Section 196.72. Accidents; public utility report; investigation.
Latest version.
- (1)(a) The commission may issue orders or rules, after hearing, requiring public utilities to record or report accidents which occur upon the public utilities' premises or which arise directly or indirectly from, or are connected with, the public utilities' maintenance or operation.(b) Notwithstanding any statute to the contrary, any report filed with the commission under par. (a) shall be without prejudice to the person making the report and shall be for the sole information and use of the commission and its staff. Neither the report nor its content may be made available to any other person. The report may not be used as evidence in any trial, civil or criminal, arising out of the event concerning which the report is submitted.(2) The commission shall investigate any accident under sub. (1) if the commission deems that the public interest requires it. The commission shall hold the investigation in the locality of the accident, unless it is more convenient to hold it at some other place. The commission may adjourn the investigation from place to place. The commission shall give the public utility reasonable notice of the time and place of the investigation.