Manager Connection - Safety

Safety isn’t a poster on the breakroom wall, or a checklist we run through once a year. 

At Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric, safety is a culture—a shared set of values, habits, and expectations that shape how every employee approaches every task, every day. A true safety culture means safety isn’t something we do; it’s something we are. 

What does “Safety Culture really mean?

A safety culture exists when safe behavior becomes second nature rather than a rule imposed from above. It shows up in the small moments: a lineworker double-checking a grounding procedure even when running behind schedule, a coworker speaking up when something looks off, a new employee feeling comfortable asking questions instead of guessing. It’s built on trust, communication, and the belief that everyone—from the newest apprentice to the general manager—shares responsibility for getting home safely at the end of the day. 

This kind of culture doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the product of consistent training, open communication, and leadership that backs up its words with action. 

Investing in our employees

Working around high-voltage electricity is inherently dangerous, which is why Steele-Waseca invests heavily in ongoing training for our crews. Throughout the year, our employees participate in: 

• Pole-top and bucket rescue training, so crews are prepared to respond quickly if a coworker is injured while working aloft. 

• Chainsaw safety, essential for the right-of-way and storm-cleanup work our crews regularly perform. 

• First aid and CPR certification, ensuring trained responders are on hand at job sites and in our offices. 

• Ongoing competency and skills training, keeping crews current on evolving equipment, procedures, and industry best practices. 

Safety training goes beyond line work, too. We also focus on: 

• Traffic safety, since many of our crews work along roadsides and highways. 

• Health and wellness initiatives, including back safety, hearing protection, and fatigue recognition—because a healthy employee is a safer employee. 

• Workplace safety basics, such as fire safety in our offices, warehouses, and substations. 

Together, these programs reflect a simple philosophy: safety training is never “finished.” It’s a continuous investment in the people who keep the light on for our members. 

Extending safety to the public

Our responsibility doesn’t stop at the edge of our service trucks. Farmers, contractors, emergency responders, and everyday members regularly work and play near power lines and equipment—often without realizing the risks involved. That’s why public electrical safety education is a core part of our mission. 

Steele-Waseca offers safety demonstrations and educational programs designed to teach members, local contractors, and community groups what to do—and what not to do—around power lines. Whether it’s understanding safe clearance distances for farm equipment, knowing how to respond if a vehicle contacts a downed line, or recognizing the hazards of working near overhead lines during construction or roofing projects, this education can prevent life-changing accidents. 

A shared responsibility

Building and maintaining a genuine safety culture takes ongoing commitment from everyone—our employees, our board, and our members. As summer activity winds down and harvest activity picks up across our service territory, we encourage everyone to slow down, look up, and think before working near power lines or equipment. 

Safety is not a destination; it’s a daily practice. At Steele-Waseca, we’re proud of the culture our employees have built, and we remain committed to sharing that same commitment to safety with the members and communities we serve. 1074482

For more electrical safety resources, visit Safe Electricity at www.safelectricity.org.