Working on the Site

This program aims to provide a framework for safely performing any work that produces flames, sparks, smoke, or heat during maintenance, servicing, repair, construction, assembly/disassembly, installation, or adjustment on Port of Québec property. Planning, execution, and supervision are all critical steps.

In particular, you must :

• inform your operator of the nature of the work to be done.
• have trained personnel to carry out the hot work and provide supervision.
• make sure the hot work equipment is compliant.
• cover openings in floors, walls, etc.
• clearly mark the zones where hot work is permitted.
• issue hot work permits (valid for 24 hours).
• inspect work areas and remove, clean up, or move any potentially flammable or combustible materials.
• have a sufficient number of fire extinguishers.
• maintain a continuous fire watch during the work and for 30 minutes thereafter.
• carry out periodic checks at least 1 hour after work is completed, and up to 4 hours if necessary.
• clean up the area after the work is done.
• give the hot work permit to the operator.

See the framework program.

Anyone entering or supervising a confined space must be qualified and properly trained in preventive measures as well as the associated risks, the roles of the different parties, and the use of rescue equipment.

A hazardous confined space :

1. Is fully or partially enclosed
2. Is neither designed nor intended for continuous human occupancy
3. Has limited or restricted entrances or exits, or a layout that can complicate first aid, rescue, evacuation, or other emergency response activities
4. Has hazards that are likely to cause injury or illness or compromise the health of
   anyone who enters, leaves, or spends time within it.

Planning and executing entry :

• Inform your operator of the nature of the work to be done.
• Have trained personnel to carry out the work and provide the necessary supervision.
• Have a rescue plan before anyone enters.
• Have the right equipment for confined-space work and rescue (tripods, davits, winches, safety harnesses, etc.).
• Set up a security perimeter.
• Hold a confined space permit.
• Perform atmospheric monitoring of the confined space before entry and continuously while someone is inside.
• Install local ventilation, if necessary, to extract gases that may have accumulated in the confined space.
• Call emergency services (911) and the Harbour Master’s Office immediately in the event of an emergency.

Document to come. In the meantime, please contact the OHS team for your questions.

Anyone working on machinery, equipment, electrical installations, or processes must implement zero-energy procedures to protect workers’ lives and safety. Lockout devices must be put on energy isolating devices. Lockout devices use a single-key padlock to hold energy isolating devices in a position that prevents power from being supplied to a machine, piece of equipment, electrical installation, or process.

Anyone who needs to lock out or de-energize equipment must be qualified and properly trained in preventive measures as well as the associated risks, the roles of the different parties, and the use of lockout equipment.

For work on Québec Port Authority electrical equipment, a lockout request must be made to the maintenance team or OHS team. Lockout sheets must be filled out for each machine or piece of equipment. A Port of Québec electrician will lock out and de-energize the machine or piece of equipment, then the other parties will put their personal locks on the identified lockbox. Labels identifying the work and the people performing the lockout work are required.

Document to come. In the meantime, please contact the OHS team for your questions.

“Work at height” is defined as work being done:

• On a vehicle or structure three or more metres above the ground
• Three or more metres up a ladder, if the task prevents the worker from being able to hold on with at least one hand
• Less than three metres above the ground, if the surface on which the person could fall would entail a greater risk of injury than a solid, flat surface.

Anyone required to work at height must be qualified and properly trained in preventive measures and fall protection methods, as well as the associated risks and the roles of the different parties.

A personal fall protection device must be worn and attached to a certified anchor point unless there is collective fall protection (such as guardrails) in place.

All equipment for working at height must comply with current regulations and be checked before each use.

When working on a lift or elevating platform (such as a scissor lift or boom lift) on Port of Québec property, workers are required to wear harnesses attached to the lift’s anchor point.

Document to come. In the meantime, please contact the OHS team for your questions.

All hoisting operations involving a crane

Anyone required to do hoisting work must be qualified and properly trained in preventive measures and crane use, as well as the associated risks and the roles of the different parties.

Hoisting by crane requires careful planning:

• Applying for hoisting permits (see below)
• Ensuring that the hoisting equipment is legally compliant, has certificates of compliance, and is inspected before use
• Assessing the environmental conditions before hoisting
• Holding pre-hoisting meetings
• Establishing safety perimeters
• Having a trained signaller on site who is the only one to communicate with the crane operator
• Assessing the material to be hoisted against the crane’s capacity
• Avoiding moving loads over workers’ heads

Requesting a hoisting permit from the QPA

Anyone who wishes to hoist materials on a wharf or request an exemption from a restriction must apply to [email protected] before the work is done. The QPA will respond within 48 business hours.

The application must include the following information, at a minimum:

• Intended wharf
• Date of the work
• Nature of the work
• Equipment used (make and model of crane/boom truck)
• Weight of load to be hoisted
• Hoisting/positioning plans
• Ground bearing pressure plan
• Constraints (if any)

The application must comply with the load restrictions in force (please refer to the sector plans and available sheets). While the sheets mention cranes, they in no way give permission to hoist. They are only intended to help users make choices and determine positioning before submitting their applications.

Document to come. In the meantime, please contact the OHS team for your questions.

The drone procedure governs drone flights on Port of Québec property to:

• Keep everyone safe
• Protect the privacy of citizens and workers
• Ensure professional secrecy
• Avoid damage
• Ensure that drones and pilots follow regulations

Process :

Applications to the Port Authority should include the following.

• Permit application
• Transport Canada drone registration certificate
• Pilot’s certificate
• Flight plan
• Certificate of liability insurance
• For flights on wharves 105/106/107/108: You must apply to NAV Canada, as the sector is located in the Québec City airport’s air corridors.

If your drone weighs less than 250 grams:

• You do not need a drone pilot certificate or a Transport Canada drone registration certificate.
• You must still submit an application with your:
  • Permit application
  • Flight plan
  • Certificate of liability insurance

Full procedure and permits PDF