Power Line Safety / Safety Services

The culture of safety is ingrained in all employees, at all levels of the Cooperative. The Sioux Valley Energy board, its managers and supervisors truly believe that safety should be second nature in the organization. That means when decisions are made in the board room, safety of all employees and customers is always considered.

Sioux Valley Energy also expects employees to undergo a significant amount of safety training. In fact, apprentice lineworkers are required to have a one year technical degree, must accumulate 8,000 hours of on-the-job-training, and need to complete and pass 10 tests a year. Journey lineworkers take part in all OSHA-required training courses. Ten months out of the year, all Sioux Valley employees attend a one-day safety meeting.

ALWAYS ASSUME A LINE IS ENERGIZED - STAY CLEAR! Call the cooperative if you see a downed power line, a broken pole, or a limb, kite or other debris across or near a power line.

If you happen to have a vehicle accident involving a power line, the safest place to stay is in the vehicle until emergency assistance arrives. Unless there is imminent danger--such as a fire, you should remain in the vehicle. If you must leave the vehicle, jump clear, landing with both feet on the ground at the same time and hop away.

Safety Services

SIOUX VALLEY ENERGY offers several services that are intended to keep you safe. Before you start that spring project that requires digging learn about our underground locating services. Also, if you have a tree that seems to be drooping into an electric line, please contact us.

√ TREE TRIMMING SERVICES

For efficient and safe operation of equipment and power lines, right-of-way clearing of trees and brush is essential. Branches that come in contact with power lines can be potential fire hazards or can lead to reduced reliability because of unnecessary outages. Sioux Valley Energy rotates a treetrimming crew through its service territory every 4 1/2 years. The cooperative will also respond to member requests to safely remove branches/brush from powerlines. Do NOT try to cut down or remove vegetation yourself if it is within the vicinity of a power line.

√ UNDERGROUND LOCATING SERVICE

Before you plan to dig, you are required by law to contact the underground locating service by dialing 811 at least 48 hours (not including holidays or weekends) prior to digging. This service is free of charge to the public and is meant to protect you and others from electrical contact and potential injury.

√ HOUSE, BUILDING AND EQUIPMENT MOVE SERVICE

Every year Sioux Valley Energy assists with safely moving houses through its service territory by making special arrangements for electrical services that may be in the way of the large structure. As per state law, SVE requires a 48 hour notice prior to each house move along with a deposit that can be made at one of our service centers or can be given to a line worker on site. Deposit amounts are based on the number of miles the house will be traveling and the loaded height of the house. Any additional costs will be billed following the move and any excess funds from the deposit will be refunded in the form of a check.

√ 24-HOUR DISPATCH CENTER

Sioux Valley Energy has 24 hour, seven days a week, 365 days a year, in-house dispatching services for customers and line workers. That means when you call in to report an electrical outage, you'll have the satisfaction of speaking to a friendly, courteous "real person". Occasionally, when a wide-spread storm disrupts service to hundreds or thousands of customers at the same time, your call may be answered by a computerized system. Our dispatchers are able to answer after-hour questions and can forward messages for more detailed questions to be answered the following business day.