Worker fatally crushed by wind turbine blade remembered as 'beloved friend'

The family of a construction worker who was killed at a wind farm in regional Victoria has described the 36-year-old as a "beloved friend".

Jess Patience was killed when a turbine blade fell and crushed him at Golden Plains wind farm on Monday.

It's understood the turbine blade was being prepared for installation while still at ground level when the accident occurred.

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An online fundraiser has been established by his family and has already raised more than $100,000.

"As we come to terms with this unimaginable loss, we want to honour his memory and support his family during this difficult time," the fundraiser organiser said.

"To help ease the financial burden that comes with such a tragedy, we are organising a fundraising campaign.

"The funds raised will go directly to funeral expenses and supporting the family. We invite you to join us in celebrating Jess's life and legacy."

Danish renewable energy giant Vestas, the turbine supplier, closed the site on Monday.

"The blade is stored on the ground and there is some prep work that needs to be done, and it's in that work stream that the accident has happened," Vestas head of Australia and New Zealand Danny Nielsen said on Monday.

"Safety is our number one priority so any incidents, any accidents, is for us one too many."

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Worksafe Minister Danny Pearson told reporters on Monday that fatality investigators and other specialists would look into what happened.

"This is a heartbreaking tragedy and our thoughts are with the family of the worker as well as their workmates," Pearson said.

The Australian Workers' Union (AWU) said it recently raised safety concerns with the company.

"This devastating loss could have been prevented," Victoria State Secretary Ronnie Hayden said.

Work had been underway to complete the first stage of the wind farm, which will be the largest wind farm in the southern hemisphere once fully operational.

Rokewood is located near Geelong, about 133km west of Melbourne.