Hundreds of North Sea workers remain above a new safe weight limit for offshore helicopter travel less than two months before the rules come into force.
From November, workers must weigh no more than 124.7kg (19.5st) in their clothing and footwear to ensure they can be safely winched to safety during an emergency.
When the policy was announced by Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) last year, more than 2,200 workers were estimated to be above the threshold, but new figures released by the BBC suggest that number has fallen to as many as 800.
The new data, based on more than 35,000 offshore traveller records collected between April and August, shows around 3.4% of workers remain above 124kg, compared with an estimated 4.7% in 2022.
The policy was introduced after the Maritime and Coastguard Agency warned that rescue winches, which are critical during offshore emergencies, cannot safely lift heavier people.
OEUK said the average weight of offshore workers has increased by almost 10kg since 2008 and is working to maintain the recent downward trend.
The mandatory safe weight limit will come into force on November 1, with concerns that some workers who remain above the threshold could lose their offshore roles.
Source: Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce
