Offshore work

hammy9990

Newbie
Messages
1
Hi all,

New to the forum so hope this works. I had been working offshore for a couple of years both in the UK and abroad when i contracted diabetes in July of last year. As i was only on a short term contract at the time, it stopped me from going offshore. The doctor was unsure about Type 1 or Type 2 and first started me on diet alone, then diet and tablets and now for the past three months i have been on Insulin and confirmed as type 1. Although it may be the end of offshore for me it was a relief to go onto insulin and get it under control as i had lost a lot of weight and had been scared to eat as i knew my levels would rocket. I have been on insulin for about three months now and actually feel a lot better now and hospital is delighted with results mainly between 4 and 8 with a few blips along the way. I was at the hospital on Thursday and asked my nurse about getting back offshore and she recommended posting something to see if anybody else has experience of offshore and diabetes. She is quite happy that i seem to have it under control and will do anything she can do to help. Any help or stories ( good or bad ) would be much appreciated. I do remember being offshore and there was insulin diabetics working so it is possible.
 

cugila

Master
Messages
10,272
Dislikes
People who are touchy.......feign indignation at the slightest thing. Hypocrites, bullies and cowards.
Hi hammy. Welcome to the Forum.

We have had some discussions about this subject before.

Here is a link to the last one which may be of help. Make sure whoever you contact about this that you get the current up to date information..........

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=15291&hilit=+offshore
 

Darth

Newbie
Messages
1
Hi, am new to the forums (first post actually!). I work in the Oil Service industry for a small company specialising in chemicals and some years ago I was offered a position to train to go into the offshore side of the business as an engineer. I was sent to do my medical and passed everything however afterwards we were then told we would need to get information on which installations and areas i would be working in, this would then need clearing with the rig operators and also the individual medics on each rig. It was somewhere shortly after this that the company kind of lost interest in pursuing this career avenue for me :(

You can theoretically work offshore providing you are otherwise fit and can prove you have your diabetes well controlled but there are a lot of hoops to jump through so unless you already have skills or qualifications which make you stand out over non diabetic candidates then it will be very difficult to get work.
 

darren1987

Newbie
Messages
1
Hi,this is my first time on here so hope this can maybe get some balls rolling?

I am a type 1 diabetic who is trying to get offshore but having alot of bother on the medical side of things?i actually got offered a job in april and signed a contract but was declined by the company as there main customer who they did work for refused to have me on there installations?this cant be very fair and would be classed as disability discrimination as i was told by the company medic,but i dont want to sue,i just think all diabetics that are under control and wanting to pursue a career should not be held back,we should be treated the same,im 24 and have had diabetes for almost 21 year,i know how to look after myself which im sure you guys do to. look forward to hearing back.

Darren
 

johnts

Well-Known Member
Messages
137
Im an offshore worker and have done for 21 years im type 2 since july 2005. Basically this if your insulin dependant they told me that you could only work dayshift so therefore most companies stances are if type 1 then not a hope in hell getting offshore. Type 2 controlled is acceptable and they allow that.
Lots of folk with type 2 offshore, Ive not met a type 1 so that tells the story
 

gusto

Member
Messages
10
Hi.
I am an ex offshore worker forced into being a land lubber by my condition which was only found by going to my offshore medical where my blood sugar was at 26.7.

I was basically told by my company that I would never work offshore again and so they gave me an onshore project managers job.
However I reckon I would much rather be offshore again but it is difficult given the fact that we are a service company and would need to visit a lot of installations.
I have been to an OH examination in august and need to set up another as I have just surpassed my 6 month period set by the OH.
My last HBA1C was 7.5 which is not bad for having type 1 since june so we shall see what comes in the new year.