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The first step in the data
reduction process was to create a working file that contained all of
the variables that are needed as input to the Mortality Analysis
System (MAS) software .
This intermediate working file contains data for individuals who were
followed for at least one year and whose data were free of critical
errors. Length of employment was defined as a two level factor, and
person-time accrual began at the date that a person had been followed
for one year. At that time, people were categorized as employed less
than or equal to one year or greater than one year. Consequently, the
only time dependent variable is facility. MAS was not designed
to handle time dependent variables so two
records were created in the working file for individuals that were employed at
more than one facility. The first record contained entry and exit
dates for the first facility of employment and the second record
contained entry and exit dates for the multiple facility category.
The variables included on each record were race, gender, facility, pay
code, length of employment, vital status, birth date, and data needed
o determine entry and exit dates, all of which are required by MAS to
calculate person time.