Construction workers' alcohol use, knowledge, perceptions of risk and workplace norms

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.

Mental Health Conditions among Young Construction Workers: A Systematic Narrative Review

“…These outcomes have been attributed to the fact that being in the early stage of physical, mental, emotional, social, and professional development [1] makes them more susceptible to the effects of psychosocial risk factors such as harmful industry culture (e.g., bullying, substance use as a coping mechanism, etc.) [3,4], poor work environment, and stressful construction tasks [5]. This therefore makes it imperative to give specific attention to the mental health conditions of young construction workers.…”

The Interplay of Alcohol and Wellbeing in the Workplace: Combining Soft Systems Methodology and Foucauldian Approach

“…Research about alcohol in the workplace is an ever-growing field (Roche et al 2020), with inferences often drawn between employees' wellbeing, health and safety (H&S) and alcohol use (Ghodse 2016; Roche 2017). Alcohol and drug misuse present a multifaceted and problematic challenge that destroys vast individual lives and undermines British society's H&S (Cumberledge cited Ghodse 2016).…”

Thriving from Work: Conceptualization and Measurement

“…With current technologies and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the lines between work and non-work commitments are blurring. Burnout [6][7][8][9][10][11][12] and substance use, such as alcohol dependence and opioid misuse [13][14][15], are on the increase in many industries.…”

“…With current technologies and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the lines between work and non-work commitments are blurring. Burnout [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ] and substance use, such as alcohol dependence and opioid misuse [ 13 , 14 , 15 ], are on the increase in many industries. All of these circumstances are likely to have detrimental impacts on health and well-being.…”