A recent study in the UK found that by far the heaviest drinkers were those employed in the media, but IT staffers aren’t far behind.

The study, by the country’s National Health Service, found that media workers consume the equivalent of more than four bottles of wine (or more than 19 pints of beer a week).

Media folks drink an average of 44 units a week, around double the recommended limit.

The maximum recommended alcohol consumption for men, according to NHS, is 21 to 28 units a week –- three to four units a day. For women, the maximum is 14-21 units a week – two to three units a day.

People in the profession also drink 10 units more a week than the next heaviest drinking professionals –- IT workers, who also consume more than the recommended limit, with 34 units a week.

Next on the list are service-sector workers at 33 units, and people in finance, insurance and real estate at 29 units.

People working in education, transport and travel are the country’s most moderate drinkers, consuming an average of 24 units a week, although that’s still above the recommended limit for women and around the maximum for men.

A hearing officer recently ruled a Denver city employee fired for drinking at work couldn’t be terminated. Why? Because the city failed to print out the results of his Breathalyzer test.

John Delgado work for the city as an equipment-operator specialist. In 2007, he failed a drug test required for all employees in safety-sensitive positions.

Rather than lose his job, he sought treatment and was required to abstain from drugs and alcohol for three years. He was fired after he failed an alcohol test last year.

The printer attached to the Breathalyzer machine malfunctioned and failed to print the results.

Even though Delgado didn’t dispute the positive results, the hearing officer decided he should keep his job because the city lacked hard proof. He was returned to his position and given back pay for the time he was out of work.

The city plans to appeal the ruling. In the meantime, the printer has been fixed and a backup system has been installed.