# Reporting damage by calling 911

**Citation:** 20VAC5-309-200  
**Type / status:** regulation / current  
**Agency:** Virginia State Corporation Commission  
**Effective:** 2024-04-01  
**Published:** 2024-04-01

In the event that damage to an underground utility line results in the escape of any flammable, toxic, hazardous, or corrosive gas or liquid, the excavator shall, in addition to complying with § 56-265.24 D and E of the Code of Virginia, promptly report the damage to the appropriate authorities by c

## Document text

In the event that damage to an underground utility line results in the escape of any flammable, toxic, hazardous, or corrosive gas or liquid, the excavator shall, in addition to complying with § 56-265.24 D and E of the Code of Virginia, promptly report the damage to the appropriate authorities by calling the 911 or official emergency telephone number if 911 service is unavailable for any reason. The excavator shall remain at or near the site of the damage, at a safe distance from the escape of any flammable, toxic, hazardous, or corrosive gas or liquid and shall make contact with the utility line operator upon arrival on site.

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title20/agency5/chapter309/section200/>
- Source ID: `va-vac`
- SHA-256: `4bc2dba2d031407fbaf91da2039d8c78eb3613e0e558b9ea401758c9dec2db12`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T11:42:36.995Z
- Exported: 2026-08-23T12:11:41.597Z
- Document slug: `va-vac-20-5-309-200`

### Source metadata

```json
{
  "jurisdiction": "US-VA",
  "titleNumber": 20,
  "agencyNumber": 5,
  "chapter": "309",
  "section": "200",
  "part": "V",
  "partTitle": "Supplemental Rules, Etc.",
  "pipelineScope": "underground-utility-damage-prevention-enforcement",
  "incorporatedByReference": false,
  "statutoryAuthority": "§§ 12.1-13 and 56-265.30 of the Code of Virginia.",
  "historicalNotes": "Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 4, eff. October 1, 2012; amended, Virginia Register Volume 40, Issue 16, eff. April 1, 2024.",
  "references": [
    {
      "citation": "Va. Code § 56-265.24",
      "referenceType": "virginia-code-section",
      "url": "https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/56-265.24/"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Va. Code § 12.1-13",
      "referenceType": "virginia-code-section",
      "url": "https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/12.1-13/"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Va. Code § 56-265.30",
      "referenceType": "virginia-code-section",
      "url": "https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/56-265.30/"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Volume 29, Issue 4",
      "referenceType": "official-source-link",
      "url": "http://register.dls.virginia.gov/toc.aspx?voliss=29:04"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Volume 40, Issue 16",
      "referenceType": "official-source-link",
      "url": "http://register.dls.virginia.gov/toc.aspx?voliss=40:16"
    }
  ],
  "chapterUrl": "https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title20/agency5/chapter309/",
  "applicabilityCaveat": "Applicability depends on State Corporation Commission jurisdiction, facility and operator type, intrastate status, the Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act, incorporated federal standards, and section-specific definitions and exceptions. Confirm current official Virginia and federal text before relying on a provision.",
  "publicationStatus": "Current official Virginia Administrative Code HTML published by the Virginia General Assembly's Division of Legislative Services.",
  "region": "VA"
}
```