Contractor Tibor Mucha, 48, has pleaded not guilty in the Launceston Magistrates Court to failing as a self- employed worker to ensure Matthew was not exposed to risk of health or safety.

Matthew's father Guy Hudson said his son had begun working with Mr Mucha in an effort to gain experience for future work.

Prosecutor Nick Perks said Mr Mucha, engaged as an independent contractor, exercised little or no supervisory role over the young, unpaid worker.

Labourer Steven Reiman said he bogged two forklifts in soft ground some time before the accident and Matthew used a tractor to pull them out.

Mr Reiman also said he saw Matthew driving forklifts on two occasions.

"There was nobody with him when he was driving," he said.

In cross-examination from defence lawyer Greg Richardson, Mr Reiman said it bothered him that Matthew was using the forklift.

"I thought it was slightly strange that a kid was on a forklift," he said.

When asked by Mr Richardson why he did not report the incident, Mr Reiman said, "I wanted to keep my job ... I don't like to rock the boat."

Maintenance fitter Shane Allan said Mr Mucha was nowhere to be seen when he saw Matthew driving the forklift the morning of the accident.

Automobile engineer Rex McCarthy was called to give evidence about the forklift involved in the accident and said it was reversed at a reasonable pace.

"Were it travelling very slowly the average person would have been able to detect they're in trouble and react to stop from going into further trouble," he said.

Mr McCarthy said in cross- examination that tyre marks in the area of the accident indicated the forklift was operated in a way that was not prudent.

The case was adjourned part-heard with the prosecution to call one more witness.

Mr Richardson indicated the defence would call its own witnesses.

Magistrate Tim Hill adjourned the hearing, pending confirmation, to March 9.