The following article is reprinted with permission from Farm and Dairy, Salem, Ohio.
COLUMBUS – Enforcement of Ohio’s underground protection laws begins January 1, according to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.
Commercial excavators, utility operators, designers and developers who fail to follow safe digging practices may be subject to penalties and fines.
A new state law created the Underground Technical Committee to increase public safety by ensuring that anyone excavating or operating underground facilities follows safe digging practices.
Beginning Jan. 1, the committee will review complaints regarding excavation violations, determine if a compliance failure occurred and recommend a course of action to the PUCO.
The PUCO will enforce these recommendations. The PUCO will invoice those required to pay a registration fee of up to $50 annually. Failure to register may result in a fine of up to $2,500.
Call first. The OUPS and Ohio Oil & Gas Producers Underground Protection Service remain the primary contacts for Ohioans who are planning excavations.
Before any digging project, Ohioans must call 8-1-1 to have underground facilities marked.
For more information about underground damage prevention, visit the PUCO website at www.PUCO.ohio.gov.