Journal Eastmain Octobre ang.

Volume 8, Issue 4, October 2010

People with a powerful vision

One for all and all for the Rupert diversion jobsite

Sarcelle jobsite is getting busy

Final sprint before the end of civil works at Eastmain-1-A powerhouse

Supervisor – Public Relations / Magazine Editor: Bionda Miotto / 819 672-2200, ext. 3854 [email protected] Advisor – Public Relations and Editor-in-Chief: Jimmy Lavoie / 819 865-2100 poste 4159, [email protected]: Pascal Dion, Catherine Langlois, Jimmy Lavoie, Bionda Miotto, Marie-Ève Morin, Mélanie VachonContributors: Yvon Coulombe, Olivier TrépanierTranslator: Margaret Kane Savage / Reviser: Isabel Fonte / 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. Internet site: www.hydroquebec.com/rupert. Extranet site: www.extranetsebj.ca. (© SEBJ, All rights reserved)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 2010 People with a powerful vision

EnvironmentRespect for the environment is essential for the acceptance of the Eastmain-1-A/Sarcelle/Rupert project. The Environment team conducts environmental monitoring during construction to ensure compliance with government requirements related to authorizations and implementation of mitigation measures. In addition, a follow-up program looks into the extent of impacts and the effectiveness of mitigation and compensation measures. My work has several facets, including coordination, logistics and coaching, involving co-workers at the head office and consultants. I also answer questions from managers, since every step of the project must comply with commitments made to government authorities. Finally, having been present at the outset of the James Bay projects, I am always pleased to provide information on local vegetation and wildlife

Cree relations The true meaning of partnership with local communities was apparent in the exemplary way the Rupert diversion project was carried out. Maximizing job creation for Crees and awarding several contracts to Cree enterprises throughout the project created valuable experience for this workforce and much promise for local communities. Nearly 1500 Crees from a dozen Cree businesses contributed to the project.

With the help of Lloyd Mayappo and George Pisimopeo, I acted as a liaison between the Crees and HQ/SEBJ. Through many meetings, committees and consultations in the Cree communities, I answered questions and provided information about project progress, training and jobs. In addition, I am now respon-sible for the sale of SEBJ’s surplus assets in application of the Boumhounan Agreement

One for all and all for the Rupert diversion jobsite!The Rupert diversion project brought together many individuals from various trades, working for several companies, all sharing the ultimate objective of carrying out their mandates successfully to complete this strategic project within deadline.

Everyone had a job to do and, whether it involved the structures directly or not, their contribution was essential. From the start, forming a unit was the first priority—teamwork was essential. The other equally important factor was that every employee had the opportunity to grow and experience job satisfaction. Knowing that we succeeded fills us with pride.

As Site Manager of the Rupert diversion jobsite and considering the above, I am proud of all of you; you have reached the target. Thank you and congratulations.

Gervais SavardSite Manager of the Rupert diversion jobsite

Normand FaubertSEBJ Supervisor – Environment

Johnny SaganashSEBJ Section Manager – Cree Relations

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The Rupert spillway and the dikes and dams in the forebay and tailbay are critical structures. Throughout the first year of the diversion, these structures required several follow-ups and in-spections.

By vehicle and on foot, we checked the crests and areas downstream of the dikes, sometimes over several kilometres, to see if there were grooves, seepage, water or other accumulations, or if there were breaches in the dikes. In addition, we inspected all the concrete structures, including the Rupert spillway. We looked for cracks, water leakage and voids in the concrete.

Urbain BernierCivil Engineering Technician III - SEBJEngineering – Impoundment

KP 20.4 weir The rock blanket at KP 20.4 allows navigation and the free movement of fish while protecting neighboring spawning grounds. Although it is submerged, the blanket is 200 m wide and 150 m long.

For the project at KP 20.4, which is essentially a rock blanket, my job was to coordinate the work of the ad-ministration and engineering units and the contractor to better monitor the steps stipulated in the plans. The construction of the submerged blanket was done according to industry standards, thanks to the professional-ism of the contractor, the surveying unit and SEBJ inspectors, with daily monitoring of the work.

Mamadou ThiamCivil Engineering Technician III - SEBJ

Engineering – Impoundment

KP 33 weir The weir at KP 33 is one of the largest built in the downstream section of the Rupert River, with its 5,833 m3 of concrete. Skilled concrete workers rose to the challenge.

As a class IV surveyor, my job is to ensure that the steps required before, during and after pouring concrete are followed. I make sure that everything is checked before signing the concrete pouring authorization after structural approval of the formwork.

Sébastien BernierSEBJ Class IV SurveyorKP 33

KP 49 spur dike The spur dike at KP 49 required more than 100,000 m³ of rockfill. Unlike a weir, which crosses the river from bank to bank, a spur dike narrows the riverbed .

Coordination is very important on a jobsite, whether in terms of workers (trades), truck transport or place-ment of all the materials. That is why the approved work methods must be clear.

Bruno LambertForeman – Denis Lavoie et fils

KP 49 spur dike

KP 85 spur dike The purpose of the spur dike at KP 85, like other hydraulic structures, is to maintain the water level upstream of the site while protecting hunting, fishing and trapping areas. It required nearly 80,000 m³ of backfill.

The section manager’s ultimate role is to ensure that the contractor performs the work specified in the plans and specifications safely, in compliance with environmental provisions and according to schedule. For this weir, the logistics and coordination of human resources were a challenge, given the structure’s location.

Jean-Marie DionSEBJ Section Manager – Forebay and Weirs

KP 110.3 weir Built right in the river, the weir at KP 110.3 required innovative approaches. This concrete weir, nearly 150 m long, lies upstream of the Oatmeal Rapids.

In my job as a water safety practitioner, monitoring work along fast-flowing water is vital. Wearing specially designed lifejackets (Mustangs) at all times, we ensure that safety perimeters are observed and that all re-quired safety equipment is available and in good condition, so that we can react quickly in an emergency.

Mario LavoieDLF Water Safety Practitioner KP 110.3 weir

KP 170 weir Used to maintain the water level of Lake Nemiscau, the weir at KP 170 was built in two phases. The section in the left channel was completed before work began in the right channel, allowing the river to flow through the other channel while work was being carried out.

A civil engineering inspector must see to quality control at the jobsites. This includes checking concrete pours, rebar in formwork, logistics, timetables and the condition of materials and observing water levels upstream of the cofferdams.

Carl GendronSEBJ Class IV Civil Engineering InspectorKP 170

KP 223 weir The weir at KP 223 is the perfect blend of the types of structures built on the Rupert River, such as con-crete weirs, dikes, spawning grounds and fish passes, as well as an example of various techniques used, including drilling, excavating, blasting and jet grouting.

The jet grouting has to be checked by drilling. We collect samples using a drill with a special casing. These samples, known as cores, are then used to check the quality of the grouting and have the work approved.

Jeannot Lavoie Driller – Forage SL – NewcoKP 223


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5 Eastmain Magazine, October 2010

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The weir at KP 290 consists entirely of rockfill and has two parts, one in the right channel and the other in the central channel. In addition, it is bordered on the left by an impressive fish pass.

My primary responsibility is to ensure that everyone works safely, through safety equipment, equipment inspec-tions, work methods, and communication—all in a spirit of cooperation.

François St-GeorgesSEBJ Industrial Health and Safety AdvisorKP 290

We are building in unity, Essential to one another,Helpful to one another.By the strength of our ideas, By the sensitivity of our actions,We are complementary and partners.A strong team vision:A promised and promising future.

May you men and women described by these words share them proudly, Because you have given them meaning.

Nemiscau workcamp

Rupert workcamp

Sibi workcamp

Oujeck workcamp

KM 257 workcamp


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Starting up the tailraceOutside the powerhouse, Neilson-EBC started up the tailrace from Septem-ber 23 to 28. Complete excavation of the cof-ferdam is underway. For more information, see the SEBJ extranet: www.extranetsebj.ca

The final sprint before the end of civil worksJL – Although civil works are almost completed at the Eastmain-1-A jobsite, there is still a lot of activity. The Cegerco–Inter-cité (CIC) group is busy in several areas of the powerhouse, notably in the vicinity of the generating units. In late September, the contractor finished concreting the enclosing walls and installing bearing plates for the precast elements of unit 13’s generator floor. Finish-ing work and concrete repairs were also underway at various lev-els of the powerhouse as fall began. Dismantling of the concrete plant began in October—a sign that CIC’s contract for concreting the powerhouse (Phase II) is nearing completion.

The first turbine in the spotlightThis fall, the focus at the Eastmain-1-A jobsite is on assembling generating unit LC 11. Stacking of the stator’s magnetic circuit is continuing in preparation for testing, the head cover is being installed and the rotor is being welded and assembled in the un-loading bay. The atmosphere is charged! Meanwhile, Voith Hydro is welding the stator frame of the second unit—LC 12.

Electrical and mechanical systemsThe TAP Consortium is continuing to supply and install equip-ment and electrical and mechanical systems at Eastmain-1-A powerhouse. Outside the building, the focus is on installing the busbar assembly for the first generating unit (LC 11), to get ready for the installation of the first power transformer on the deck. Inside, the powerhouse is bustling with activity. Workers are running power cables at level 224 and continuing various jobs, such as installing the console in the control room, insulat-ing and installing various mechanical and electrical systems, ap-plying sealer to the generator floor and starting up the distribu-tion panels. Everyone is working in overdrive on the final details.


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CL – Originally from Saguenay, Paul Émond has been a shovel operator for Neilson-EBC since October 2009. To begin with, I asked him about the qualities of a good opera-tor. “Love for your work, manual dexterity, concentration, patience and, of course, caution,” he replied without hesitation.

Loving the trade: a family affairPaul’s eyes sparkle when he talks about his trade. “I’ve been an operator for the past thirteen years and I still love my work,” he said with a grin. “My godfather owned an excavation company and, as far back as I can remember, just watching him work gave me goose bumps. He passed on his love of heavy machinery. Thanks to him, I have always known that I wanted to be an operator,” he added.

Paul’s work includes excavating the cofferdam downstream of the tailrace when his co-worker, Pierre Nakila, is on leave. The job at the cofferdam consists of underwater excavation of about 50,000 m3 of fill and overburden, profiling an invert with a 4% slope. “We use the GPS built into the shovel instead of our eyes. It pinpoints our position, working angle, bucket position, etc. It’s essential,” said the 33-year-old operator.

Paul Émond: power-shovel junkie

Caution is vitalThere are many risks at the cofferdam. According to Paul, “You always have to be very vigilant. For example, when you’re lifting a shovel load from the river bottom to a truck, the ground under your shovel absolutely has to be stable. You have to be cautious and patient, without rushing things.”

Precision at your fingertipsI wasn’t surprised to learn that Paul is quite a perfectionist. “I’m very demanding of myself. I con-sider it my duty to work not only within specified tolerances, but perfectly. I like a job well done,” he stated.

Neilson-EBC’s contract at the Eastmain-1-A jobsite ends in November 2010, and this talented operator is very proud to have contributed to the project as part of the team. “I’d like to keep working for Neilson-EBC as long as possible. It’s a company that

takes great care of its employees. It’s no secret; everybody says so!” he concluded. Here’s hoping his wish comes true!

Did you know…Did you know that the oil used in the hydraulic systems of power shovels at the Eastmain-1-A/Sarcelle/Rupert project is biodegradable? For example, at the Eastmain-1-A jobsite, Neilson-EBC’s power shovel, working at the downstream cofferdam, uses UNIVIS BIO 40 oil, which is biodegradable within 21 days. The power shovel’s arm can be immersed in the water without harming the environment.

All excavation contracts have required the use of biodegradable oil since the project began in 2007. Neilson-EBC is proud to comply and thus help protect the environment.

Did you ever dream about operating a power shovel? Paul Émond did, from his earliest childhood: “It was that or nothing,” he said. I’ve seen him several times using all kinds of shovels; it’s amazing to see him handle one as though it were an extension of his own arm. Here is the profile of a passionate and talented operator


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ite Bulb unitsGetting busy!MV – Assembly of the stay rings in the assembly area has been completed. The three stay rings have been lowered into their respective generating units. At unit LS 23, the sealing ring was installed, and the first pour of the second phase of concreting was completed on September 22. The stay ring of unit LS 22 is being aligned. The lateral stay vanes have been welded to the stay ring of unit LS 21. Once these steps have been completed, the final section of unit LS 21’s stay ring will be installed, followed by its sealing ring. The bottom section of LS 22’s sealing ring has been installed.

Meanwhile, other activities are underway in contractor Alstom’s workshop and in the assembly area. The stators and rotors, key parts of the generating units, are being prepared.

Preparing the statorThe stator frame is delivered in two sections that are then bolted together. A seal weld is applied, after which a bolt cap is installed. Next, the key bars are positioned; they will transmit the magnetic circuit’s torque to the frame. There are 99 key bars per stator. The laminations are placed on the key bars during a stage called “stacking.” The laminations are circular to fit inside the stator. The slots are used to attach the laminations to the key bars. Each lamination is a half-millimetre thick; they are in stacks of about 3,300 lamina-tions. The stator contains 28 lamination stacks separated by ventilation laminations for cooling. There are approximately 92,000 laminations per stator. A total of 33 lamina-tions is required to complete a turn. Once the stacking is completed, a magnetization test is conducted. This test has two objectives: first, to see whether there are defects in the lamination varnish, which can cause hot spots, second, to pack the laminations together by vibration of the magnetic circuit. This is done by winding ten turns of wire around the magnetic circuit. The magnetic field induced by the current flowing through the wire causes the laminations to vibrate. About 380 amps of current flow through the wire for an hour.

Preparing the rotorThe rotor spider is a circular part with 21 arms. To facilitate transport, five of the arms were removed and welded back on in the assembly area. To facilitate the alignment of both sections of each arm, taper pins were factory installed on each section. Once the arms were assembled and measurements taken, the sections were welded together. At the end of the process, the taper pins used to hold the sections together were removed.

These preparations will be repeated for the three generating units. To be continued…


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ite UpstreamMV – Concrete work on the slots for the upstream trash racks and stoplogs of gener-ating units 23 and 21 has been completed. Installation of these embedded parts is underway for unit 22.

Upstream of the powerhouse, on the right bank, the vertical drill hole (300 mm in diameter) for the upstream water level indicator has been completed.

DownstreamThe steel structure of the service bridge that will provide access to the downstream gate mechanisms started to go up in September. Concreting of the deck slab for the downstream service bridge has been completed and only the curb and sidewalk for the hydraulic jack shelter remain to be concreted.

Installation of embedded parts of the weirs, diffusers and downstream gate slots is underway.

Powerhouse The bulb unit’s sealing ring is being encased in con-crete in the generating area of unit 23.

The ventilation system is 80% complete and ventila-tion units are being installed on the roof. All the insulated busbar supports have been installed in the service area and assembly has begun.

Fire detection wiring has been completed and checked.

Turbine mounting team In the assembly area, the rotor for unit 23 is being assembled. The first part of unit 22’s sealing ring is being prepared for lowering into the pit. Bracing is being installed and the stay rings of units 21 and 22 are being adjusted.

In the workshop, stacking and magnetizing tests of unit 23’s stator are underway, along with instal-lation of unit 22’s key bars.

SwitchyardWork at the switchyard is well underway. The service building has been completed.

Drilling is in progress to prepare for concreting the bases of fence posts and lamp-posts. The ground is being covered with crushed rock and granular materials.


BM – An unusual event was held at the Eastmain-1-A jobsite on September 11. On a peaceful, sunny day, Suzanne Berthiaume, secretary, SEBJ Human Resources, and Denis Bilodeau, skilled laborer, NEC-Nemiscau, sealed their love at the Eastmain-1 powerhouse scenic lookout.

They met at the Brisay jobsite, eighteen years ago. Their story began when they were both part of a rock’n’roll show. These two music lovers have had to learn many new dance steps over the past few years. With faith, love and courage, they adjusted their moves to new rhythms together, with strength and confidence in life.

Why did they choose to have their wedding at this remote location, nestled in bedrock, overlooking the Eastmain River? They had two reasons: first, because Denis worked on the construction of the Eastmain-1 powerhouse, and second, because it echoed their meet-ing at the Brisay jobsite eighteen years ago. They had come full circle, considering the end of the project and jobsites, so they decided to mark the beginning of a new life by getting married overlooking the Eastmain River!

Just married !

Before the ceremony, a sand ritual, symbol of a lasting union, was also held at the lookout. Suzanne and Denis poured yellow sand from Brisay and gray sand from the Eastmain projects into a carafe. Representing their union, the two types of sand are mingled and inseparable, but the identity of each remains.

Diane Beaudry, Notary, officiated at the wedding. Denise Bastien, Human Resources Advisor, and Gilles Senecal, Human Resources Supervisor, were the two witnesses. Denis Groleau, Site Manager, his spouse, Diane Guay, and Gaston Marin, Section Manager–Administration, were also present.

At the end of the ceremony, eighteen white balloons, symbolizing the couple’s eighteen years together, rose into the blue sky of Eastmain. You could almost hear them sighing: Happily ever after!

Suzanne Berthiaume and Denis Bilodeau got married on September 11, 2010, at 11 a.m., at the Eastmain-1 powerhouse scenic lookout.


YC – For several years now, SEBJ has required that contractors submit detailed work methods before beginning their activities.

Methods must be defined for technically complex work and work with high risk of accidents as identified by the SEBJ prevention program or the Safety Code for the Construction Industry.

Contractors therefore have work methods for much of the work performed.

Each method defines the stages and nature of the work to be done and includes occupational safety measures. The method must be approved by the SEBJ engineering unit and receive an official SEBJ stamp before work can begin.

Work methods are normally presented by the foreman before a job starts. The goal is to create a safe working environment.

Make sure that you sign the attendance record after the method is pre-sented. The method must be respected and enforced at all times; it is your “official operating procedure.”

Work methods must be posted for reference at the work site—at the jobsite trailer, for example.

If you have any doubts, go ahead and check the document. It is there to ensure maximum productivity in a safe environment.

Work methods and health and safety

The goal of the telemetric monitoring is to document the movements and spatial redistribu-tion of tagged individuals in the wake of impoundment. Accordingly, transmitters have been implanted in some 40 adult trout, and 25 receivers have been installed at strategic locations in the forebay. The movements of tagged fish will be recorded by the receivers for five years, to see whether spawners live in the forebay area and visit the spawning grounds.

In addition to the natural spawning grounds catalogued, lake trout spawning grounds were developed in three lakes that are now in the diversion bays. Starting this fall, the physical in-tegrity and use of natural and developed spawning grounds will be monitored by a team of divers. The monitoring of physical integrity will continue until 2015, and the use of spawning grounds will be monitored until 2020.

These studies will eventually provide more information about the consequence of diversion bay impoundment on lake trout.

Implanting a transmitter in a lake trout’s abdominal cavity under anesthesia.

Lake trout in the diversion bays

OT – Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) is a member of the larger Salmonidae family, of which salmon is the best known. Adult lake trout generally grow 31 to 51 cm long and weigh about 5 kg. This cold-water fish usually lives in deep lakes where there is cold water all year long, spawning in October when the water temperature drops to 10 to 12°C. The Eastmain-1-A/Sarcelle/Rupert draft-design study showed that several lakes in the Rupert diversion bay area contained lake trout. Impound-ment of the bays led to changes in lake trout habitat. New spawning grounds were therefore developed, and telemetric monitoring of lake trout and follow-ups of its spawning grounds were initiated to study this species in the forebay.

Journal Eastmain Octobre ang.

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