NOVA SCOTIA (From The Guradian) -- An investigation into the death of a 28-year-old man at a J.D. Irving facility is likely to take some time.

Scott Nauss, senior director of inspection and compliance with the Department of Labour, confirmed the investigation is continuing on site.

"These types of investigations can take upwards of a few years," he said. "There are a lot of moving parts and evidence that has to be sifted through so we can make sure we have a thorough investigation. It's too early to say how long this one will take."

On Monday, an employee of the J.D. Irving Limited sawmill on the Valleydale Road was pronounced dead at the site. According to the labour department, he had been struck by a front-end loader.

A stop-work order had been placed on the loader, as well as the area in which the incident occurred.

"The stop-work order on the loader has been lifted, but the order on the area continues," confirmed Nauss. "The purpose of the orders is to ensure safety of everyone. Once we feel that hazard is cleared, we can lift that order."

During the course of the investigation, Nauss said the number of people on site can vary, from one to sometimes five or six. He wasn't sure how many people were on site on Wednesday.

This is the second workplace death for J.D. Irving Limited this year. A 52-year-old man died in hospital after sustaining a head injury in the chipper building at a sawmill in Sussex, N.B., on Feb. 29.