NSW Cement Firm Fined $135,000 After Crane Strikes Live Powerlines
21 Aug 2026•BlueSafe Team•Source: SafeWork NSW
A Sydney-based sand and cement supplier has been fined $135,000 in the Industrial Court of NSW after a truck‑mounted crane contacted live overhead powerlines on a Dundas construction site. The case highlights the critical need for robust WHS management systems and safe work method statements (SWMS) when operating mobile plant near electrical hazards.
Kens Sand & Cement Pty Ltd has been ordered to pay a $135,000 fine in the Industrial Court of New South Wales following a prosecution brought by SafeWork NSW over a serious crane incident at a Dundas construction site.
The incident occurred on 9 February 2023, when a worker was using a truck‑mounted crane to unload a bag of sand. During the unloading process, the crane contacted overhead powerlines, bringing down a live low‑voltage line and causing damage to the driver’s side door and window of the truck. The worker was not physically injured, but the event posed a significant electrocution risk.
Kens Sand & Cement Pty Ltd pleaded guilty to an offence under section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW), for failing to comply with its primary duty of care to workers under section 19(1) of the Act. The court found that reasonably practicable steps to control the risk of contact with overhead powerlines had not been adequately implemented.
SafeWork NSW emphasised that the risks associated with operating mobile plant and vehicles near overhead powerlines are well known, and that established control measures should be part of every organisation’s WHS management system and documented in relevant SWMS and procedures. Contact with live electrical infrastructure can lead to electrocution, electric shock and serious burns, not only to the operator but also to nearby workers and members of the public.
Under WHS legislation, employers and other duty holders must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that no person, plant or vehicle comes within an unsafe distance of overhead powerlines. This includes assessing site conditions, consulting network operators where required, clearly defining no‑go zones, using spotters, and implementing appropriate isolation or exclusion controls.
The full judgment in SafeWork NSW v Kens Sand & Cement Pty Ltd is available on the NSW Caselaw website. The company retains the right to appeal the sentence.
Workers who are concerned about workplace health and safety can raise issues anonymously with SafeWork NSW by calling 13 10 50 or via the Speak Up Save Lives online platform.
Business owners and PCBUs are encouraged to review and strengthen their WHS management systems, particularly for high‑risk activities involving plant and equipment near overhead powerlines. Comprehensive policies, procedures and SWMS for mobile plant operations can assist in demonstrating compliance and in preventing similar incidents. For examples of structured WHS documentation and SWMS templates, duty holders may refer to resources such as those available at BlueSafe SWMS and broader WHS management tools at BlueSafe Management Systems.