Dreamworld inquest to hear why Thunder River Rapids ride was altered before 2016 tragedy

Two former Dreamworld workers have been called to give evidence at the inquest into the 2016 disaster which claimed the lives of four tourists.

Bob Wood is one of two men who will take the stand today to explain why the theme park removed two out of every three wooden slats on the Thunder River Rapids ride conveyor belt in the years leading up to the disaster.

It comes after Workplace Health and Safety Queensland's Chief Safety Engineer Michael Chan admitted the government body was never notified about modifications made to the ride, in particular the removal of the slats.

"Removal of the slats... introduces a hazard, that alteration should've been notified to the department," he told the court.

Mr Chan also mentioned two of Dreamworld's senior staff came to him two months before the tragedy and asked whether the theme park could bypass legal requirements and gain annual registration for the ride without an engineering inspection.

"They proposed that, as they have a good maintenance and inspection regime at Dreamworld… (it was) in lieu of an annual inspection of a professional engineer".

Counsel Assisting the Coroner Ken Fleming QC responded asking: "Was the department willing to make that concession?"

Mr Chan told the court: "No".

The inquest will run for three more days before adjourning at the end of the week.

A further one week of sittings has been organised next month.