A cement company has been fined $135,000 after a truck-mounted crane contacted overhead powerlines while unloading sand at a construction site. The incident brought down a live low-voltage powerline, although the worker was not injured.
The incident occurred on 9 February 2023 at a construction site in Dundas, NSW, while a worker was using a crane mounted on a truck to unload a bag of sand.
The crane contacted overhead powerlines and brought down a live, low-voltage line. The fallen line damaged the driver's side door and window of the truck, but the worker was not injured.
The company pleaded guilty to failing to comply with its health and safety duty to workers under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. The Industrial Court of NSW imposed a $135,000 fine following the SafeWork prosecution.
SafeWork Commissioner Janet Schorer said the risks of operating mobile plant and vehicles near powerlines are well known. She also warned that contact with overhead powerlines can result in electrocution, electric shock or burns.
SafeWork said employers and other duty holders must, so far as is reasonably practicable, ensure people, plant and vehicles do not come within an unsafe distance of overhead powerlines. The company has the right to appeal against its sentence.
Official source: SafeWork NSW – News & Media Releases