Michael Watts pleaded not guilty in the ACT Industrial Court on Wednesday to charges of manslaughter and risking death without a reasonable excuse.

The matter is strictly indictable and must go before a jury in the ACT Supreme Court.

However, the defence on Wednesday indicated it would contest Mr Watts committal to the higher court.

Magistrate Glenn Theakston set the matter down for hearing next year.

Mr Watts charges stem from the worksite death of Herman Holtz, 62, on August 4, 2016.

Prosecutors allege Mr Watts had been driving a crane which had been overloaded with an 11-tonne generator.

An overload alarm activated, but Mr Watts allegedly overrode the alarm before the crane rolled over and killed Mr Holtz on the University of Canberra Hospital construction site in Bruce.

Mr Watts is one of seven individuals and two companies charged over the workplace death in what is believed to be the territory's biggest industrial prosecution.

RAR Cranes, construction giant Multiplex Constructions, Benjamin De Bono, Andrew Drummond, John Flecker, Munro Jones, Paul Kelly, Jeffrey Rumble all face charges for alleged breaches of workplace safety.

The charges span the first two categories of the Work Health and Safety Act with maximum penalties of $3 million in fines for corporations, a $600,000 fine and five years' jail for duty holders, and a $300,000 fine and five years' jail for individuals.

The case will return to court in February.