The employer of a man who died in a Tasmanian workplace accident two years ago says he was “one of the best”.

A Hobart court inquest has started into the death of 32-year-old Benjamin Wicks, died after being crushed by a one tonne steel beam at the McRobies Gully tip near Hobart in 2013.

The site contractor, Hutchinson Builders, stands accused of failing to provide safe systems of work.

Mr Wicks was involved in a pile driving operation at the site of a new waste transfer station.

Mr Wicks' employer, Mark Calcraft, told the Magistrates Court this week that his employee had close to 10 years of experience in pile driving, and was considered one of the best in the business.

Mr Calcraft said on the day of Mr Wicks' death, a different method was being used to pile drive because the pile (a large steel beam) had to be driven into a slope.

The modified method involved two excavators and a sling.

Mr Calcraft said workers had successfully driven one pile using the different method that morning, but it was the second operation that led to Mr Wicks’ fatal injury.

Police reports said Mr Wicks had left his excavator to direct a steel beam into a hole.

“The beam was starting to swing uncontrollably in the air, it's hit him on the head as it swung around,” Police Inspector Glenn Wooley said at the time.

His fellow workers tried to administer first aid, but Mr Wicks died a short time later.

The court case continues.