Citation

Roche AM, Chapman J, Duraisingam V, Phillips B, Finnane J, Pidd K. Drug Alcohol Rev. 2020; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/dar.13075

PMID

32350917

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Globally, there is growing concern regarding workers' alcohol use and its implications for health, wellbeing and workplace safety. Male-dominated industries are more susceptible to risky alcohol consumption and its associated harms. This paper investigated the patterns, prevalence and predictors of risky drinking among construction workers. DESIGN AND METHODS: Male construction workers (n = 511) completed a survey measuring alcohol-related measures including Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test - Concise (AUDIT-C), which was compared with population data. Hierarchical multiple regression examined alcohol-related knowledge, perception of risk to workplace safety, psychological distress, job stress, general health, quality of life and workplace alcohol culture variables as predictors of risky drinking.

RESULTS: Prevalence of risky drinking was higher than the national average, particularly for younger (<25 years) and mid-aged (45-54 years) workers. One in six construction workers reported workmates being visibly affected by alcohol in the workplace. Key predictors of risky drinking were perception of alcohol-related risks to workplace safety, general health, alcohol knowledge and descriptive norms regarding workmates' alcohol use.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide useful insights into the patterns and predictors of risky drinking in construction and can inform future preventive programs and interventions in high-risk workplaces. In addition to tailoring programs to both young and mid-aged workers, this work highlights the importance of implementing strategies to increase awareness of risks to workplace safety; and the adoption of norms that inhibit the social acceptability of risky drinking behaviour in the wider workplace.

© 2020 Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs.

Language: en

Keywords

alcohol use; construction; health and safety; male-dominated industry; workplace