OEUK 2025; ERT Physical Fitness and Safety Risk Assessment
Under the OEUK Medical Guidelines – Issue 8 (2025), all personnel who are part of the Emergency Response Team (ERT) must undergo a specific medical assessment. The OEUK ERT medical 2025 assesses whether emergency team members are physically fit for offshore response duties.
This consists of two components: the Chester Step Test and the Safety Risk Assessment (SRA).
Together, these assessments determine whether a person is physically fit and medically suitable to perform ERT duties safely during offshore emergencies.
The Chester Step test
For the OEUK ERT medical the Chester Step Test remains the standard OEUK method for assessing aerobic fitness. It provides a reliable estimate of VO₂max and indicates whether a person can safely sustain the physical demands of ERT tasks such as firefighting, rescue operations and working with breathing apparatus.
The minimum requirements are as follows: men must achieve a VO₂max of at least 35 ml O₂/kg/min, and women at least 33 ml O₂/kg/min.
Results are recorded on the ERT certificate and reviewed by the OEUK-registered examining doctor.
The Safety Risk Assesment (SRA)
The SRA evaluates the risk of a medical incident occurring during ERT duties.
While the Chester Step Test measures physical performance, the SRA considers lifestyle and medical factors that may influence safety in an emergency.
The assessment takes into account factors such as physical activity level, recent smoking or nicotine use, and medical indicators including high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol or obesity (BMI ≥ 30).
The A-D grading system
Each risk factor counts as one point.
Based on the total, the medical examiner assigns a grade:
A (0 factors): Low risk – suitable for all ERT duties
B (1 factor): Mild risk – fit for most ERT roles
C (2 factors): Moderate risk – advised to limit physically demanding tasks.
D (3 factors): High risk – avoid physically demanding ERT work
The scores applied
The SRA is not a pass/fail test but a practical tool to match people to the right roles. According to OEUK Issue 8 (2025), personnel with an A score are preferred for all ERT positions, while B-rated individuals may be assigned when A-rated staff are unavailable. Those with a C or D score should be allocated to less physically demanding tasks or replaced where possible.
This approach helps maintain a balanced relationship between medical fitness and operational safety within the team.
What this means for employer and teams
Employers should maintain an up-to-date overview of all ERT certificates and SRA scores, using this information to plan training schedules and crew assignments. Personnel with a C or D score should not be assigned to physically demanding duties such as firefighting or rescue operations involving breathing apparatus.
Encouraging a healthy lifestyle — quitting smoking, regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight — helps reduce risk factors and improve future scores.
The OEUK ERT medical at OmniHealth
At OmniHealth, the OEUK ERT medical is carried out in full accordance with the OEUK Medical Guidelines – Issue 8 (2025).
Each assessment includes a Chester Step Test with measured VO₂max, a Safety Risk Assessment with official A–D score, and an ERT certificate containing results and recommendations.
This ensures clear, standardised documentation of physical fitness and risk level for both employees and employers.
Results are provided directly to the employee and, where relevant, shared with the company’s safety department for planning and team coordination.
Book your OEUK ERT medical easily with OmniHealth – we’ll ensure your certification fully complies with the latest OEUK requirements.
Written by Sven Daam, ILT-, OEUK- and ElementNL-certified medical examiner specialising in maritime and offshore health assessments.
Safeguarding fitness for work
In addition to this OEUK ERT medical, OmniHealth also offers a range of other medical examinations.
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