A forklift driver was seriously burned and 2500 houses lost electricity when a container handler touched powerlines on August 1 in the Queensland city of Brisbane.

The man, 40, was rushed to hospital after the frame of his container handler hit two 240-volt powerlines about 10.30am, The Courier-Mail newspaper said.

He suffered serious burns to both hands. The forklift brand was not reported. The electricity was restored later that morning.