Hundreds of North Sea workers may face job termination due to new weight restrictions mandated for helicopter safety. The regulations require offshore workers to weigh no more than 19.5 stone (approximately 273 pounds) fully clothed to ensure they can be safely winched in emergency situations.
Will Rollinson, an employment specialist at law firm Brodies, stated that employers are aware of the necessary steps to support staff affected by these new rules. Before dismissing an employee due to weight, companies must consider the worker's efforts to meet the limit, the reasons for not succeeding, and what further assistance can be provided.
Rollinson suggested that exploring alternative roles for affected employees, rather than requiring them to work offshore, could be a viable solution. However, he acknowledged that if an offshore worker is unable to reach the safe weight limit after the employer has followed a formal process, job termination might become a possibility. Some operators may have more capacity to offer alternative positions than others.
There remains a two-month window for both companies and employees to address these new requirements. Affected workers are encouraged to engage with their employers to understand the available options and support mechanisms.
