The purpose of this report was to study the cause-specific mortality of French workers in the construction industry. METHODS: From a cohort of 12,788 male workers, standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for the years between 1974 and 1999 for workers aged 20 to 64 years. RESULTS: All-cause mortality was significantly increased (SMR=111, CI=106-206). Excess mortality was found for cancers (SMR=125, CI=117-134), especially for the oral cavity and pharynx (SMR=134, CI=108-163), digestive (SMR=120, CI=104-137) and respiratory (SMR=143, CI=128-159) systems; cerebrovascular disease (SMR=130, CI=106-158); diseases of the digestive system (SMR=130, CI=113-149), and accidental falls (SMR=158, CI=105-125). Excess risks were limited to blue-collar workers. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a probable role of lifestyle and potential limitations of the study, elevated mortality was observed for several causes possibly related to occupational factors. (R.A.)