On a recent 'short term' contract, I was concerned for the health of a fellow Safety Practitioner who was obese to the point of being disabled, as per ISO standards, ie. in eccess of 20kg of his ideal weight. Short walks left him breathless and imobile. Is he a liability to the project ?

So actually what was his job and how did his condition prevent him doing it? I suppose if his job involved 'walking the site' or teaching rope work methods then yes it could be a problem but if his job was mainly going risk assessments or providing advice on H&S regs or running a training course then what's the problem?

If being inxs :) was an issue, i think most of us would be in trouble. How is he a liability to the project?

I'm so glad a fitness test was not part of the NEBOSH diploma, though the job does require getting over a number of hurdles. However I consider I have an advantage when footing a ladder :o)

Some would be pondering if this RIDDOR reportable?

I don't see how being an Australian rock band comes into this :) Oh the joys of the troll... Is it Friday yet?

I'm so naive. I never clocked it could be one of ......them....

'as per ISO standards, ie. in eccess of 20kg of his ideal weight' There are ISO standards on obesity now? I'd missed that. ISO8888? What you have to do to get certified to the standard?

Oh dear Bob. 'Different' is definitely not the right word. Overweight I think is a perfectly acceptable term. I just thought it may be opportune to say that there was news story a the weekend about the significant proportion of firefighters that not longer meet fitness requirements. I think in some jobs weight and fitness are very important and perhaps should form part of the contract. I want to know that a firefighter can get up those ladders and carry me out of a building if need be! In other jobs weight issues need to be taken into account. For example where a seat belt on a fork lift truck does not fit. But also not forgetting whether someone could evacuate quickly in the event of a fire. Weight issues undoubtedly affect some people doing their jobs and in an ideal world no one would be significantly overweight but unless weight and fitness is a barrier to carrying out the job (I'm sure there are many such jobs) all management can do is accommodate. Probably more of an issue is the fact that the obesity problem is having a huge and detrimental effect on the working lives of others.Emergency services, undertakers, health workers, care assistants. They all end up having to find ways to move those people once they can no longer move themselves. Often putting their own health and safety at risk in doing so.

I read this thread as it was related to professionlism, since when was an excessive BMI unprofessional?

I worked for someone who "punished" those trying to stay healthy! (in a round about way ;). We were all asked to sign a revised contract stating that employees who have time off as a result of any injury which occurred while participating in a dangerous sport would not be paid sick leave... This new contract was brought in 1 month after I broke my ankle running and another colleague broke her elbow playing hockey :)

Martin, I had to read that twice...... I'd hold out your wrists in preparation!

This thread has just made my day, on what has been a terrible Monday! I have been getting weird looks from everyone in the office at my sniggering every couple of posts :-)