We have to cut seals all the time. If a customer is having electrical issues we are there to fix it. PoCo would come kill power to the house and tell the homeowner they need to hire a licensed electrician.
Don't really see a problem with working on it live either. I would of done the basic same thing, but replaced the PVC with just a taped blue wire nut. Probably no gloves and definitely no taping on the utility knife.
Call PoCo and get the damaged meter replaced.
Around here we are responsible for everything except the drop coming from the pole.
Now changing out a complete meter can on a live under ground feed, that gets the nerves going.
