Tasmania's workplace watchdog is investigating a road worker's death.

The 62-year-old man was directing traffic in a road works zone in Launceston when he was hit by a ute on Tuesday afternoon.

Police say the man was thrown 15 metres along the road.

The accident happened on a stretch of road with a 40 kilometre speed limit.

Roy Omerod, from Workplace Standards, says investigators will consider whether that speed was appropriate.

But he says drivers also have a responsibility.

"It's probably a good idea for people to be mindful of the fact road workers for them it is their workplace," he said.

Police say it is too early to say whether speed was a factor.

They are speaking with the 57-year-old man who was driving the ute, as well as road workers who witnessed the accident.

The Ravenswood man died in the Launceston General Hospital last night.