Current mortality in the Australian petroleum industry: the healthy-worker effect and the influence of life-style factors.

A surveillance system, to monitor mortality and cancer morbidity on a continuing basis, has been established in the Australian petroleum industry. A baseline survey of 11,573 employees, by personal interview, was carried out in 1981-1983. By the end of June 1986, 33,712 person-years of observation in men had accrued, with 109 deaths. Standardized mortality ratios, with the Australian national death rates as reference, indicate that in terms of mortality from all causes and in mortality from the more common diseases, the death rates in this population are substantially lower than in the national population. Standardization was also carried out in the case of employed men, with data from contributors to the Commonwealth superannuation fund as reference, in order to provide a more appropriate contrast. The risks of tobacco smoking are demonstrated, as is the probable protective effect of mild-to-moderate alcohol consumption. The advantages to the occupational physician in being able to describe current mortality patterns, and in being able to delineate "at-risk" groups are discussed, particularly in the context of health promotion and other interventions.