COVID-19 (coronavirus)

Preventive measures to be taken by suppliers

These measures cover all ongoing projects and tender calls, whether they are for construction activities or the provision of professional goods and services.

High-quality medical masks and masks with BNQ attestation

High-quality medical masks and masks with attestation from the Bureau de normalisation du Québec (BNQ) must be worn in compliance with the directives in effect in the workplace. Visit the websites of the CNESST and the Québec government for more information on current standards for wearing masks in the workplace in different regions.

You must wear a mask at all times when you cannot keep a distance of one metre from other people.

This measure concerns all employees, visitors and suppliers in Hydro-Québec buildings and facilities, including common areas.

Certain situations may require other types of personal protection equipment.

Isolation measures for workers

It is the supplier’s responsibility to take all necessary measures concerning its personnel in accordance with government and CNESST directives, and in particular with respect to the isolation of employees experiencing symptoms of the virus.

If one of the following situations applies to you or to one of your employees, immediate self‑isolation is required:

1. The employee has one or more of the primary COVID-19 symptoms.
   • Consult the symptoms on the Symptoms, transmission and treatment page of the Quebec.ca site
2. The employee has tested positive for COVID-19.
3. A representative from the Public Health Agency of Canada or from Québec public health authorities told the employee to self-isolate for a certain period of time.

Employees who have been in close contact with someone (whether or not in the same household) who has tested positive for COVID-19:

They no longer have to self-isolate. Instead, they must monitor for symptoms, wear a mask at all times for 10 days following their contact with the person and avoid close contact with other people.

If you do not meet any of these criteria, you are not required to self-isolate. We recommend that you follow all established health measures.

For any questions related to COVID-19, including symptoms, call 1 877-644-4545, or 644-4545 preceded by the area code in your community. If necessary, the resource person will recommend that you call 811.

In addition:

• If employees are able to work from home, and the nature of their duties allow for it, Hydro‑Québec can offer this possibility to suppliers. Otherwise, the suppliers must bear the costs associated with the loss of the resources.
• Suppliers’ employees who deliver or pick up goods are authorized to access Hydro‑Québec facilities.

Employees aged 70 and over

Although public health measures continue to mandate telework, age is no longer a criterion that can be used to exclude employees from working on site.

People aged 70 and over who cannot do telework are authorized to work on site as long as the company is making every effort to apply the preventive measures required to protect the health of employees and to ensure their safety and physical well-being.

Required health declaration

Upon arriving at a Hydro-Québec facility (buildings, covered facilities, generating stations, etc.) or at a jobsite where Hydro-Québec is the prime contractor, the supplier’s representative must assess their health according to the previously-mentioned elements.

The health declaration must be made every day to the Hydro‑Québec manager in charge of the work to be carried out. It can be made in writing or verbally according to the methods agreed upon (e.g.: email, text, form, daily meeting at the start of every shift, etc.).

All the supplier’s employees will be asked to leave the premises immediately if they are showing COVID-19 symptoms or have tested positive. If they have tested positive and have been in close contact with Hydro Québec employees or have been in a Hydro Québec facility or jobsite in the previous days, they must immediately advise the Hydro Québec manager.

Indoor gatherings

When possible, Hydro-Québec recommends that the teams out in the field hold virtual meetings. During a gathering, all those present must observe the required social distancing of one metre. The number of people is determined by the room capacity and required preventive measures

Group travel organized by Hydro‑Québec

Employees who use a means of transportation organized by Hydro-Québec as part of their work must comply with a number of measures.

Air transport

Passengers who travel on a chartered Hydro-Québec aircraft must:

• be double vaccinated and present their vaccine passport as of October 30, 2021 (information on the other terms and conditions: Government of Canada website);

  ATTENTION

  The traveler must have received:

  • the full series of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine, or any approved combination of such vaccines; and
  • their last dose at least 14 full days prior to the travel day.

  Anyone who fails to comply with this requirement will be refused boarding on the flight and may be subject to a fine of $5,000 by Transport Canada.

• wear a high-quality medical mask or BNQ-certified mask at the airport and for the duration of the flight.

Any person with symptoms of COVID-19 shall not be allowed to board the aircraft. Any person who begins to experience symptoms while in flight shall be given instructions from the flight crew to ensure the health and safety of the other passengers.

More information on the pre-boarding instructions [PDF 168 kB – in French only]

Ground transport

• When traveling in a Hydro-Québec vehicle, passengers must wear a high-quality medical mask or BNQ-certified mask at all times.
• There must be proper ventilation in the vehicle at all times (open windows or mechanical ventilation).
• Recirculating air is prohibited and so is the use of MAX A/C.

Other prevention measures

To prevent the spread of the virus, we ask that you:

• Follow hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette measures in all circumstances.
• Observe social distancing of one metre when the nature of the work permits. When this is not possible, additional measures must be taken to protect workers.
• Wear and maintain the personal protective equipment required to complete your tasks.
• Ensure that objects touched frequently are regularly cleaned and repeatedly disinfected (your contract administrator will provide specifications as needed).

Please consult the following document outlining the rules in effect at Hydro-Québec:

Résumé des mesures de santé-sécurité à prendre dans le cadre de la réalisation des travaux [PDF 227 kB – in French only]

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Hydro‑Québec representative who manages your contract.