LAS VEGAS -- A construction worker has been killed at a work site at McCarran Airport in an incident involving a compact motorized earth moving shovel, officials said.

Airport officials said the Las Vegas Paving laborer was working on the Terminal 3 roadway project when he was run over shortly after 11 a.m. Monday.

Clark County fire spokesman Scott Allison said paramedics took the man to a local hospital where he died a short time later. His identity wasn't immediately made public.

Clark County Director of Aviation, Randall Walker, said the death was the first work-related fatality on a Department of Aviation job in over 16 years that Bechtel has tracked contractors’ hours.

“Construction is an inherently dangerous activity, and even the best safety programs can’t completely protect the health of those who work in this field. Today’s tragedy is an unwanted reminder of the risks which we’ve previously been able to avoid and through continued diligence, hope will never occur again,” Walker said in a news release.

Las Vegas Paving released the following statement: “Las Vegas Paving Corporation is deeply saddened by the unfortunate loss of life of one of our valued employees on the McCarran Airport Terminal 3 project. As a company, we place workplace safety as ‘priority one’ and strive to provide our employees with a safe and secure workplace. Unfortunately, and as with all construction projects, the possibility of unforeseen accidents resulting in bodily injury and death is ever present.”

The death is being investigated by the Nevada division of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The $2.4 billion terminal is expected to open in 2012.