We’ve been working on the implementation of the OEUK Safe Weight Limit Policy since late last year.

OEUK states that average body weights have steadily increased in the past 60 years, with over a third of offshore workers now weighing more than 100kg and nearly 5% above 125kg. They note that ‘this poses serious challenges for lifeboat evacuation, helicopter rescue and safe handling in emergency situations’, with search and rescue helicopters using winches certified to a maximum lift capacity of 124.7kg for patients.

Consequently, from 1st November 2026, the clothed weight limit for offshore workers will be 124kg and anyone exceeding this cannot travel offshore. This will apply to all installations operating under accepted Safety Cases defined in the Offshore Installations Safety Directive Regulations 2015.

The policy is being introduced in three phases:

• November 2025 to January 2026 – Introduction and awareness

• February 2026 to October 2026 – Transition

• 1st November 2026 – Mandatory compliance

At ESS, we’ve mirrored these timelines to prepare our people and our clients for the change.

Working offshore brings unique challenges as our own employees and those we serve undertake demanding roles while spending long periods away from family and friends. As a foodservice and FM provider, enhancing colleague and customer health and wellbeing is already a key part of what we do, and we’re ideally placed to support the industry with implementing the new policy.

We’ve delivered a suite of resources to help those impacted achieve the safe weight required for them to keep working offshore, while empowering the whole offshore community to improve their overall wellbeing through a variety of diet and lifestyle measures.

We’re working closely with OEUK, industry bodies including Step Change in Safety and the recognised trade unions to ensure a smooth transition to compliance with this important safety policy.