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.

Compulsory face coverings

As of July 18, in order to comply with the government order in council, all employees of suppliers who wish to access a Hydro-Québec facility (building, covered facility, generating station, etc.) or jobsite must wear a face covering, at the very least in the elevators, lobbies and reception areas. We are counting on your cooperation to respect this measure.

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:

• The employee has one or more flu‑like symptoms: unusual cough, fever (reaching or exceeding 100.4°F/38.0°C), breathing difficulties or sudden loss of smell and taste without nasal congestion.
• A member of the employee’s household has one or more of these symptoms.
• The employee has COVID-19 or is waiting for their test results.
• The employee was in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 (excluding contact with anyone who has recovered) or who is waiting for their test results.
• The employee has received recommendations from public health authorities for a follow‑up in the past 14 days.
• The employee or a member of their household has travelled outside the country in the past 14 days.

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

According to the Québec government, people aged 70 and over are more at risk of dying from complications associated with COVID-19. The government therefore generally recommends that they stay home. Consequently, and in order to protect the health and safety of its employees aged 70 and over, Hydro-Québec does not authorize people in this age group to go to their workplace.

However, if a supplier’s employee aged 70 or over is essential to the supplier’s ability to provide its services and this employee wishes to work in one of Hydro-Québec’s facilities, the supplier is responsible for taking all necessary measures in this regard.

The recommendations therefore include, but are not limited to, the supplier obtaining their employee’s consent to work in the context of the pandemic. This consent should at the very least provide the following:

• The employee acknowledges that they have been informed of the risks regarding COVID-19 for people aged 70 and over.
• The employee freely and voluntarily agrees to work because they recognize that the risks associated with COVID-19 do not constitute a danger for their health, safety and physical integrity.

The supplier may be required to provide Hydro-Québec with said consent before the employee in question goes to one of its facilities.

Required health declaration

Every day, upon arriving at a Hydro‑Québec facility (building, covered facility, generating station, 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 is done at the building or jobsite’s entrance. Where such a facility does not exist, the health declaration must be done by contacting the Hydro‑Québec manager in charge of the work to be carried out.

The supplier’s employee will be asked to leave the premises immediately if they are showing any COVID-19 symptoms or if they have tested positive for the virus. If they show symptoms or 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, the supplier must immediately advise the Hydro‑Québec representative in charge of managing the contract of the situation.

Group travel organized by Hydro‑Québec

If, as part of your activities, you use a means of transport organized by Hydro‑Québec (plane, bus, etc.), your temperature will be taken before you board. Any employee or worker who presents with a fever (38.0°C/100.4°F or higher) will not be permitted to use group transportation.

Poster – Pre-boarding instructions [PDF 181 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 157 Ko – in French only]

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