Crane company charged after powerline contact seriously injures worker

Energy Safe Victoria has charged a crane hire company over a powerline contact and arc flash incident in Norlane last year, which injured multiple workers, including one man who was airlifted to hospital with critical burns.

Quinlan Cranes is facing two charges under the Electricity Safety (General) Regulations 2019 for allegedly operating too close to powerlines and putting people in danger by damaging or interfering with protected infrastructure.

At the time of the alleged offending in September 2025, the company had been contracted to help build a modular home by lifting three separate sections from a truck on to nearby structural beams.
It’s alleged that, despite having a spotter on site, the crane’s steel chain contacted the powerline during the lift, causing an arc flash that delivered electric shocks to four workers and left one man with severe burns.

Energy Safe attended the site and opened an investigation after WorkSafe Victoria reported a serious electrical incident.

In Victoria, it is an offence to operate a mobile crane or any attachment within two metres of a protected 22kV powerline or cause a risk to any person by damaging or interfering with protected infrastructure.

The offences carry a maximum penalty of $4,070 per charge under the Electricity Safety (General) Regulations 2019.

Quinlan Cranes will face Geelong Magistrates’ Court on 14 September 2026.

Energy Safe. Always.

Media contact: April Dudgeon | 0498 188 117 | media@energysafe.vic.gov.au