They had better have their liability insurance paid up and in effect, because the bill for that fuckup is going to be huge. They won't be billed just for all the line splicing and repair, but also for all the lost revenue during the down time.
Done that a time or two. Fortunately, it was on the 811 guys for not marking correctly. A buddy took out the fiber optics between Phoenix and Flagstaff in the 90's. Even back then, they told him it was costing $4 million/hr in lost business. The utility guys had marked the fiber optics as being on the other side of the highway from where he was working. Well, for some unknown reason, they crossed to the side he was working, made a dogleg, then went back to the other side again.
One of the best ones involved a water main the city was supposed to mark. Someone half-assed that one and only marked where he could hang out the window of his truck. They wanted to blame that on us so badly they couldn't stand it. Too bad we had photos of before we started work, showing the utility markings and lack of markings, and where our locating stakes had been - because when that water line blew, it washed everything away.
So, yeah, call before you dig. The bank account you may save is your own.
I also take lots of photos of the sites. They claim to be within 18" either way, Bullshit. Spent all day looking for a water main befor I could install a culvert. Not even close.
That kind of thing results in black helicopters and massive fines and bills that count up in a hurry
ReplyDeleteThey had better have their liability insurance paid up and in effect, because the bill for that fuckup is going to be huge.
ReplyDeleteThey won't be billed just for all the line splicing and repair, but also for all the lost revenue during the down time.
Tim in AK
But of course the customers won't be given anything for their loss of service.
DeleteDone that a time or two. Fortunately, it was on the 811 guys for not marking correctly. A buddy took out the fiber optics between Phoenix and Flagstaff in the 90's. Even back then, they told him it was costing $4 million/hr in lost business. The utility guys had marked the fiber optics as being on the other side of the highway from where he was working. Well, for some unknown reason, they crossed to the side he was working, made a dogleg, then went back to the other side again.
ReplyDeleteOne of the best ones involved a water main the city was supposed to mark. Someone half-assed that one and only marked where he could hang out the window of his truck. They wanted to blame that on us so badly they couldn't stand it. Too bad we had photos of before we started work, showing the utility markings and lack of markings, and where our locating stakes had been - because when that water line blew, it washed everything away.
So, yeah, call before you dig. The bank account you may save is your own.
I also take lots of photos of the sites. They claim to be within 18" either way, Bullshit. Spent all day looking for a water main befor I could install a culvert. Not even close.
DeleteThat's the first time I've seen an internet connection speed expressed in rpm's.
ReplyDelete