Comparative analysis of alcohol consumption patterns and binge drinking behaviours among working populations: implications for occupational health and workplace safety

Abstract

Background: Alcohol consumption and binge drinking (BD) are major public health concerns with clear implications for occupational health and workplace safety, particularly in physically demanding or safety-sensitive jobs. However, differences in alcohol-related risk across occupational groups remain insufficiently explored. Methods: This retrospective observational study analyzed medical records from 1264 workers who underwent routine occupational health surveillance in Palermo, Italy, between 2023 and 2025. Participants were classified as white-collar workers (Work 1; n = 607) or blue-collar workers (Work 2; n = 657). Alcohol use was assessed with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test Consumption (AUDIT-C) questionnaire, and participants were categorized as abstinent, low-risk, or at-risk drinkers according to sex-specific thresholds. BD was defined as consuming six or more standard drinks on one occasion. Results: Blue-collar workers showed higher AUDIT-C scores and were more likely to fall into higher alcohol-risk categories than white-collar workers. BD was reported by 43% of participants and was more frequent among blue-collar workers than white-collar workers (47% vs. 38%). Female sex, younger age, blue-collar occupation, and single marital status were independently associated with greater alcohol-related risk. Conclusions: These findings suggest that occupational and sociodemographic factors jointly shape alcohol-risk patterns, supporting targeted, workplace-based, and gender-sensitive prevention strategies.