Carlsberg A/S is utilising Alcolock breathalizers on forklifts and other equipment to monitor operators' previously unlimited beer consumption on the job.

The brewing company created waves of dissent and an employee strike for imposing new work rules effective from 1 April at a distribution facility in Hoje-Taastrup.

Managers restricted beer consumption for warehouse employees to lunch hours in the plant cafeteria, with a limit of three pint-sized cups.

The imposition offended distribution centre workers who previously had open access to beer on the job and were given the discretion of drinking within reason.

About 260 employees at the distribution facility went on strike and gained support through the walk-out of about 500 workers at a Carlsberg brewery in Fredericia, Denmark.

The strike ended on 11 April, with Carlsberg management agreeing to move toward a temporary solution and a longer-term legal settlement. The United Federation of Danish Workers, known as the Fagligt Faelles Forbund or 3F union, represents the workers.

Alcolock GB Ltd of St Ives, England produces the state-of-the-art ergonomically designed alcohol-activated breathalizer that is connected to a vehicle immobilizer via a wireless system.

Copenhagen, Denmark-based Carlsberg was the world's fourth-largest brewery group in 2009. The publicly traded organisation employs about 45,000 staff.