§1749.16. Precautions to avoid damage

            In addition to the notification requirements in R.S. 40:1749.13 and 1749.14 and the emergency notification requirements in R.S. 40:1749.15, each person responsible for an excavation or demolition operation shall do the following:

            (1) Plan the excavation or demolition to avoid damage to or minimize interference with underground facilities in and near the construction area.

            (2) Maintain a safe clearance between the underground utilities or facilities and the cutting edge or point of any power or mechanized equipment, taking into account the known limit of control of the cutting edge or point to avoid damage to utilities or facilities.

            (3) Provide support for underground facilities or utilities in and near the construction area, during excavation and back filling operations, as may be reasonably necessary to protect the utility or facility.

            (4) Potholing to determine the actual location of such facilities or utilities if an excavation or demolition operation could result in damage to underground utilities or facilities handling electricity, gas, natural gas, oil, petroleum products, or other flammable, toxic, or corrosive fluids or gases. For forestry excavation operations that could result in damage to underground utilities or facilities handling electricity, gas, natural gas, oil, petroleum products, or other flammable, toxic, or corrosive fluids or gases, the forestry excavator and the utility or facility owner or operator shall cooperate to determine the actual location of such facilities or utilities.

            Acts 1988, No. 923, §1; Acts 1997, No. 1050, §1, eff. July 11, 1997; Acts 1999, No. 506, §1, eff. June 29, 1999; Acts 2023, No. 344, §1.