Offshore Helicopter Travel: Is the U.K. Oil and Gas Industry Failing Workers?

In the United Kingdom, oil and gas workers have been transported by helicopter to their workplace at offshore installations for more than fifty years. During that time, there have been numerous fatal helicopter accidents. Despite calls from trade unions, families, and politicians, a public inquiry has never been held into offshore helicopter transport. The authors consider whether enough has been done to ensure the safety of these workers to meet legal and ethical standards. They analyze the legal position, the implementation of recommendations made in the wake of these accidents, and the way in which the power imbalance between oil and gas companies and helicopter operators influences safety in this area. They conclude that a public inquiry is required into helicopter safety in the U.K. Continental Shelf area.

Shape change and obesity prevalence among male UK offshore workers after 30 years: New insight from a 3D scanning study

OBJECTIVES

In 1984, male UK offshore workers had greater overweight and obesity prevalence and fat content than the general population. Since then, body weight has increased by 19%, but, without accompanying anthropometric measures, their size increase, current obesity, and fatness prevalence remain unknown. This study therefore aimed to acquire contemporary anthropometric data, profile changes since the original survey, and assess current obesity prevalence in the male offshore workforce.

METHODS

A total of 588 men, recruited via quota sampling to match the workforce weight profile, underwent stature, weight, and 3D photonic scanning measurements from which anatomical girths were extracted, enabling computation of body mass index (BMI), total fat, and visceral adipose tissue (VAT).

RESULTS

On average, UK male offshore workers are now 8.1 y older, 3.1 cm taller, 13.9 kg heavier, and have greater girths than in 1984, which are >97% attributable to increased weight, and <3% to age difference. Mean BMI increased significantly from 24.9 to 28.1 kg/m² and of the contemporary sample, 18% have healthy weight, 52% are overweight, and 30% obese, representing an increase in overweight and obesity prevalence by 6% and 24%, respectively. Waist cutoffs identify 39% of the contemporary sample as healthy, 27% at increased health risk, and 34% at high risk.

CONCLUSIONS

UK offshore workers today have higher BMI than Scottish men, although some muscular individuals may be misclassified by BMI. Girth data, particularly at the waist, where dimensional increase was greatest, together with predictions of total and visceral fatness, suggest less favorable health status in others.