OEUK 2025: Obesity, BMI and the New 124 kg Weight Limit — What Offshore Workers Need to Know
The OEUK Medical Guidelines – Issue 8 (2025), in force since 1 November 2025, introduce a new safety threshold: a maximum dressed weight of 124 kilograms for offshore personnel.
This limit is part of a wider policy on obesity, combining medical, technical and safety consideratio This article explains what the new rules mean for offshore workers, examining doctors and employers.
The 124 kg threshold is not a cosmetic measure, nor is it discriminatory. It is a safety standard.
Helicopter seats, lifejackets and survival suits are certified for specific sizes and load ranges. The new limit ensures that every worker can use this equipment safely during an emergency — without additional risk during evacuation or transport.
Alongside this operational limit, OEUK Issue 8 also provides detailed guidance on obesity and its medical assessment. The focus is on careful screening, reducing health risks and ensuring that workers remain physically fit for offshore duties.
Phased Implementation
The implementation of the weight policy consists of three stages:
1. Information Phase (1 November 2025 – 31 January 2026)
In this first phase, offshore workers are informed about the new policy.
Medical examiners advise workers with a fully-clothed weight above 110 kg about the upcoming limit, but certificates are not yet affected.
2. Transition Phase (1 February 2026 – 31 October 2026)
2. Transition Phase (1 February 2026 – 31 October 2026)
Workers over 115 kg will receive a certificate with reduced validity.
For those weighing over 124 kg, the certificate may not remain valid after 31 October 2026.
The physician discusses this with the worker and records the restriction on the certificate.
3. Full Implementation (from 1 November 2026)
From this date onwards, the policy applies in full:
115–120 kg: certificate valid for up to 6 months
120–124 kg: certificate valid for up to 3 months
>124 kg: no certificate – >
Weight is measured as fully-clothed weight according to the Step Change in Safety standard (including standard clothing and safety footwear).
| Clothed weight | Maximum validity of the certificate | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| ≤ 110 kg | Up to 2 years | Standard validity |
| 110 - 114.9 kg | Up to 2 years (with explanation) | Employee is informed of the policy |
| 115 - 120 kg | Maximum 6 months | Reduced validity |
| 120.1 - 124 kg | Maximum 3 months | Further reduction in validity |
| > 124 kg | Not certifiable | Offshore work not allowed |
The examining physician records the weight, informs the worker about the policy and includes an annotation when certificate validity is shortened for this reason.
Obesity and Medical Fitness
The guideline distinguishes between BMI categories and prescribes specific medical measures for each class:
BMI 30–34.9 (Obesity Class 1)
Lifestyle advice and prevention of further weight gain.
The physician discusses future health risks and gives guidance on nutrition, exercise and monitoring.
BMI 35–39.9 (Obesity Class 2)
Increased risk of comorbidities.
Targeted lifestyle advice and discussion of potential implications for offshore fitness.
BMI 40–44.9 (Obesity Class 3)
At BMI ≥ 40, additional medical assessment is mandatory.
The physician:
requests laboratory tests (HbA1c and cholesterol ratio)
carries out a 6-minute walk test to assess self-evacuation capability
limits the certificate validity to a maximum of 3 months (or 6 months if measurable improvement is demonstrated)
A standard certificate is not permitted; the physician must record restrictions and refer the worker to their GP for further screening.
BMI ≥ 45 (Severe Obesity)
- A standard certificate may not be issued.
The physician consults the Operator Medical Adviser (OMA) and may only issue a conditional certificate — with restrictions, for example exclusion from Normally Unmanned Installations or physically demanding tasks.
Employer responsibilities
Under OEUK Issue 8 (2025), employers and crewing departments must ensure that only personnel with a valid OEUK certificate are deployed offshore. This now explicitly includes compliance with the 124 kg weight limit.
Workers who exceed this limit (fully-clothed weight) cannot be approved for offshore work and must not be sent to installations in the UK sector.
Employers must therefore verify the validity and expiry date of each worker’s OEUK certificate before mobilisation.
When a certificate has reduced validity due to weight (between 115 and 124 kg), this must be taken into account in mobilisation planning.
Anyone who has not received a certificate — or whose certificate has expired due to exceeding the weight limit — may not return offshore until a new valid certificate is issued.
Policy compliance lies with the employer, while the medical assessment and certification remain the responsibility of the OEUK-registered examining physician.
For employees
For offshore workers, the new guideline means that weight and BMI play a more significant role during the medical assessment. Weight is always measured fully clothed, including safety footwear, to reliably establish the fully-clothed weight.
Workers weighing between 115 and 124 kilograms will generally receive a certificate with shortened validity of three to six months.
This allows time to work on fitness or weight management before renewal.
Above 124 kilograms, no certificate may be issued for offshore work in the UK sector.
At BMI ≥ 40, additional tests are mandatory, including blood tests for diabetes and cholesterol, and an exercise test to assess whether a worker can bring themselves to safety during an evacuation. From BMI ≥ 45, only a conditional certificate may be issued after consultation with the OMA.
In short: the policy provides clarity on what remains possible, offers room for improvement, but also sets a clear safety boundary.
At OmniHealth, we fully understand that weight management is not always easy. If you need support, reach out early — for example through our weight-reduction programme.
Summary
The 124 kg weight limit and updated obesity guidance strengthen safety in offshore environments.
The policy combines technical safety requirements with medical responsibility.
Through regular monitoring, targeted support and clear boundaries, the balance between health, employability and safety is maintained.
All OEUK medicals at OmniHealth are performed according to Issue 8 (2025), including the weight policy, BMI screening and required additional assessments.
Need to renew your OEUK medical?
Do you need an OEUK medical examination under the current standard?
All OEUK medicals at OmniHealth are performed according to Issue 8 (2025), including the weight policy, BMI screening and required additional assessments.
Please contact us for more information or to schedule your OEUK medical examination.
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 medical, OmniHealth also offers a range of other medical examinations
OmniHealth: Your Trusted Partner in Protecting Your Health and Safety
Monday – Friday: 09.00 – 17.00
OmniHealth provides high-quality medical care and services focused on the maritime and offshore industries. With expert examinations, consultations and necessary vaccinations, we are here for you!
Schipluidenlaan 122,
1062 HE, Amsterdam