At Dakota Electric, we are committed to a culture of safety that is integral to our daily operations. Our lineworkers are required to always wear personal protective equipment when on the job. This includes special fire-resistant clothing, which limits potential injuries from burns and sparks. Insulated rubber gloves and sleeves are worn in tandem to protect from electrical shock. Our safety team regularly discusses important safety issues pertaining to work within the office as well as out in the field.

Dakota Electric is also part of a national accreditation program, Rural Electric Safety Achievement Program (RESAP), which evaluates cooperatives on their safety procedures, system inspections and maintenance, training and public education. RESAP is one of the few programs in the country that provides electric cooperatives a management tool for continuous safety and loss control assessment.

Dakota Electric’s concern for safety extends beyond our employees. We care deeply about the safety of our members and encourage the public to call 911 if they see a downed power line or any other type of dangerous electrical situation. We strive to provide our communities with safe, reliable and affordable electricity and to serve as your trusted energy advisor, now and well into the future.

Always assume a downed power line is energized. Downed lines can energize the ground up to 35 feet away.