Hundreds of North Sea offshore workers risk being barred from helicopter travel to rigs from 1 November, when a new maximum weight limit of 19.5 stone (124kg), including clothing and footwear, comes into force. Industry body Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) says the rule is designed to ensure workers can be safely winched to safety in an emergency, but warns it could cost jobs, with some staff already quitting rather than lose weight. The change follows a Maritime and Coastguard Agency warning that rescue winches cannot safely lift heavier individuals.

OEUK estimates between 500 and 800 workers remain above the new limit, though this marks a sharp fall from the more than 2,200 who were overweight when the rules were first announced last year. The Coastguard's rescue winch has a maximum lift capacity of 39 stone, which must account for the worker, an average 14-stone rescue crew member, a stretcher and equipment. OEUK noted average offshore worker weight has risen by almost 1.5 stone since 2008, while an Aberdeen occupational health physician said most affected staff were working to lose weight, though a minority had chosen to leave their jobs instead.