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North Sea firms install fridges for weight-loss jabs as hundreds of workers face losing jobs under a new weight limit

A North Sea oil and gas rig; some workers above the 124kg limit have turned to weight-loss injections in an effort to meet Sunday's deadline.
A North Sea oil and gas rig; some workers above the 124kg limit have turned to weight-loss injections in an effort to meet Sunday's deadline.

From Sunday, any North Sea worker whose clothed weight exceeds 19st 7lb (124kg) will be barred from boarding offshore helicopters — a safety rule introduced because rescue winches cannot reliably lift heavier loads during platform evacuations. Graham Skinner of Offshore Energies UK said the number of workers above the threshold has dropped sharply, from roughly 2,200 at the start of 2025 to below 250, with many employees paying for weight-loss injections out of their own pockets.

On one platform alone, 60% of staff turned up carrying weight-loss drugs including Ozempic and Mounjaro, leading companies to install dedicated fridges to store them.

Between 241 and 300 workers are still expected to remain above the limit when Sunday arrives, putting them at risk of redundancy or a move to onshore roles.

Skinner was unambiguous: 'If somebody has chosen not to lose weight, there will be a route out of employment.'

MoreDaily Mail News'Ozempic rigs': Offshore firms install extra fridges for slimming jabs as workers face losing jobs under strict new weight limitThe IndependentOverweight offshore workers turn to weight loss jabs to avoid losing their jobs under new rulesBBC News - ScotlandOffshore workers turn to weight-loss jabs to meet helicopter weight rulesLBCOverweight offshore workers could lose job under new rules, industry body warnsDaily RecordNorth Sea workers 'too heavy' for new helicopter rules warned they could lose jobsThe Scottish SunScots offshore workers using fat jabs as many could lose jobs under new weight rule
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