Health & Safety Report 2014

HEALTH & SAFETY REPORT 2014

4.4 Size and Shape of the Offshore Workforce Confined space working and general space limitations are commonplace within the offshore oil and gas industry and it is the workers’ size and shape that determines their fit within this environment. The last survey of offshore workers’ body sizes was completed almost 30 years ago and since then the average weight of the workforce has increased by around 19 per cent. In the graph below, the green line represents the weights of the offshore population in 1985 whilst the blue data curve represents the weight of the offshore population in 2009 and shows a significant shift in distribution to the heavier end of the spectrum. Furthermore, the heaviest individuals are proportionally even heavier.

Figure 15: Average Weight of Males Travelling Offshore on the UK Continental Shelf

Average weight of males travelling offshore on the UKCS

19%

1,600

Sample Size: Mean Weight:

44,495

90.94 kg

Range: 50 kg - 158 kg Number >135 kg: 179 (195)

1,400

1,200

1,000

800

600 Frequency

400

200

Heaviest 1% of the offshore workforce

0

74

47

59

71

92

62

53

95

56

65

89

83

86

98

50

77

80

68

44

116

128 156 Source: Vantage POB, Oil & Gas UK 131 134 137 140 143 146 149 152

110

101

107

119

113

122

125

104

Weight (kg)

Due to the considerable increase in the weight of offshore workers, it is vital that an up-to-date survey is completed in order to assess the changes in shape and size associated with this weight gain, informing the future design and layout of the offshore infrastructure and equipment, improving fit, comfort and safety for the workforce.

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