Electrical Safety

Call Before You Dig (811)

811 is a federally-mandated national “Call Before You Dig” number that helps protect you from unintentionally hitting vital underground utility lines while working on digging projects. The service is free and helps protect you from injury and prevents damages to vital infrastructure, service disruptions and potential fines and repair costs.

Every digging job—from planting a tree or garden to installing a fence or in-ground swimming pool—requires a call. To find out where utility lines run on your property, dial 811 or 1-800-522-6543 (or submit a request online at www.callokie.com two to 10 business days before you dig. The information will be dispatched to all companies with underground facilities in the immediate area.

Prior notification (48 hours) of excavation and location of underground facilities are required by law. Those who choose to ignore the danger by failing to follow the law may face legal enforcement and fines.

Approved Generator Connections or Distributors

Portable generators are useful when temporary or remote electric power is needed, but they can be hazardous: Electrocution, fire and carbon monoxide poisoning are all potential consequences of improper generator use.bTransfer switches are the only safe way to connect a standby generator to your home’s electrical system. OEC approves two ways to connect a stand-by generator:

Double Pole Double Throw transfer switch
- Must be installed by a licensed electrician
GenerLink
- Can be purchased from Global Power Products at www.generlink.com or a Generlink Authorized Reseller.
- Members must complete OEC’s GenerLink Installation Agreement and return it to the co-op’s Engineering Department prior to installation.

Storms and Outages

When severe weather threatens, OEC takes precautionary steps in the event of system damage and power outages. From monitoring the weather to identifying crews—both linemen for repairs and customer service experts to take calls—and, if necessary, accessing additional assistance from contractors or neighboring co-ops, OEC takes the necessary steps to ensure we can respond quickly and efficiently.

Any time a widespread outage occurs, our primary goal is to restore power safely to the greatest number of members in the shortest time possible. Repair crews start at the substations and methodically work their way down the distribution lines restoring service to main feeder lines, tap lines, which serve groups of homes, and finally individual services.

Individual households that may receive special attention are homes where loss of electricity affects life support. If you, or a permanent member of your household, have a life threatening condition that requires uninterrupted electrical service, please download the Verification of Life Threatening Condition Form, have it completed and signed by a medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or county medical director, and return it to OEC as soon as possible. Our office location, mailing address, and fax number can be found on the Contact Us page.

Whether your home loses power as a result of an isolated instance or a major storm, please be assured OEC crews are working diligently and as safely as possible to restore power as quickly as possible. Use this link to report an outage online via SmartHub or call 405-321-2024; emergency dispatchers are available 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year.

Teaching Safety to Children

Safety is paramount at OEC, not only for our employees, but for the public at large. One of our top priorities is raising awareness of potential hazards and the importance of electrical safety.

These informative safety videos help students understand the basic concepts of electricity and teaches them how to recognize unsafe situations and the appropriate steps to take to stay safe.

Electricity Basics – Learn where electricity comes from, how it gets to your lights, and why it’s so important to use it safely.