Vale manager outlines safety improvements made since fatalities in 2011

A coroner's jury hasheard from the current manager of Vale's Stobie Mine in Sudbury about safety improvements made since 2011, when Jordan Fram and Jason Chenier died after being buried in an uncontrolled run of muck.

John O'Shaughnessy, who has been manager since 2013, said Wednesday that Vale originally had 31 recommendations following its investigation into the deaths of the two men.

Along with the United Steelworkers, they have come up with 43, all of which he said have been implemented.

O'Shaughnessy said cameras have been mounted on ore pass gates, and the monitor and controls are fixed to the wall at a safe distance so supervisors can watch a run of muck safely.

In 2011, Fram and Chenier were in a narrow walkway against a partial wall to see up the ore pass, when a run of muck flowed over the wall and buried them.

Other recommendations involved development of policies surrounding blasting, training and work refusal, O'Shaughnessy said.

He added efforts are being made to create a positive atmosphere at the mine.

When asked if the recommendations have been shared with other mining companies, he said no, but added that maybe now was a good opportunity.