GLOBAL – Thousands of offshore oil and gas workers in the UK's North Sea face potential job losses following the introduction of a mandatory weight limit by the industry's trade body, Offshore Energies UK (OEUK). The new policy, which will be strictly enforced from Friday, 1 November 2026, prohibits personnel with a clothed weight exceeding 124 kilograms from travelling to offshore installations. This measure, driven by critical safety concerns related to helicopter rescue capabilities, has significant implications for workforce health, employment rights, and sets a precedent that could influence safety protocols in developing oil regions like East Africa.

The policy was developed over two and a half years of consultation between OEUK, the UK's Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), helicopter operators, and member companies. The core issue is the certified load capacity of search and rescue (SAR) helicopter winches. Once the weight of the winch operator and rescue equipment is accounted for, the maximum capacity for a casualty is 124.7kg. OEUK has stated that any individual above this weight cannot be guaranteed a safe rescue in an emergency.

According to Graham Skinner, Health and Safety Manager at OEUK, the policy is a necessary response to a long-term trend. "Our population in general is getting heavier, and that is reflected in the offshore population," Skinner stated on Friday, 7 November 2025. He noted that while the industry had previously adapted by upgrading lifeboats and introducing special seating arrangements on helicopters for broader workers, a weight limit was determined to be the "only solution available." OEUK estimates that approximately 2,500 workers are currently above the 124kg limit, with an additional 2,500 requiring weight management support, bringing the total number of affected individuals to around 5,000.

Implementation and Worker Support

The rollout is phased to allow time for adaptation. An "Introduction & Awareness Phase" began on Friday, 1 November 2025, followed by a "Transition Phase" starting Saturday, 1 February 2026, during which affected workers are expected to take steps to reduce their weight. From the mandatory implementation date of 1 November 2026, any worker exceeding the 124kg limit will not be issued the required OEUK medical certificate and will be denied travel to offshore sites from the heliport. Workers weighing between 115kg and 124kg will be issued restricted medical certificates with shorter validity periods to encourage weight monitoring.

OEUK and its member companies have pledged to support affected employees through this transition. "Those people will be really supported by the offshore community and their employers during that time," Skinner affirmed, mentioning a "comprehensive plan" is in place. However, he also acknowledged that in the "very worst cases," job losses are a possibility for those who cannot meet the requirement. This has raised concerns among trade unions, who caution that the policy could be used as a cost-cutting measure to reduce headcount under the guise of safety. Ann Joss of the RMT union acknowledged the safety benefits but voiced fears that "this policy is less about safety and more about cost-cutting – a backdoor way to shed skilled staff."

Relevance for Kenya’s Energy Sector

While there is no confirmed data on the number of Kenyan nationals working in the North Sea, this policy serves as a vital benchmark for Kenya's own burgeoning oil and gas industry. As Kenya develops its resources, particularly in the Turkana Basin and potential offshore blocks, it faces the challenge of establishing a robust health and safety framework that aligns with international best practices. Currently, Kenya's regulatory landscape for the sector is fragmented across several agencies, including the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) and the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS), which can lead to uncoordinated oversight.

The OEUK policy underscores the critical importance of integrating specific, data-driven safety standards into operational protocols from the outset. For Kenya, this means developing clear regulations for everything from emergency response and medical evacuations to worker fitness standards, as envisioned in draft regulations like the Petroleum (Upstream and Midstream Environment, Health and Safety) Regulations, 2025. Adopting such international standards proactively can enhance worker safety, ensure operational integrity, and boost investor confidence by demonstrating a commitment to world-class safety culture. The North Sea precedent highlights that as an industry matures, demographic factors like workforce weight can directly impact the viability of established safety systems, a lesson Kenyan regulators and operators can incorporate into long-term planning.