A man has been crushed to death by two granite slabs weighing about 600kg at a worksite on Brisbane's bayside.

The slabs fell on the 61-year-old as they were being loaded onto the back of a truck at the site on Shore Street West, Cleveland, on Tuesday morning.

Paramedics attempted to revive the man but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

An investigation is underway to determine what caused the industrial incident.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland inspectors are working with the Queensland Police Service’s Forensic Crash Unit and are at the site offering counselling.

“This is another tragic incident just days before Christmas. Our sympathies go to family and friends of the man who died today,” Office of Industrial Relations executive director Julie Nielsen said.

Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace also expressed her condolences.

“This is a terrible tragedy at the worst possible time of the year. I just can’t imagine the heartbreaking Christmas ahead for family and friends,” she said in a statement.

The investigation into what caused the incident would be thorough, she added.

The man’s death comes less than three months after two workers were crushed to death by a concrete slab on a construction site at Brisbane’s Eagle Farm racecourse.