Vol. 6, No. 6, October 2008
THE RETAINING STRUCTURES
ARE GOING UP Concrete CREATIVE ENGINEERING WORKING ON THE NEW AERODROME
People with a powerfull vision
A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR 2008 is already quite advanced. When I tour the jobsites, I can feel the effervescence and see all the effort and cooperation you are putting into making this great project a real success. In fact, the quality of this great team’s work is apparent in how well the work is progressing. The advent of fall and the hazardous conditions it heralds remind us that we have to be twice as careful. It’s up to each and every one of us.
On a completely different note, I would like to draw your attention to the Centraide campaign, which is getting underway again this year. It is a great opportunity to show your generosity and share with the less fortunate. Even a little help can go a long way. Once again, THANK YOU for your invaluable contribution. Normand Béchard, Eng. Director – Eastmain Projects
Marking the end of a major stage KL - On the occasion of the end of rock excavation at the powerhouse and of construction of the temporary dike, the management of the Eastmain-1-A jobsite decided to highlight the efforts of everyone who, since the outset, has been a part of carrying out this great project. On August 13th, workers from all over converged on the cafeteria to celebrate the event. A cocktail and a huge cake in the image of the powerhouse and temporary dike were served. Each worker received a poster honouring the rock sculptors and a copy of the special edition of the monthly Info-Eastmain.
Supervisor - SEBJ Public Relations Yves Barrette / Artistic Director Bionda Miotto / Editor-in-Chief Jimmy Lavoie 819 672-2200, ext. 3853, lavoie.jimmy@hydro.qc.ca Writers Brian Brousseau, Véronique Gagnon-Piquès, Nathalie Girard, Karine Lemay, Liza Perron Contributor Daniel Lacoursière, health and occupational safety Reviser Christine Gervais / Translator Margaret Kane Savage / Graphics Paul Salois Design / Photographer Paul Brindamour / Printer Imprimerie Lebonfon Eastmain Magazine is published by SEBJ Public Relations for the workers of the Eastmain-1-A/Sarcelle/Rupert project. (© SEBJ. All rights reserved.) Internet site: Extranet site: www.extranetsebj.ca Eastmain Magazine is printed on chlorine- and acid-free EcoLogo certified paper, made in Québec, containing 100% post-consumer fibre, manufactured using biogas energy.
2 Eastmain Magazine, October 2008
People with a powerful vision
Concrete work at the powerhouse – Phase 1
KL - Excavation work at the Eastmain-1-A powerhouse ended in September. More than 1,650,000 cubic metres of rock were removed. The crews then began concrete placement in several places and the installation of rock bolts to consolidate the walls of the future powerhouse.
The concrete work at the powerhouse began in September. A few weeks later, in October, the first structural concrete pour took place for each of the powerhouse’s generating units.
Opinaca reservoir
Muskeg substation
Eastmain workcamp Eastmain-1 powerhouse
Eastmain-1-A powerhouse Eastmain 1 reservoir
Eastmain Magazine, October 2008 3
THE JOBSITE IN PICTURES
Eastmain-1-A powerhouse Excavation at the Eastmain-1-A powerhouse
Eastmain-1-A jobsite
Water intake and temporary dike
Penstocks Excavation of the penstocks continues. On September 13th, 25,100 cubic metres of rock had been extracted, which is 68% of the total volume to be removed. The penstocks will be 127 metres long.
Opinaca reservoir
Muskeg substation
Eastmain workcamp Eastmain-1 powerhouse
Eastmain-1-A powerhouse Eastmain 1 reservoir
4 Eastmain Magazine, October 2008
People with a powerful vision
THE JOBSITE IN PICTURES
KL - The excavation of the water intake is coming to an end. In all, more than 260,000 cubic metres of rock will be removed. On September 13th, 35% of the total volume had been extracted.
Rupert diversion jobsite Dikes
Dike LR-28
Canal C-1A Canal C-1
Rupert tailbay
Eastmain 1 reservoir
Digue LR-12A Nemiscau-1 dam
Nemiscau-2 dam Canal C-2 Canal C-3 Arques dike
Dike LR-39
Canal C-4
Dike LR-28
Contractor Fernand Gilbert LimitĂŠe has finished most of the dike construction work that it began during the summer. Only dikes LR-55 and LR-56 are left to go. A little to the north, SBC-EMF has completed construction work on the ten or so dikes that it began early in the season.
Dikes VGP - As freezing temperatures approach, work at the dikes is coming to an end. In fact, several dikes are already finished. EBC-Neilson has completed dike LR-57, the only structure of that type in its contract.
At the tailbay, contractor CCDC has built four dikes. Contractor CRT-Hamel has finished construction of three dikes. For the most part, the other structures are about 80% or more completed, except for dikes LR-09A, LR-09C and LR-12B, which are between 40 and 70% completed.
Lemare dam
Dike LR-39
Canal C-5A Canal C-5 Canal C-6 Canal C-7
Dike LR-57 Rupert dam
Eastmain Magazine, October 2008 5
THE JOBSITE IN PICTURES
Transfer tunnel
Rupert forebay
Rupert workcamp
Rupert diversion jobsite Instream flow release structures
Canals
Construction work is progressing intermittently on the other canals of the Rupert jobsite (C-4, C-3, C-1/C-1A); they are 70 %, 65% and 95% completed, respectively.
Instream flow release structures Lemare instream flow release structure and dike LR-33
Joint venture SBC-EMF has almost completed the Lemare River’s instream flow release structure. The only thing left to finish is the service building, which is 20% completed. Concrete work on the Ruisseau-Arques and Nemiscau-2 instream flow release structures should be completed before winter. The CCDC crews will then work on installing the structures’ electrical and mechanical systems.
Canal C-1A Canal C-1
Nemiscau-1 dam
Nemiscau-2 dam Canal C-2 Canal C-3 Arques dike
Canal C-4
Rupert workcamp Transfer tunnel
Lemare dam
Canal C-5A Canal C-5 Canal C-6 Canal C-7
Nemiscau-2 instream flow release structure Rupert dam
6 Eastmain Magazine, October 2008
People with a powerful vision
THE JOBSITE IN PICTURES
CCDC recently began excavating the canal of the transfer tunnel’s instream flow release structure. The 500-metrelong canal will direct flow toward the tunnel exit.
Rupert tailbay
Sakami Canal
Eastmain 1 reservoir
Rupert forebay
VGP - The excavation of the Sakami canal is now history. The next step is to build a weir inside the canal to maintain a minimum water level in Sakami Lake. JVC and its subcontractor, Cégerco, are therefore preparing for concrete work on the weir.
Rupert dam
Canal C-1A Canal C-1
Rupert tailbay
Rupert diversion jobsite Dams
Eastmain 1 reservoir
Nemiscau-1 dam
Nemiscau-1 dam Nemiscau-2 dam Canal C-2 Canal C-3 Arques dike
Rupert dam Canal C-4
Lemare dam
Lemare dam
Dams VGP - Two of the three dams begun this summer at the Rupert jobsite have now been completed. Nemiscau-1 dam (HQC and Kolo-Veidekke), which has an asphalt concrete core, was completed in early September and backfilling of the Lemare dam (SBC-EMF) ended in late September. Rupert dam, on which
Canal C-5A Canal C-5 Canal C-6 Canal C-7
construction began in mid-August, will be completed soon. As you will recall, the work is being carried out by EBC-Neilson.
Rupert dam
Eastmain Magazine, October 2008 7
THE JOBSITE IN PICTURES
Transfer tunnel
Rupert forebay
Rupert workcamp
Rupert diversion jobsite Transfer tunnel
Canal C-1A Canal C-1
Rupert tailbay
Eastmain 1 reservoir
Nemiscau-1 dam
Nemiscau-2 dam Canal C-2 Canal C-3 Arques dike
Canal C-4
Lemare dam
Canal C-5A Canal C-5 Canal C-6 Canal C-7
Transfer tunnel VGP - Blasting of the bench at the transfer tunnel is moving ahead well. At a rate of two blasts per day and 10 metres per round, SBC’s management expects the excavation work to be completed in
8 Eastmain Magazine, October 2008
November. At press time, a little more than 80% of the tunnel’s 2.9 kilometres had been excavated.
Rupert dam
People with a powerful vision
THE JOBSITE IN PICTURES
Transfer tunnel
Rupert forebay
Rupert workcamp
Sarcelle jobsite
An overview NG - The workcamp, which has more than 240 beds, opened in October. The cafeteria, assembled by Groupe ModSpace Secto, is already in operation and the food service contractor is feeding more than 200 residents. The welcome centre and health centre are also in operation. Constructions Binet workers are currently assembling the buildings where the snack bar and the bar, as well as the fire safety service, will be located. The infrastructures that will contain services such as the information centre and recreation centre should be ready in November. The contractors are getting ready to complete module installation during the winter. Nabashou Construction is brush cutting along the road leading to Sarcelle workcamp and will soon be working on resurfacing it. Other work will be done later, including repairing Opinaca bridge.
Campement de la Sarcelle
Réservoir Opinaca
Centrale de l’Eastmain-1-A Poste Muskeg
Campement de l’Eastmain
Centrale de l’Eastmain-1
Réservoir de l’Eastmain 1
EBC-Neilson began excavating the powerhouse after Eeyou GD Lumberjack Inc., a Wemindji Campement business, completed de la Sarcelle land clearing at the site.
Réservoir Opinaca
Poste Muskeg
Sarcelle powerhouse Sarcelle workcamp
Opinaca reservoir
Centrale de l’Eastmain-1-A Campement de l’Eastmain
Centrale de l’Eastmain-1
Réservoir de l’Eastmain 1
Eastmain-1-A powerhouse Muskeg substation
Eastmain workcamp Eastmain-1 powerhouse
Eastmain Magazine, October 2008 9
THE JOBSITE IN PICTURES
Centrale de la Sarcelle
Concrete, creative engineering 1 KL - Since fall began, concrete has held pride of place at the Eastmain-1-A jobsite. In fact, the contract for concrete work at the powerhouse was awarded to Neilson-EBC at the end of summer. The first pours took place in September and will be continuing over the next year.
A vital, living material, steeped in history More than 5000 years ago, the Ancient Egyptians were already familiar with a concrete mixture of calcined limestone and clay used to cement stones. Although this formula has been around for a long time, the initial development of artificial cement is attributed to a Frenchman, Louis Vicat, in the 19th century. Today, concrete is the material most used in construction. Its properties
10 Eastmain Magazine, October 2008
are astonishing and unique and make it a “vital, living, workable material with great physical durability,” according to Pierre-Charles Drouin, engineer for LVM Technisol.
make asphalt concrete. This binder, less common on Hydro-Québec jobsites, has nevertheless been used at the Rupert jobsite. The core of Nemiscau-1 dam consists of asphalt concrete.
What is the difference between concrete and cement? First, you need to know that concrete is an artificial rock produced from a mixture of cement, water, aggregate (sand and rock) and admixtures. “Cement is to concrete what flour is to cake,” explained Mr. Drouin. Cement is therefore the binder of the concrete. It ensures that the concrete hardens through hydration. When the binder is cement, it is known as cement concrete. However, other binders can be used. The hydrocarbon binder known as “asphalt” is used to
People with a powerful vision
A mixture of materials At the project, the preference is to use Portland cement type LH-HQ (formerly 20M). It is specially designed to meet SEBJ’s needs. It is ideal for large pours, since it has a low heat of hydration, which is key to eliminating the risk of cracks in the material. To manufacture concrete, pure water, free of sediments and chemicals, must be used. The water from the reservoir is therefore just right. The crushed rock is from quarries and the sand, from deposits near the project. Since the concrete only contains about 2% occluded air naturally, using an airentraining admixture is essential. Like a dishwashing detergent, the admixture produces microscopic air bubbles distributed throughout the concrete. The bubbles provide tiny chambers for water to expand into when it freezes in cold weather, to protect the concrete against an increase in volume during freezethaw cycles, and, therefore, increase the concrete’s durability.
Sensitive to temperature variations Finally, the placement and curing of mass concrete is always complex. When it is being placed, temperature variations within the concrete must be respected. To prevent thermal shock, the temperature differential between the core and the surface of mass concrete must not exceed 20°C. There is also a differential to be respected between the surface and the ambient temperature. Depending on temperature and season, the concrete must be cooled or heated to comply with these differentials. That explains why the concrete plant at the jobsite is equipped with an ice-making machine; ice can be incorporated into the mix, if needed. In cold weather, a huge boiler produces hot water and steam that are used to heat up the ingredients used in preparing the concrete.
2 Concrete is omnipresent in civil engineering. It is undoubtedly an ally of man and his ambitions. Photo 1: Construction Polaris concrete plant at the Eastmain-1-A jobsite Photo 2: A Construction Polaris crew testing the first concrete pours near the plant. Photo 3: Pierre-Charles Drouin, resident engineer for LVM Technisol, in a discussion with Rodrigue Lavoie of Construction Polaris.
3
Eastmain Magazine, October 2008 11
Rock excavation Underground
KL - How do you excavate penstocks in a tunnel with a 60° slope? To the man in the street, it’s a mystery. For the workers in charge of excavating the penstocks, on the other hand, it’s quite simple! The underground excavation work is carried out in two stages. First, the pilot holes are driven from the bottom. Then, full face drilling and blasting and excavation of the benches can be done from the top.
Pilot holes from the access tunnel. The three penstocks are nearly 9 metres in diameter. In the sloping segment of each penstock, a 2.44 m x 2.44 m opening is excavated from the elbow of the penstock to the water
intake to form a “pilot hole”. When the entire length of the pilot hole has been driven in the sloping portion, the remainder of the rock can then be extracted starting at the water intake. All the excavation debris falls down the hole and is removed through the access tunnel.
A lift known as an “Alimak” The pilot holes are drilled from a Swedish lift platform known as an “Alimak”. The drills attached to this apparatus, which runs like a monorail, are operated and guided manually. The workers drill the pilot holes and do the blast loading. Excavation from the water intake of the rock remaining in the penstocks has been underway since October.
Unlike this “Alimak” , which is vertical, the one we use at the Eastmain1-A jobsite is an inclined model.
12 Eastmain Magazine, October 2008
People with a powerful vision
New transit point
NG – Workers living at Eastmain and Sarcelle workcamps will be using a new aerodrome as a transit point by the end of 2008. Located about 40 km north of Eastmain workcamp, the Opinaca terminal is already receiving small carriers. The residents of Sarcelle workcamp will only have to travel 60 kilometres to get there, which they will surely appreciate considering that they have to travel 175 kilometres to reach the Nemiscau terminal.
Before the Opinaca terminal can be used as a transit point, the runway must be equipped with various navigational aids, such as runway edge lights and a windsock. Other work includes compacting the runway and installing a building, originally from the Fontanges terminal near Laforge-2 generating station, which is currently in storage at Eastmain workcamp.
About 30 hectares remain to be cleared. Tallyman Roderick Mayappo, from the community of Eastmain, is carrying out the work, which has been underway since September. All these activities will extend from September to December. The aerodrome will be ready to receive Air Creebec planes by the end of 2008.
Sarcelle workcamp Things are moving! NG – Workcamp builders are a very special breed of workers. They are often housed kilometres from their workplace and don’t get to enjoy the newly installed infrastructures and facilities that, for the most part, they themselves installed. Often living in unenviable conditions, without electricity or running water, these workcamp builders are very resourceful.
The atmosphere in a workcamp under construction is pervaded with the solidarity and camaraderie of dedicated people. At Sarcelle workcamp, more than 70 people are living and working side by side in such a setting.
Eastmain Magazine, October 2008 13
RUPERT DAM Pothole luck VGP – Who would have guessed that water, given time, could be so strong? Over thousands of years, it can remodel the hardest of rocks. This refashioning can produce unpleasant surprises, especially, for example, when a riverbed is uncovered, exposing… potholes. Potholes, or kettles, are circular cavities that can be several metres deep. They are drilled in the rocky riverbed by eddying currents of water bearing sand and gravel. With time, the hole traps larger and larger stones that, with the water’s force, continue to erode the rock. Giant’s kettles generally occur in rapids or at the base of a waterfall. When the Rupert River was closed off at the level of the spillway, that is, when the
riverbed was exposed, some potholes were expected. The question was, would they be so big that they would need backfilling? Finally, there were only small potholes, no bigger than a grouting hole, in the rock.
EBC-Neilson crews were able to get the foundation treatment done quickly, and backfilling of the dam is already coming to an end.
DID YOU KNOW?
For the Dene and the Métis of the Northwest Territories, there is another kind of giant’s kettle with a special meaning. The people of these nations leave offerings of tobacco and matches near Rabbitkettle Hotsprings for good luck. As long as the kettle overflows, it’s a sign of good fortune. But when its empty, it’s a bad omen. At least, that’s what they say!
Retaining structures Finishing work on slopes VGP – As summer draws to an end, the contractors at the Rupert jobsite are finalizing the retaining structures they began building in spring. At least forty dikes now fill the natural dips in the land. The finishing work is being done meticulously, to carve structures with perfect slopes.
14 Eastmain Magazine, October 2008
The angle of a slope depends on two factors: the type of finishing material used and its grain size. A riprap slope will be steeper—with a rise (vertical) of 1.6 metres (1.6 V) over a run (horizontal) of 1 metre (1 H)—than a sand or till slope (2.5 V:1 H), since the stone provides better natural stability than the other two materials. As for grain size, the larger the rock, the steeper the slope. What determines whether or not riprap will be used for a structure is the use to which it will be put. Slopes that are subject to wave action and ice friction are made of riprap. In fact, larger stones—from 400 mm to 1,000 mm—are used so that the retreating ice will not drag the rocks along with it. It is also because of ice friction that the rocks are very closely piled together.
People with a powerful vision
Access for future generations Access road to Auclair workcamp
NG – Makaahiikan Construction is finalizing work on the access road to Auclair workcamp. The road begins at Km 22 of the tailbay road and joins the one that crosses the territory under the 735-kV lines.
The new 7-metre wide roadway, which runs for a distance of 5 kilometres, required construction of a bridge. Built by CRT-Hamel, the bridge, which has four central piers and will be completed in October, will cross the Nemiscau River and the future tailbay.
Construction of this new road is necessary because the road under the 735-kV lines will be partially flooded after impoundment of the diversion bays in 2009. The road will provide access to Cree family camps near the Nemiscau River.
Match with hockey legends You can be one of the 45 hockey players who will have the opportunity to cross sticks with the Légendes du hockey (hockey legends) during an exceptional game that will be played on Saturday, December 20th, at Maurice-Richard Arena. “Here he comes, takes it wide past Stéphane Richer, slips it behind Gaston Gingras. He shoots, he scores! What a shot!” Oh yeah! That’s the dream of many a hockey fan! What would you say if it were possible? That dream can now come true with the special Jouez au héros ! (play the hero!) activity. The Centraide Hydro-Québec Équipement/SEBJ campaign is organizing
a fundraising hockey match on December 20, 2008, at Maurice-Richard Arena. During the match, more than 20 exNational Hockey League players (NHL) will be in uniform, and you could be on the ice or in the bleachers. The goal? To raise funds for Centraide. Objective: $100,000. Hydro-Québec has made a commitment to match the amount raised by this activity. Do you want more? Become a salesperson for the chance to be part of the match. The five best salespeople will have a guaranteed spot on one of the two pro teams. The names of forty-five salespeople who have sold at least 20
tickets will be drawn and they, too, will be able to participate in this match and play a 20-minute period with and against former NHL professionals. For more information: Contact Martin Longchamps, 514 286-2020 ext. 2248 Details are available at www.extranetsebj.ca Eastmain Magazine, October 2008 15
From pencils… to turbines! Procurement of goods
Since the Eastmain-1-A/Sarcelle/ Rupert project is huge, the range of goods that SEBJ must acquire extends from pencils to turbines, by way of office furniture, housing units, office supplies, equipment and computers. SEBJ’s automotive equipment, which chiefly consists of pickup trucks, emergency vehicles (ambulance, fire truck) and buses, also falls under this heading. It also covers permanent powerhouse equipment supplied under one contract but installed under another, such as busbars and electrical, telephone and control apparatus.
Services
The services required for the project to operate smoothly are also important. They include, for example, the operation of cafeterias and recreational services, the maintenance of SEBJ’s buildings, security and firefighting, road maintenance and SEBJ vehicle maintenance. Others, just as essential, are not so obvious: plane charters from Air Creebec or other carriers, helicopter charters, fuel supplied by Petronor, land transportation by Kepa Transport, telecommunications etc.
“Despite the size of our team, we get a lot done. And I’m proud of that. Versatility and our client-centred approach are our strengths.”
Tenders, Purchasing and Contracts
Robert Charbonneau, Manager, Tenders, Purchasing and Contracts JL - The small team at SEBJ Tenders, Purchasing and Contracts, based in Montréal, covers a lot of ground. It has to, since it has been involved in the acquisition of all the goods and services of a project costing more than $5 billion. It’s enough to make your head spin! The mandate of SEBJ’s critical Tenders, Purchasing and Contracts sector is to acquire the goods and services necessary to carry out draft-design studies and projects by coming to agreements with third parties or with Hydro-Québec divisions. Managed by Robert Charbonneau at SEBJ head offices in Montréal, this administrative unit is behind all activities to acquire goods, services, professional services and combined goods and services. SEBJ’s Tenders, Purchasing and Contracts team. Standing: Georges Abdouche, Specialist – Professional Service Contracts, Louis Blais, Specialist – Tenders and Contracts, Martin Longchamps, Buyer, Robert Charbonneau, Section Manager, Francyne Loranger, Specialist – Tenders and Contracts, Fernand Charest, Specialist – Tenders and Contracts. Seated: Jessica Montero, Office Clerk – Filing and Archives, Mylène Morin, Secretary, Élizabeth Lamarre, Accounting Clerk and Valérie Turgeon, Office Clerk – Tender Office.
16 Eastmain Magazine, October 2008
People with a powerful vision
Professional services
Another major category is professional services. Since carrying out the Eastmain-1-A/Sarcelle/Rupert project requires specific expertise, SEBJ must have access to a range of specialized services. These include engineering, geological and geotechnical studies, studies and follow-ups of the human and physical environment, and archaeology, to name but a few.
Goods and services The combined goods and services category, the one with the largest dollar value, covers the construction contracts that will result in permanent structures. A contractor does work (services) at a plant or on a jobsite that becomes part of the goods. New workcamp buildings, powerhouses, roads, dams and dikes belong to this category. For Robert Charbonneau, these structures are what will remain once the project has been completed and will stand as reminders of the dedicated and skilled work of thousands of people for generations to come. “Our team is very proud to be a part of it,” he said.
From start to finish
JL - Just like the project, the challenge facing SEBJ’s Tenders, Purchasing and Contracts team is huge. This administrative unit is involved from start to finish in every one of the project’s activity sectors. “It’s a very exciting challenge,” said Robert Charbonneau, Manager – Tenders, Purchasing and Contracts for SEBJ. “We have to be able to satisfy our client while meeting the company’s high quality standards, with ongoing diligence, often within tight deadlines, and do it all while applying market logic to keep costs down. In other words, we mustn’t slow the project down.”
a contract, the crucial step of sounding out the market must be accomplished. Finally, after a contract is awarded, it is managed by the jobsite administrations. “Then we step in again at the end to archive the contract documents,” said Mr. Charbonneau. This last step, which is just as important, must be carried out diligently, since it is important not to lose sight of the fact that the documentation will be used in the future, in litigation before the courts, in particular. The documents have to be both very complete and very simple. “We follow the contract right through to the end,” he said. “And that can take several years.”
Mr. Charbonneau’s team is involved in a contract from start to finish, before it is even awarded, to apportion it. This step is necessary to develop an overall logic that could have consequences on subsequent contracts and reduce costs. Therefore, before calling for tenders and even before thinking about producing
Eastmain Magazine, October 2008 17
Tenders, Purchasing and Contracts
From pencils… to turbines!
“To work together, be successful together” – Lloyd Mayappo NG – Originally from the community of Eastmain, Lloyd Mayappo is very familiar with the area near the Sarcelle jobsite. “I’m from the land under the water. I was born in the area flooded by Opinaca reservoir!” he told me with a smile. Lloyd Mayappo was Chief of the community of Eastmain from 2005 to 2008. He is now Section Manager – Cree Relations (SEBJ) at Sarcelle jobsite. “I was planning to work in the private sector, in construction, but things turned out otherwise. I’m here now, and I’ll be finding jobs for members of the communities in another way.”
man. “My goal is to exercise JBNQA rights, that is, to work together and be successful together! The members of the communities have to take advantage of the opportunity to get experience and acquire skills in the construction industry. They can bring them back to their communities afterwards.” Lloyd Mayappo explained to me that the Crees who live farther north like the Sarcelle jobsite best. “Fathers and mothers will feel a little closer to home. The Sarcelle jobsite will benefit from people’s willingness to work here.”
Before being chief of his community, Lloyd Mayappo was on the band council for almost nine years. He is a human relations
Profile of a driller Stéphane Hovington
Patient, “Ti-gars” explained how his machine works. He showed me the diskettes that have to be inserted into the machine’s disk drive to record drilling plans. He also showed me the various controls used to move the drill’s booms, and explained the difference between a standard drill and the Jumbo. “It’s the same feeling as getting your first computer. It’s a lot more exciting and motivating!”
KL - In my search for people to interview for the Magazine, I took a tour behind the scenes at the future powerhouse, where underground excavation of the penstocks is underway. I was determined not to leave without interviewing someone working down there—in the tunnel, in the dark—who had few opportunities to talk about his job in public. Luck was on my side, because I found “Ti-gars”. I met Stéphane Hovington, aka “Ti-gars”, many metres underground.
18 Eastmain Magazine, October 2008
To talk to “Ti-gars”, you mustn’t be afraid of heights. Stéphane is a driller and operates one of those famous Data 3-boom Jumbo drills. This North Shore native knows his machine well. He admitted to being one of the first people in North America to take the training that allows him to operate it, today.
Before climbing down from the drill, I thanked “Ti-gars” for all his explanations and the time he spent with me. Back on the surface, I realized how much that sophisticated machine had impressed me. You know, the Jumbo looks remarkably like an octopus, with its independently articulated tentacles. Quite simply amazing…
“These Jumbos are from Finland. The first machines of this type to arrive in North America were bound for the Toulnustouc jobsite (2002), near Baie-Comeau.”
People with a powerful vision
Volunteer firefighters Throughout the project VGP – Dany Michaud is the Fire Chief of the Eastmain-1-A/Sarcelle/Rupert project. His crew consists of HydroQuébec industrial safety constables, as front line support, and about 30 volunteers distributed throughout the workcamps. “It’s a change in routine. It’s totally different from the office work I usually do,” said Sébastien Arcand, a volunteer firefighter. “It allows me to contribute to another aspect of the project and I’m learning a lot in the various training sessions,” he added. All the volunteer firefighters receive basic firefighting training. Several also participate in complementary training sessions, such as mine rescue and water rescue. The crews mainly respond to fire alarms, actual fires and traffic accidents. Every year there are about 30 serious incidents, in addition to all the other minor cases, that require assistance from the firefighting service.
Falls According to a recent study by the Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRRST), an occupational health and safety research institute, about 100 workers lose their lives as a result of trauma every year in Québec. Falls from a height, alone, represent nearly 12% of all accidents in the major economic sectors. Falls from the same level should also be mentioned. Every year, slips and falls cause more than 6,456 industrial accidents in Québec. Work absences related to slips and falls result in annual compensation in the order of $25 million.
How to reduce the risk of falls
Control hazards by eliminating or reducing risks. Establish the highest standards in terms of maintenance, lighting and visibility. Define and consolidate the role of supervisors in applying standards. Ensure compliance with standards relating to the prevention of possible causes of slips and falls. Provide equipment in good working order for it to be used properly. Give workers training on ways to avoid slips and falls, in their own interest and in the interest of others. Adapt work methods to time, weather and season.
Admit that it is possible to prevent falls and identify potential risk sites. Eliminate risks related to maintenance work; improve conditions that could involve risks; provide, maintain and use equipment and devices properly to avoid falls; provide, maintain and wear individual protective equipment properly; set up safe work methods. Evaluate the risk of falls and establish standards and expectations. Evaluate potential and actual risk of falls by conducting, for example, a detailed inspection of workstations or by questioning workers.
Several risk factors can lead to falls. The most frequent are lack of training and information, poor work methods and a flaw in the management of health and safety. The employer must plan, coordinate and lead work properly. This includes identifying and solving problems in advance, seeing to it that workers apply appropriate work methods and reminding workers about the safety measures that they must comply with. Eastmain Magazine, October 2008 19
So where does the name “Rupert” come from? To understand how the river and the workcamp got their name, you have to go back to the 16th century, to the very beginning of the Europeans’ search for the legendary Northwest Passage. LP - In 1610, Henry Hudson set out to find and map this maritime route. He never succeeded. His quest led to the discovery of the saltwater body that bears his name, Hudson Bay, as well as to the conquest of a territory whose wildlife resources have attracted so many. In 1667, Radisson, an explorer, managed to turn the fur trade into a legal activity. The efforts of this early coureur des bois were supported by Charles II, the King of England. The Hudson’s Bay Company was created with, at its head, none other than Prince Rupert, the king’s cousin, as its first governor. Two ships set sail from England, but only one crossed the ocean. It anchored at the mouth of the Rupert River in September 1668. The first trading post was set up on the very site where the village of Waskaganish now stands. Once known as Rupert House or Fort Rupert, Waskaganish is Québec’s oldest Cree village. Waskaganish means “little house”. Prince Rupert, a colourful character with an adventurous personality, was also an artist, chemist and protector of arts and sciences. He is credited with several inventions, including Prince Rupert’s Drops, glass teardrops that explode when the tail is cracked. They are an early forerunner of tempered glass. He also invented a modified copper alloy, known as Prince’s Metal, apparently used in manufacturing gun barrels. Rumour has it that the list of his creations also includes a motor able to recover undersea treasure… and a torpedo.