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 based on the alert level of 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.

Regardless of the level of alert, you must wear a mask at all times when you cannot keep a distance of two metres 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 main symptoms of COVID-19:
   • Signs of fever, flu-like chills or a temperature taken orally of 38.1°C (100.6°F) or higher
   • Recent cough or chronic cough that has recently worsened
   • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
   • Sudden loss of smell with no nasal congestion (with or without loss of taste)
   • Sore throat
   • Runny nose* or nasal congestion due to an unknown or unusual cause

   OR
   The employee has at least two of the following seven symptoms:

   • Unusual and intense fatigue with no apparent cause
   • Generalized muscle soreness or unusual aches (not caused by physical exertion)
   • Unusual headache
   • Significant loss of appetite
   • Nausea or vomiting
   • Diarrhea
   • Stomach ache

   Employees who experience symptoms at work must self-isolate and call the Hydro-Québec COVID-19 INFO line at 514 289-2977 (weekdays 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. and weekends 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

   *Employees who have a runny nose or nasal congestion caused by an unknown or unusual cause (e.g., allergies) must call the Hydro-Québec COVID-19 INFO line. A health assessment must be conducted before confirming an exclusion from the workplace.

2. The employee or a member of their household has tested positive for COVID-19.
3. The employee was in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 and is not yet healed.
4. Public health authorities have recommended that the employee self-isolate.
5. The employee has travelled outside the country in the past 14 days.
6. A member of the employee’s household has symptoms listed above AND is waiting for COVID-19 test results.

As soon as an employee answers “yes” to one of the situations described above, they must inform the Hydro‑Québec manager in charge of the work to be carried out and return home.

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

Hydro-Québec recommends that the teams out in the field hold virtual meetings.

If, for an exceptional reason, a gathering is authorized, all those present must observe the required social distancing of two metres. The number of people is determined by the room capacity and required preventive measures.

Group travel organized by Hydro‑Québec

If, as part of their work, employees use a means of transport organized by Hydro-Québec (plane, bus, etc.), their temperature will be taken before they board. On a Hydro-Québec flight, temperatures will be taken when travelling from the south to the north. Any employee who has a fever (38.0°C/100.4°F or higher) will not be permitted to use group transportation.

For safety reasons, the driver of a vehicle must wear safety glasses, since a face shield makes it impossible to see blind spots. They must ensure good ventilation in the vehicle at all times (open windows or mechanical ventilation). Recirculating the air is prohibited.

Poster – Pre-boarding instructions [PDF 255 kB – in French only]

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 two metres 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 238 Ko – in French only]

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