§ 63-142.9. Damage to underground facilities.

A.  When any damage occurs to an underground facility or its protective covering, the operator thereof shall be notified immediately by the excavator who caused the damage.

B.  Upon receiving notice of such damage, the operator shall promptly dispatch personnel to the location to effect temporary or permanent repairs.

C.  Should damage occur that endangers life, health or property, the excavator responsible for the work shall keep all sources of ignition away from the damaged area and shall take immediate action to protect the public and property and to minimize the hazard until arrival of the operator's personnel or until the appropriate police or fire officials shall have arrived and taken charge of the damaged area.

D.  An excavator shall delay any backfilling in the immediate area of the damaged underground facilities until the damage has been repaired, unless the operator authorizes otherwise.  The repair of such damage must be performed by the operator or by qualified personnel authorized by the operator.

Laws 1981, c. 94, § 9, eff. Jan. 1, 1982.