Workplace situations and alcohol consumption: a review of the literature. Rationale for the occupational physician.

Abstract

The aim of this work is to identify occupational situations that are at risk and/or encourage alcohol use, whatever the type of consumption. This is a review of the literature in search of articles published between 1989 and August 2019, dealing with the effects of work situations on alcohol consumption. A qualitative analysis was conducted on the articles meeting the selection criteria, and the data were summarised based on the main risk factors identified. There is some evidence supporting work organisation as being at risk of alcohol consumption. This concerns mainly shift work and long-working hours, although the relation with drinking behaviours seems to be conflicting. Social relations and interactions within the workplace may induce (or be at risk of) alcohol consumption, particularly in the case of tolerant standards. The results regarding work stress are contradictory. Data regarding physical workload are scarce. Most studies addressed alcohol consumption as a public health issue, in the labour force, and not as an occupational health issue focused on work situations and conditions. Yet this knowledge may help the occupational physician to question the work environment, in order to prevent this risk on a collective technical level and on an individual case-by-case basis.