A 40-year-old man suffered life-threatening injuries after he was struck by a piece of metal equipment at the Irving Shipyard in Halifax on Tuesday.

In a news release, Halifax Regional Police said the man fell after being struck.

Irving Shipbuilding has started an investigation into the incident. Halifax police and the Nova Scotia Department of Labour are also investigating.

The Labour Department has issued a stop-work order "on the equipment involved and associated work area."

A spokesperson for the shipyard said the injury was reported at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday while the worker was servicing a piece of the contractor's equipment.

The incident happened outside, the spokesperson said.

'Thoughts and prayers'

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the employee and the employee's family," Irving Shipyard said in a statement.

Unifor, the union representing some Irving shipyard workers, said in a statement on Wednesday they would not comment on the incident until the Department of Labour concludes its investigation.

The worker is not represented by Unifor.

The union said they extend "heartfelt support and solidarity to family, friends and co-workers" of the worker and are encouraging their members to donate money to the injured worker and his family.

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