The IUC's Safety and Engineering Bureau is responsible for the regulation of safety of the facilities of electric service providers and electric transmission companies. Electric utilities are inspected by IUC staff for compliance with IUC safety standards.
Safety tips around electric lines
Safety is our top priority. Electricity is an essential part of our daily lives, but to stay safe, it is important to be cautious around electric lines and remember the following guidelines:
- Never touch a downed or hanging power line, and always keep a safe distance.
- Always assume a power line is live (energized) and dangerous.
- Never enter an electrical substation or climb the fences surrounding them; these facilities contain high-voltage equipment that can be deadly.
- Never climb utility poles or trees near power lines.
- Hire a professional to trim trees away from power lines.
- Call 911 immediately if you or someone has been injured.
The IUC relies on community input to report potential hazards. Contact your local electric company immediately if you notice:
- a low-hanging wire
- a leaning or damaged utility pole
- trees or other vegetation growing on or near poles and wires
By reporting these issues, you can help prevent accidents and ensure the safety and reliability of Iowaβs electrical system. Remember, never attempt to address these situations yourself and always leave it to trained professionals from your electric utility.
Searching for Inspection Reports
Inspection reports and utility responses are filed in the IUC's electronic filing system (EFS) in each company's electric reports (RE) docket.
To search for these documents:
- click the EFS link
- select Search from the top navigation menu
- scroll down to Docket Search
When the docket search screen opens:
- select RE - Reports, Electric from the Docket Type drop-down box
- select the company name from the Participants drop-down box
- click the Add button to add the company to the search parameters
After entering the search terms:
- click the Search button to display the company's RE-Docket Summary Page
- click on the Documents in EFS link to display the list of documents on file for that company
Searching for Incident Reports
Incident (or accident) reports are on file in EFS in each company's accidents and outages (H) docket. To search for an incident report:
- click the EFS link
- select Search from the top navigation menu
- scroll down to Docket Search
- open a docket search screen and select H - Accident -- Outages from the Docket Type drop-down box
- select the company name from the Participants drop-down box
- click the Add button to add the company to the search parameters
To narrow the search to electric service incidents only:
- click Electric in the Industry Type box
- enter the search terms
- click the Search button to display the company's H-Docket Summary Page
- click on the Documents in EFS link to display the list of documents on file in that company's H-Docket
Additional electric safety resources
Iowa Electrical Safety Code - 199 Iowa Administrative Code chapter 25
Iowa's One Call Law and printable "what to know" handout (IUC)
Iowa One Call- ticketing portal and locator information
Common Ground Iowa- promoting safety around utilities and damage prevention to underground infrastructure
Call 811 - national 811 campaign
Staying Safe Around Utilities - safety tips (IUC)
IUC Electric Safety Program contacts
Electric Safety & Engineering Bureau
515-725-7300
Media Inquiries
Melissa Myers
Communications Director
melissa.myers@iuc.iowa.gov
515-725-7306