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Safety information for contractors

A BC Hydro Power Line technician working on a power line

Safety requirements essential for contractors

The information on this page is for prospective BC Hydro contractors who plan to bid for work.

Are you a prospective or current BC Hydro contractor?

Contractors who are working for or who intend to work for BC Hydro must be compliant with WorkSafeBC and other relevant legislative and regulatory practices.

As a contractor working for BC Hydro, you must be fully aware of the high risk work activities that carry the greatest threat of serious injury or death.

Current BC Hydro contractors

If you're already working for BC Hydro under a contract, you must ensure you're accessing the most recent, detailed information available via our contractor Safety Extranet. Extranet access will be arranged by your BC Hydro representative once work has been awarded.

Alcohol & drug policy for contractors performing work at or for BC Hydro

Contractor COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement (Policy Terminated)

This Contractor COVID-19 Vaccination Policy is terminated as of April 17, 2023. Please contact your BC Hydro contract representative if you have any questions.

Note: Some Indigenous communities and third-party sites may still require proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Contractors are responsible for adhering to the requirements if asked to work at these locations. 

Prospective contractors

If you're a prospective contractor bidding for work with BC Hydro, please refer to the Certificate of Recognition (COR) [PDF, 263 KB] requirements and safety information below, including the Life Saving Rules briefing package for contractors. The information highlights the importance of safety at BC Hydro and the safety requirements that must be observed.

Safety information for prospective contractors

Contractors working for BC Hydro are responsible to work to the expectations specified in their contract, including adherence to BC Hydro rules and standards.

Our most current safety policies and procedures can be found on the Safety Extranet, a password-protected area that's available once a contract is awarded.

Here are some examples of our primary safety information:

Note: Our most current safety information including policies and procedures can be found on our contractor Safety Extranet once a contract is awarded.

Life Saving Rules

The 9 Life Saving Rules [PDF, 408 KB] has been developed that clearly defines what you must do to prevent serious injuries or fatalities. The rules are not new – they are designed to raise awareness around existing rules in the Safety Practice Regulations, OSH Standards and other safety regulations.

Life Saving Rules clearly define how to prevent serious injuries

A set of Life Saving Rules has been developed that clearly defines what you must do to prevent serious injuries or fatalities. The rules are not new – they are designed to raise awareness around existing rules in the Safety Practice Regulations, OSH Standards and other safety regulations.

Jointly endorsed by BC Hydro and its unions (IBEW and MoveUP), the rules have been developed with input from the workforce to ensure they are meaningful and practical to workers.

For easy access to Life Saving Rules briefing materials, we have downloadable documents, presentation and other resources available on this page.

How to use the Life Saving Rules

The Life Saving Rules have been incorporated into BC Hydro's Safety Practice Regulations, and we expect all contractors and employees to follow these rules.

All current and new contractors who have been awarded work with BC Hydro will need to ensure that their staff and subcontractors are briefed about the rules.

BC Hydro contractors are encouraged to use the Life Saving Rules briefing package, which is available for download below.

Life Saving Rules briefing package

This briefing package is for current BC Hydro contractors.

Briefing materials

Additional information

Support resources

Briefing materials & additional information

Safety Practice Regulations (2024 edition)

These regulations and instructions govern all work done by or for BC Hydro and all access to our power system. Every worker must observe all rules that apply to his or her particular job and worksite.

Power System Safety Protection (PSSP) 1T-12 (2016 edition)

The 1T-12 series of operating orders specify requirements for consistent application of safety protection on BC Hydro's transmission and distribution power system.

PSSP and Worker Protection Practices (WPP) Student Guides

Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) standards

These standards cover expectations for managing safety. They complement and reinforce existing safety legislation, including WorkSafeBC's Occupational Health and Safety regulations.

The OSH standards are applied in conjunction with the above Safety Practice Regulations. It's expected that contractors working for BC Hydro will meet the performance expectations expressed in the OSH standards.

Note that work procedures used by contractors to meet these OSH Standards are the responsibility of the contractor, but they must be acceptable to BC Hydro.

BC Hydro disclaimer: BC Hydro does not accept any liability or responsibility of any kind arising from inappropriate use of any of our safety information.