The 2025 Medical Fitness for Offshore Work Guidance has just been published and lays out the standards that all offshore workers must meet.
The major item that both our clients and their offshore staff and contractors will have to comply with is the new weight limit.
๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ถ๐ป๐๐:
โ From 1 November 2026: no offshore medical certificate will be issued if a workerโs clothed weight (including PPE) exceeds 124kg. Transition period (Feb-Oct 2026):
โ Workers between 115kg and 120kg may receive shorter-duration certificates (up to 6 months)
โ Workers between 120.1kg and 124kg may receive shorter-duration certificates (up to 3 months)
โ Certificates for those over 124kg will not be extended beyond 31 October 2026
โ Awareness period (Nov 2025 โ Jan 2026): Workers >110kg will be informed of the changes, but certificates will continue as normal
๐๐ป๐ฑ๐๐๐๐ฟ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ ๐๐น๐ผ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฃ๐ผ๐น๐ถ๐ฐ๐:
At the time of the medical, weight will be measured including standard offshore clothing and footwear in line with the agreed industry policy.
Summer clothing set: coveralls + base layer + boots
Winter clothing set: coveralls + base layer + thermal mid-layer + boots
This ensures a consistent approach across the sector and reflects the weight workers would carry in normal operational conditions.
๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ป๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฝ๐น๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐
โ Plan ahead for workers approaching the weight threshold
โ Encourage early engagement with occupational health for support
โ Ensure workforce planning accounts for certification limits from November 2026
๐๐ผ๐ HAWKES HEALTH ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ต๐ฒ๐น๐ฝ
We have developed a range of initiatives and support plans to assist employers in managing these changes.
If you require further information on how this may affect workforce planning ย contact Ellie: ohteam@hawkeshealth.com