PURPOSE: To analyse the mortality and its causes, especially cancer, among French cement production workers. METHODS: A cohort of all workers employed at least 1 year in one of the main four cement companies in France was assembled (9,118 workers, 122,124 person-years of follow-up between 1990 and 2005). A common job titles classification was used to analyse occupational risk factors. We conducted a standardized mortality ratio analysis based on age, gender and calendar-period-specific national mortality rates and explored the combined effect of job titles and duration through an internal Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: The number of deaths during the follow-up period was 430 (4.7%). Malignant neoplasm was the cause of 48.1% of deaths. Overall, a deficit in all-causes mortality (standardized mortality ratio (SMR): 0.68, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.61-0.74) and in cancer mortality (SMR: 0.80, CI 0.69-0.92) was observed. Working in the quarry, yard and shipping sectors was associated with a 50% higher all-causes mortality risk in comparison with the administrative sector. CONCLUSIONS: This cohort study does not support previous observations that cement workers are at higher risk of cancer mortality than the general population. The length of follow-up should be increased, and specific exposures deserve analysis.