Rhode Island General Laws Title 39. Public Utilities and Carriers § 39-1.2-1.1. Findings

(1) Safety and the need for an effective damage-prevention program for underground utility facilities should include participation from all stakeholders including excavators and utility companies;

(2) To develop a process for fostering and promoting the use of an effective damage-prevention program, by all appropriate stakeholders, technologies need to be improved that enhance communications, underground pipeline-locating capability, and gathering and analyzing information about the accuracy and effectiveness of underground facility-locating programs;

(3) Many public, private, and municipal utilities are located underground, including, but not limited to, gas, water, electric, cable television, telephone, and sewers. Excavation in the vicinity of these utilities can be dangerous and the utilities should be marked appropriately to avoid damage, injury, or public emergency; and

(4) All utilities, whether public, private, or municipal, should strongly consider participation in the utility damage-prevention program known as Dig Safe System, Inc. to ensure the highest level of safety and awareness of utility facility locations.