Death of Hydro-Québec Worker Prompts Review of Health and Safety Practices

Death of Hydro-Québec Worker Prompts Review of Health and Safety Practices

January 13, 2017

Following the death of a worker on December 9, 2016, a special committee put in place by Hydro-Québec’s Board of Directors has hired international firm ERM to analyze the utility’s health and safety practices and ensure that all jobsites meet its standards.

The worker died after a rockface collapsed over his mechanical shovel while he was doing excavation work on the Romaine River. The hydro-electric scheme, valued at $6.5 billion, involves diverting the Romaine River at points along a 150-kilometre stretch to create four reservoirs. The worksite is located on Quebec’s North Shore about 200 kilometres east of Sept-Iles. Shown in photo: access road to the fatality site.

Hydro-Québec’s management will work closely with ERM specialists. Based on its on-site observations of the utility’s practices, particularly those in place at the Romaine jobsite, ERM will report regularly to the special committee and present its recommendations no later than spring 2017.

ERM is a global provider of environmental, health, safety, risk, social consulting services and sustainability-related services. It has over 160 offices in more than 40 countries and territories, employing 4,500 people.

Related Articles


Latest Articles


Changing Scene

  • Delta Transformers Appoints New Representative in Ontario

    Delta Transformers Appoints New Representative in Ontario

    October 8, 2026 Delta Transformers, a Canadian manufacturer of dry-type transformers, is pleased to announce the appointment of Spectrum Power Systems as their new representative in Ontario, Canada, effective October 1st, 2026. For over 27 years Spectrum Power Systems has been representing leading electrical manufacturers throughout Ontario. The company has a strong presence in the… Read More…

  • Former Electrical Contractor Principal Arrested Following ESA Referral to Police

    Former Electrical Contractor Principal Arrested Following ESA Referral to Police

    October 8, 2026 Arrest follows ESA licence revocation, $70,000 in previous fines and new electrical safety charges   Peel Regional Police recently arrested Rahyl Hassan, principal of former Licensed Electrical Contractor, Strak Holdings Inc., following an investigation in which the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) cooperated with police.  ESA referred concerns about potential criminal activity to Peel… Read More…

  • Federal Government Announces $2 billion Investment to Deliver One Million Home Retrofits Across Canada

    Federal Government Announces $2 billion Investment to Deliver One Million Home Retrofits Across Canada

    October 8, 2026 The federal government has announced a $2 billion investment to deliver one million home retrofits across Canada. These energy-efficient retrofits will lower heating costs for Canadians and reduce emissions. First, they are launching a new National Heat Pump Rebate to help up to 820,000 households make the switch to more efficient electric heat pumps: Heat pumps… Read More…

  • FCM and the Government of Canada Announce $66.3 M in 162 Energy Efficient Housing Projects

    FCM and the Government of Canada Announce $66.3 M in 162 Energy Efficient Housing Projects

    September 8, 2026 Funding supports homeowners and affordable housing providers in reducing energy costs and improving quality of life, while adding jobs to communities coast-to-coast  The Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) today announced that $66.3 million in funding has been approved for 162 energy efficiency projects across the country. The… Read More…