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.