Stephen Perry's family thankful for closure after Sudbury, Ont. mining inquest ends

Morning North4:40End of inquiry into the death of miner Stephen Perry provides closure for family

The family of Stephen Perry say they finally have closure now that the inquiry into his death is finished. Perry died in a Sudbury miner 4 years ago. We heard from his daughter and his brother.The family of a Sudbury miner killed in 2012 hopes findings from an inquest bring changes to working underground.

Stephen Perry loved potato chips and was known to cheat at golf.  But his 23-year-old daughter, Brittany Boyd-Perry, says it's not fond memories, but his death that's been on her mind.

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Perry died in Vale's Coleman mine when a massive rock broke off the mine wall and crushed him.

"I wish I could tell him of how proud I am of him. I really do," Boyd-Perry said following yesterday's inquest.

A five person jury determined yesterday afternoon that Perry's death in Vale's Coleman mine four years ago was accidental.

Her dad was an advocate for safety, Boyd-Perry said.

"It's been very difficult to go through what — I feel — nobody should have to go through. And I'm hoping with the recommendations that we have that nobody else will have to."

Those recommendations include changing the rules for working alone, which Perry was doing when he died. Mine staff didn't know anything was wrong until Perry didn't check in on his radio.

The jury also says first aid needs to be improved. Perry couldn't receive CPR underground because there wasn't enough room on the emergency vehicle.

Another recommendation deals with ensuring the regular inspection of the mine walls.

Perry's brother Tom said Stephen felt uneasy around the rock face.

"To be very honest with you, he told me he didn't like that job," he said.

"The danger was there lurking. It caught him in the end."

The 10 recommendations:

1. The supporting faces of all underground mines should be assessed by a ground control engineer.
2. The Ontario Ministry of Labour should investigate current mine technology, including remote loaders, the type of machine Perry was operating.
3. Ministry of Labour laws regarding working alone should be changed. "We strongly feel that the mere presence of a radio does not remove the dangers of working alone. This provision should be removed from legislation," the jury wrote.
4. Improvements to underground emergency vehicles and first aid stretchers so CPR and other first aid can be performed underground.
5. All supervisors at underground mines should have advanced level first aid training, and a mine rescue worker should be available on every shift.
6. All mines should have an automated external defibrillator available at refuge stations.
7. The Ministry of Labour should look at improving lighting on the type of loader that Perry was using.
8. Inquests into mining deaths should happen sooner.
9. All mine safety systems should be reviewed so they can be more proactive to prevent accidents.
10. All mines should improve communication systems.

'A great example'

Family members say now the inquest is over, they can focus on remembering Perry's life, not his death.

"He was a great man. He was a great worker. He worked really hard," Boyd-Perry said of her dad.

"He's a great example of someone who worked really safe. And I hope everybody thinks about him when it comes to safety as well."

The inquest was a tough process to go through, Tom Perry said.

"It's been a very taxing and trying time for us … We're just so happy it's over," he said.

As for their thoughts on the recommendations?

"[It] blew our mind. We're so happy for the mining community. [It's] probably will be very, very unlikely that anyone will be hurt at the face anymore. We're tickled pink in that regard."

Boyd-Perry agreed.

"I'm very happy with the recommendations, the main one is being able to protect the face. That was the biggest relief," she said.

Recommendations not binding

Since Perry's death, Vale says several safety improvements have been made. In particular, the company has changed its policy so the rock faces are now secured with bolts and mesh.

The union for the miners, United Steelworkers 6500, says it will fight to ensure the inquest recommendations are accepted.

Many of the recommendations involve changes to Ministry of Labour regulations. That ministry has one year to respond to them, according to a ministry spokesperson.

The ministry is under no legal obligation to adopt any of the inquest's recommendations.