OEUK Guidelines update 2025
The newest version of the OEUK Medical Fitness For Offshore Work guidelines are known as Version 8 November 2025.
Here is a summary of the main changes that came into effect from 1st November 2025.
Standard and Conditional Certificates
Standard certificates replace previous Unrestricted certificates.
Conditional certificates replace previous Restricted and Location specific certificates. These require communication with the Operator Medical Advisor before Certificates can be agreed and issued.
eg. Type 1 Diabetes, Oral Anticoagulants, Obesity Class 3 in Category 1 Roles
Offshore Occupation Risk Category
Offshore occupations may be classified by employer risk assessment as being in one of two categories, either:
Category 1 – occupations, job roles and/or job function in which sudden or rapid- onset incapacitation (e.g. from impairment of consciousness, motor function, or other symptom) may adversely affect the safety of, or result in serious injury to/death of, either the worker in that occupation, or other persons. Examples of such occupations are likely to include (but are not limited to) crane operators, rope access personnel, scaffolders and drill crew.
Category 2 – all other occupations.
Obesity and Maximum Weight limit
See the Obesity and Maximum weight page.
Those on weight loss injections will need a letter to confirm, they are stable on their dose. They will need to have the relevant letter or emails from the prescriber to show the dose of medication and that they are side effect free
Minimum Mobility Test (6 minute walk test) is introduced
Crane Operators
• Optician report required - using a template letter provided by us • Minimum 6/6 binocular acuity (with correction if needed) • Visual field defects not acceptable • Monocular vision not acceptable • Double vision not acceptable
Rope Access
• In date IRATA must be shown • Additional questions and assessment of fine motor skills
Audiometry
• No longer a standard requirement • Health surveillance is separate to the OEUK medical • Hearing can be assessed from understanding of normal conversation • Can still be done to assess severity of suspected hearing loss
Hearing Aids
Those dependent on them for normal conversation will require operator medical approval
ERT Medical
Spirometry is now an additional requirement FEV1 of 80% and FEV1/FVC of 70% of predicted Safety risk assessment grading Certificates last upto 2 years (was previously one year)
Diabetes
• Insulin treated category 1 occupations - not fit for work on normally unmanned installations • Insulin treated category 2 occupations with good control - 1 year standard certificate • Type 2 Diabetes on oral hypoglycaemics except metformin (eg, Gliclazide, Dapagliflozin) in Category 1 jobs - conditional certificate after operator medical advisor approval
Normally Unmanned Installation
Various conditions are not suitable for work on these installations. See the following page.
North East Offshore Medicals
We are conveniently located for easy access by car or public transport. We have free parking so you can avoid city centre parking hassles and long wait times. We provide rapid assessments for those in South Tyneside and throughout the North East. Most medical checkups take under 30 minutes. We issue electronic PDF certificates on the spot and offer evening and Saturday appointments.
Why Choose Us
At South Tyneside Offshore Medicals, we offer friendly and professional services to help you meet specific medical requirements, from OEUK, RUK and Chester step tests to fit to train and return to work medicals.
Short Notice Appointments
We understand that offshore deployment dates can change at a moment's notice. To support energy and maritime workers, our clinic prioritises short-notice and last-minute bookings for OEUK (formerly OGUK) medical assessments.
Competitive Pricing
At South Tyneside Offshore Medicals North East, we deliver tier-one offshore medical services designed to minimize your total cost of ownership while maximizing workforce uptime.
Fast and Efficient
Most medicals generally completed in under 30 minutes. We strive to help you pass your medicals on the day Where an unforeseeable issue is identified at the medical, we provide the opportunity to delay or reschedule Electronic Certificates issued in PDF format for ease of sharing
Book a Consultation
We aim to respond to all enquiries within 48 hours. If you need a quicker response please contact us via phone. 07977462121
FAQs
An offshore medical is a comprehensive health assessment designed to ensure an individual is physically and mentally fit to work in demanding offshore environments, such as oil and gas rigs or Wind Turbines.
An OEUK (Offshore Energies UK) medical is a health assessment for individuals working in the offshore oil, gas, and energy sectors (including wind farms). It was formerly known as the OGUK (Oil and Gas UK) medical.
The most commonly accepted medical is the OEUK + Chester Step Test. Other standards include Renewable UK (RUK) and Energy Institute (EI). If starting in the industry it is best to do a combination of the 3.
The OEUK / OGUK assessments last approximately 20 minutes (30 minutes for GWO / RUK which includes a Chester Step) and involves examination of the main systems of the body such as heart, lungs, ENT, neurological and musculoskeletal system.
Also included are
- Blood Pressure and pulse
- BMI
- Vision
- Hearing test (practical assessment or audiometry)
- Oral Examination
Yes. Unresolved infections can affect your heart rate, blood pressure and make it more difficult to complete a chester step test. You should advise us in advance so we can rearrange your appointment.
It is your responsibility to advise us at the time of booking, any medical conditions, medication, previous surgery or cancer treatment. We can then advise you what information is needed such as most recent hospital letter
Yes. Any current broken teeth, exposed roots or dental infection will require a dental assessment to confirm you are at low risk of needing emergency dental treatment. The dental report is needed before your certificate can be issued.
If your blood pressure reading is too high at the appointment, it is best to arrange an Ambulatory Blood Pressure reading at your local pharmacy or GP practice.