Glenn Parsons, 59, died after being crushed by a falling condenser at the factory in Leitchville on December 6, 2017.

The Cobram-based firm A-1 Engineering, Big Hill Cranes from Bendigo and New Zealand man Andrew Buchanan are facing the Bendigo Magistrates' Court after being charged by Worksafe Victoria.

Michael Anthony Crea from Cobram was working at the plant as part of the team decommissioning the site when the accident happened and was badly hurt.

He was the first witness to give evidence to the hearing on Monday.

Mr Crea was asked about loading the condenser into a shipping container in the moments before the equipment fell.

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He described how he worked alongside Mr Parsons and a crane operator, relaying hand signals as the condenser was moved.

While struggling to recall some of the detail, Mr Crea told the court the condenser appeared stable and that the load was shaken or rocked by hand to check it was steady.

He also said that he believed Mr Parsons was a very competent tradesperson and that none of Mr Parsons' actions before the incident had caused him any concern.

Mr Crea was also quizzed about the chain of command during the works.

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Mr Buchanan's lawyer Robert Taylor noted it was a "traumatic event" before questioning Mr Crea about his safety training and induction.

He confirmed to the court Mr Buchanan - who was absent from the site on the day of the incident - would issue instructions on the removal and packing of equipment at the site.

Mr Crea told the court Mr Buchanan and a second man were sometimes present for what were known on site as "tool box meetings", when safety incidents that had happened on previous days were discussed.

Lawyers for Big Hill Cranes successfully argued for one of the four charges laid against the company to be struck out.

A-1 Engineering is facing eight charges, while Mr Buchanan is accused of four offences.

The hearing is being run to decide if the charges should go to trial in a higher court, and is scheduled to run for up to three weeks.

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