Man dead after workplace incident at Irving's Halifax Shipyard

A 43-year-old man is dead after being struck by a piece of equipment at the Halifax Shipyard on Monday.

Irving Shipbuilding spokesperson Mel Schori confirmed the death, but did not provide any details about what happened. On Wednesday, Schori said the man who died was Jamie Knight.

"As we work to coordinate support for Jamie's family, our thoughts and condolences are with them, his colleagues and friends. We are continuing to focus on providing the resources and support needed during this difficult time, including grief counselling services and granting leaves of absence to any employee who needs time away," Schori said in a statement.

"Safety is and always will be Irving Shipbuilding's top priority. We are working closely with the ongoing investigation into this tragic accident, being conducted by the Nova Scotia Department of Labour, and conducting our own internal investigation simultaneously."

Labour Department spokesperson Monica MacLean said a stop-work order was issued and an investigation is underway about safe work procedures for snow removal. She said the equipment involved in the incident is undergoing a mechanical assessment.

Unifor spokesperson Jennifer Murray said the union is working with the Labour Department, the police and Irving as the investigation continues.

In a news release Tuesday morning, Halifax Regional Police said officers were called to the scene Monday around 11:40 a.m. It said the man was pronounced dead at the scene.  

It said the force's integrated criminal investigation division is working with the Labour Department, but the investigation is in its early stages.

Earlier this month, the department issued two stop-work orders at the shipyard that were "related to grinding of lead paint onboard a vessel."