winch installed on the rescue helicopter can lift up to 249 kg, which includes a rescue worker (90.3 kg), a stretcher (29 kg), and rescue equipment (5 kg).
According to the company, there are currently more than 2,200 workers who are over the prescribed weight limit. If they do not lose weight, they could be dismissed from their jobs.
The policy was introduced after a warning issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, which stated that rescue machinery cannot safely lift heavy weights, which could lead to accidents during an emergency rescue.
According to British media, the average weight of offshore workers has increased by 10 kilograms since 2008.
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