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 procedural face mask

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, including residences in remote regions and trailers, must wear a procedural face mask in the lobbies, reception areas, traffic areas, cafeterias and elevators, whether physical distancing of two metres is possible or not. We are counting on your cooperation to respect this measure.

In the workplace, when a distance of two metres cannot be maintained, the employee is required to wear a procedural mask AND eye protection (safety glasses or face shield).

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:
   • Fever (reaching or exceeding 38.0°C or 100.4°F)
   • A new cough
   • Trouble breathing
   • Sudden loss of smell or taste without nasal congestion

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

   • Unusual and intense fatigue with no apparent cause
   • Unusual muscle pains or aches with no apparent cause
   • Unusual headache
   • Loss of appetite
   • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea in the previous 12 hours
   • Sore throat with no apparent cause

   *For example: nausea = one symptom; nausea + diarrhea = one symptom; nausea + unusual headache = two symptoms

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.

In addition, the following exclusion criterion applies if an employee has to enter a residence or a Hydro-Québec workcamp:

6. A member of their household or a person with whom they were in close contact has the symptoms indicated above AND is waiting for their test result for COVID-19.

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

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

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 251 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 166 Ko – in French only]

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