Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the risk of suicide in Swedish electricians employed in the construction industry. A few studies have indicated an increased risk of suicide for electricians in the construction industry and electricians exposed to electromagnetic fields.

Methods: This is a cohort study. Electricians were identified through a computerised register of construction workers who had participated in health examinations in 1971–92. In this register, 33 719 male electricians were identified together with a reference group consisting of 72 653 male glass or woodworkers. Through a linkage with the Swedish Death Register, the cause of death was identified to the end of 1997. Mortality as a result of suicide was also compared with the general population with adjustments for sex, age, and period.

Results: The risk of mortality from suicide was decreased for electricians (standardised mortality ratio (SMR) 0.58, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.47 to 0.71) and for the reference group of construction workers (SMR 0.81, 95% CI 0.72 to 0.91) compared with the general population.

Conclusion: Contrary to some other studies, risk of suicide was not increased among electricians in the construction industry.