Understand the current OEUK medical standards for offshore workers in 2026, including what the examination involves, medical conditions, medication, BMI, weight requirements and offshore certification.
Written and medically reviewed by Dr Farah MacDonald | Occupational Health Physician & OEUK Registered Doctor | Updated September 2026
The OEUK medical assesses whether you are medically fit to travel to, live and work safely offshore. It considers your medical history, examination findings, vision, hearing, respiratory health, medication and the risk of sudden illness or incapacity offshore.
An OEUK medical is an occupational medical assessment used to determine whether a worker is medically fit to travel to, live and work safely on an offshore installation.
It was historically known as the OGUK medical, following the former name Oil & Gas UK. The current organisation is Offshore Energies UK (OEUK), although many workers and employers still use the term “OGUK medical”.
The current OEUK medical standards are designed to assess whether a worker can safely travel to, live and work in the offshore environment. Offshore installations are remote workplaces where access to hospital treatment may be delayed and workers may need to participate in emergency evacuation procedures.
The examining doctor therefore considers whether a medical condition could increase the risk of sudden incapacity, deterioration or difficulty responding to an offshore emergency.
An OEUK medical must be undertaken by a doctor who is appropriately registered to perform offshore medical examinations under the OEUK medical framework.
OEUK maintains a register of examining doctors and clinics. Workers and employers can check that the doctor and clinic shown on an offshore medical certificate are appropriately registered.
At Marina Medicals, OEUK medical assessments are undertaken by a doctor experienced in occupational, offshore and maritime medical assessment from our clinic in Cardiff.
Marina Medicals provides doctor-led OEUK medicals in Cardiff for offshore workers across South Wales and the wider UK energy sector.
The assessment is tailored to the individual worker, their medical history and the requirements of their offshore role. However, an OEUK medical normally contains several core elements.
Medical history
The doctor will review your current and previous health, including significant illnesses, operations, hospital treatment and ongoing medical conditions.
Particular attention may be given to cardiovascular disease, respiratory conditions, diabetes, neurological disorders, mental health, musculoskeletal problems, sleep disorders and any previous medical problems occurring offshore.
You will also be asked about prescribed and non-prescribed medication.
A medical condition does not automatically prevent offshore work. Many conditions are compatible with offshore employment when they are stable, appropriately treated and present an acceptable level of risk.
Physical examination
A clinical examination is undertaken where appropriate to assess fitness for the offshore environment.
This commonly includes blood pressure and pulse measurement and may include cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological and musculoskeletal examination depending on your medical history and role.
Vision
Visual acuity is assessed as part of the medical examination. If you normally use glasses or contact lenses, bring them to your appointment.
Some safety-critical occupations may also have additional employer or role-specific visual requirements.
Hearing
Offshore workers must be able to communicate effectively and respond appropriately to alarms and emergency instructions.
Audiometry may therefore be required depending on the worker’s role, previous results, occupational exposure or employer requirements.
Learn more about Occupational Audiometry
Lung function
Spirometry may be required where there is a respiratory history, occupational exposure or another clinical indication. This may be particularly relevant where conditions such as asthma or chronic respiratory disease are present.
Learn more about Spirometry and Respiratory Health Surveillance
Under the current OEUK medical standards, having a medical condition does not automatically mean that you cannot work offshore.
OEUK medical decisions are made individually, taking account of the nature of the condition, its stability, treatment, the likelihood of deterioration or sudden incapacity and the consequences of becoming unwell in a remote offshore environment.
Depending on the circumstances, the examining doctor may be able to issue a standard certificate, request additional medical information, issue a shorter-duration certificate, apply appropriate restrictions or defer certification while further assessment is completed.
Raised blood pressure is commonly identified during occupational medical examinations.
A single elevated reading does not necessarily mean that an offshore medical certificate cannot be issued. The doctor will consider the level of blood pressure, whether hypertension has previously been diagnosed, current treatment, evidence of complications and overall cardiovascular risk.
Additional blood pressure readings or information from the worker’s GP may sometimes be required before a final certification decision can be made.
Read our guide: Blood Pressure and Your OEUK Medical
Diabetes requires individual assessment because both the condition and its treatment can affect safety offshore.
The examining doctor may consider the type of diabetes, treatment, stability of glucose control, any history of significant hypoglycaemia, complications and the nature of the worker’s offshore duties.
Some workers may require additional medical evidence or specialist information before certification.
A history of cardiovascular disease does not automatically prevent offshore work.
Assessment may include consideration of symptoms, treatment, exercise capacity, heart rhythm, specialist follow-up and the estimated risk of sudden incapacity.
Recent cardiology information or further investigation may be required in some circumstances.
Many workers with well-controlled asthma or other stable respiratory conditions can work offshore.
The examining doctor must consider the likelihood of significant respiratory deterioration in a remote environment and whether the worker’s condition could affect their ability to perform normal duties or respond in an emergency.
Spirometry or additional clinical information may be required where appropriate.
Learn more about Spirometry and Respiratory Health Surveillance
Obstructive sleep apnoea may be compatible with offshore work when it is appropriately treated and symptoms are adequately controlled.
Particular consideration is given to excessive daytime sleepiness and the potential consequences of impaired alertness in safety-critical work.
Evidence of effective treatment and satisfactory symptom control may be required.
Medication is assessed according to both the underlying condition being treated and the potential effects of the medication itself.
Particular concern may arise where medication can cause sedation, dizziness, impaired concentration, hypoglycaemia, significant bleeding risk or other effects that could compromise safe offshore work.
Workers should not stop prescribed medication simply to attend an offshore medical. Bring an accurate, up-to-date medication list so that it can be assessed properly.
Read our guide: Medications and Offshore Work
Under the current OEUK medical standards, body weight and BMI are considered as part of the overall medical assessment, but an important distinction should be made between BMI and the UK 124 kg clothed safe-weight limit.
BMI is one aspect of the medical assessment and may be relevant when considering cardiovascular risk, mobility, physical capability and other associated health conditions. However, the new OEUK safe-weight policy is based on actual clothed body weight rather than BMI.
OEUK introduced the policy because of operational safety considerations associated with offshore transport, emergency evacuation, Search and Rescue and life-saving equipment.
OEUK has introduced a maximum clothed weight threshold of 124 kg. From 1 November 2026, anyone whose clothed weight exceeds 124 kg will not be certified as fit for UK offshore work.
The industry is currently in the transition phase, which runs until 31 October 2026.
From 1 November 2026, a worker whose clothed weight is greater than 124 kg will not be permitted to mobilise to an UK offshore installation and an OEUK medical certificate valid for UK offshore work should not be issued.
Until 31 October 2026, workers above 110 kg should be advised about the approaching safe-weight limit.
Certificate duration may also be reduced for workers at or above 115 kg, so that medical certification reflects the approaching mandatory implementation date.
Workers above 124 kg during the transition period should be advised that they will not meet the UK offshore safe-weight requirement from 1 November 2026.
From 1 November 2026, if an examinee’s clothed weight exceeds 124 kg, they cannot be certified as fit for UK offshore work under the OEUK safe-weight policy.
Where an OEUK certificate is otherwise appropriate for work outside the UK, the certificate may still be issued, but UK offshore work must be excluded in accordance with the current OEUK medical standards.
Workers whose clothed weight is between 120.1 kg and 124 kg may receive a shorter-duration certificate under the OEUK safe-weight policy, subject to the examining doctor’s assessment and the current OEUK medical standards.
No. A high BMI does not automatically mean that an individual is medically unfit for offshore work.
BMI and obesity are considered in the context of the worker’s overall health, mobility, cardiovascular risk, associated medical conditions and ability to undertake offshore duties safely.
The separate 124 kg policy is different: from 1 November 2026 it creates a specific operational weight limit for UK offshore travel regardless of the individual’s BMI calculation.
Read our guide: OEUK Medical and BMI — Weight Requirements for Offshore Workers
The OEUK medical assesses whether an individual is medically fit to travel to, live and work safely offshore.
A Fit to Train assessment considers whether an individual is medically suitable to participate in specified offshore survival training activities, including in-water exercises and training involving emergency breathing systems.
Some offshore workers therefore require both an OEUK medical certificate and a separate Fit to Train assessment.
Where appropriate, the two assessments can be completed during the same appointment at Marina Medicals.
Learn more about Fit to Train Medicals
The Chester Step Test is a submaximal exercise assessment used to estimate aerobic fitness.
It is not required for every routine OEUK medical. However, it may form part of additional occupational fitness assessments depending on the worker’s role, employer requirements or the type of offshore duties being undertaken.
The test is commonly used in offshore wind and emergency response pathways where an assessment of cardiovascular fitness is required.
At Marina Medicals, the Chester Step Test can be booked as a standalone assessment or combined with an OEUK medical where appropriate.
Learn more about the Chester Step Test
Offshore Emergency Response Team (ERT) personnel may undertake physically demanding duties such as firefighting, rescue and emergency response.
Because these duties can impose greater cardiovascular and respiratory demands than routine offshore work, additional medical and functional assessment may be required.
At Marina Medicals, an ERT medical pathway can include:
The precise assessment should reflect the worker’s role and employer requirements.
Workers in the offshore wind sector may require a combination of occupational medical and functional assessments depending on their employer, role and work environment.
A wind turbine worker medical may include an OEUK-style medical assessment together with functional testing such as grip strength and the Chester Step Test.
Workers may also require separate training-related medical clearance depending on the activities they undertake.
To reduce the risk of certification being delayed, bring:
If you have a significant medical condition, bringing recent clinical information can often make the assessment more efficient.
Sometimes a final fitness decision cannot safely be made during the initial appointment.
This does not automatically mean that you have failed the medical.
The examining doctor may need additional information such as:
Certification can then be reconsidered once sufficient information is available.
A standard OEUK medical certificate may normally be issued for up to two years, although a shorter-duration certificate may be appropriate where closer medical review is required.
Certificate duration can also be affected by specific OEUK requirements, including the current UK offshore safe-weight policy.
Workers should always check the expiry date of their certificate before offshore mobilisation.
Marina Medicals provides doctor-led OEUK offshore medicals from our clinic at Global Link, Cardiff Bay.
Appointments are available for offshore workers travelling from Cardiff, Newport and across South Wales, as well as personnel working throughout the wider UK offshore energy sector.
OEUK medicals can also be combined with:
Yes. Many offshore workers still use the term OGUK medical because Offshore Energies UK was previously known as Oil & Gas UK. The current terminology is OEUK medical.
Possibly. Many stable medical conditions are compatible with offshore work. Fitness depends on the individual condition, treatment, risk of deterioration and occupational duties.
Many medications are compatible with offshore work, but some require further assessment because of the condition being treated or the potential for side effects that could affect safety offshore.
No. BMI alone does not automatically determine offshore fitness.
However, obesity may require additional assessment, and the separate 124 kg clothed safe-weight policy applies to UK offshore work from 1 November 2026.
No. Fit to Train is a separate assessment, although both can often be completed during the same appointment.
No. A Chester Step Test is not automatically required for every routine OEUK medical. It may be required for particular roles, employer requirements or additional fitness assessments.
Marina Medicals provides doctor-led OEUK offshore medicals from its Cardiff clinic.
