SUDBURY -- The coroner's inquest held at Northbury Hotel in Sudbury, concerning the deaths of two local mining workers five years ago, has come to a close Friday afternoon.

A five-person jury has made seven recommendations in order to prevent these types of fatalities in the future:

  1. The Ministry of Training College and University prepare a training package for all mine employees regarding s.43 of the Ontario Health and Safety Act (OSHA) and the Internal Responsibility System (IRS).
  2. The Ministry of Labour shall require the employer to post a copy of s. 43 of the OSHA and a document explaining the IRS.
  3. The Mining Legislative Review Committee (MLRC) must recommend to the Ministry of Labour that they develop legislation with respect to re-entry protocol after a recorded seismic event in an underground mine. The legislation should include ensuring the appropriate micro-seismic monitoring system exist in areas where individuals are located. The results of micro-seismic monitoring system must be made visible and the re-entry protocol displayed prominently.
  4. Recommendation to the Province of Ontario, specifically the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines: The Closure plan must include data collected pursuant to s. 72 of the Mines and Mining Plants, R.R.O. 1990, Reg 854

Recommendations to the Ministry of Labour:

  1. The Jury recognizes that the MLRC is currently working towards amendments to Regulation 854 with respect to adopting a "Management of Change Process" (recommendation 2.1). It is recommended that the MLRC prioritize finalizing their recommendation to the Ministry of Labour in order to implement the proposed "Management of Change Process."
  2. The Jury recognizes that the MLRC, specifically the ground control sub-committee is currently working towards amendments to Regulation 854 with respect to recommendation 1.4 to create guidelines pertaining to ground control. It is recommended that the MLRC prioritize finalizing their recommendation to the Ministry of Labour to create a guideline that covers all ground control related sections in the Regulation for Mines and Mining Plants.
  3. Mining companies in Ontario be required to ensure proper communication of the existence of any potential or actual danger to the health and safety of contract workers on their property. IN particular, maintain a consolidated log book of pertinent information recorded and read by all contractors as well as mine employees, that would facilitate communication of information within the workplace.

34-year-old Marc Methe and 49-year-old Norm Bisaillon were working for Taurus Drilling at Lockerby Mine in 2014, when a section of the mine collapsedafter a seismic event.

They werecrushed by 12 tons of rock and debris.

Duringtestimony, the jury heard the area where the incident happened was inspected nine days before the incident by the Ministry of Labour, and no immediate hazards or dangers were found even though there had been a fall of ground.

The design and development of the mining area where the fatalities happened was a strong focus of questioning.

Jury members also heard the area was 'seismically active' and that was a concern to everyone.

Inquests are held for the purpose of informing the public about the circumstances of a death and for a jury to make recommendations to prevent similar deaths in the future.

CTV News will have more on the inquest wrap up and reaction to the recommendations.