Offshore employers are being urged to identify and support workers who could be affected by new industry weight restrictions, with less than two months remaining before mandatory implementation.
October is the last full month for workers and employers to prepare before a mandatory 124kg clothed weight limit comes into force on November 1.
From that date, anyone exceeding the limit will not be permitted to travel offshore, potentially affecting their ability to work.
Aberdeen occupational health specialist International Medical Management (IMM) is encouraging companies to act now rather than wait until an employee’s next medical or mobilisation.
Dr Louise Slaney, Medical Director at IMM, said:
“Although November may still seem some way off, employers now have only a relatively short window in which to identify potentially affected workers and put appropriate support in place.
“Waiting until October, an employee’s next offshore medical or the point of mobilisation could leave too little time for weight reduction to be achieved safely and sustainably.
“From November 1, someone arriving at the heliport weighing more than 124kg fully clothed will not be able to travel offshore. For the individual, that could mean being unable to go to work; for the employer, it could create an unexpected gap in the crew at the point of mobilisation.”
The restriction applies to outbound offshore flights. Workers travelling back to shore are not subject to the weight restriction.
With more than 20 years’ experience, IMM’s services include providing offshore medics, occupational health medicals, health surveillance, drug and alcohol testing, occupational hygiene, travel health and vaccinations, counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy. IMM also provides a doctor-led medical weight management service, offering clinical assessment and ongoing support for sustainable weight loss.
