In a letter to Nevada’s mining, construction and manufacturing industries, Jess Lankford, Chief Administrative Officer of the Nevada Department of Business and Industry lays out protocols that should be implemented in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada, “since these industries cannot do their work remotely, and do not generally operate in groups or deal with the public in large numbers, like a bar or a restaurant, they are provided this additional guidance as they continue to meet the needs of their customers and the community.”

Lankford says in the letter that his department supports and enhances Governor Steve Sisolak’s March 18, 2020 document titled, “Nevada Health Response COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Initiative.”

“As identified by the Governor of Nevada, the implementation of the following protocols is extremely important to reduce and slow the spread of COVID-19. The governor has tasked every business and business sector with the responsibility to do whatever it can to address the historic public health issue.

“The following are social distancing protocols and measures that are to be initiated immediately:

• For mining:
• Restrict meetings, safety meetings/tailgate talks, and gatherings to no more than 10 people.
• Establish effective social distancing protocols, which ensure that staff maintain a 6 ft personal separation from other staff during meetings, discussions, etc. where 10 people or less are present. Ensure that social distancing protocols are maintained during operation of mobile service equipment designed for two or more passengers including, but not limited to, man lifts, scissors lifts, etc.
• Provide sanitation and cleaning supplies for addressing common surfaces in multiple user mobile equipment and multiple user tooling. Maintain 6 ft separation protocols for labor transportation services, such as buses, vans, etc.
• Conduct daily surveys of changes to staff/labor health conditions. Ensure that any identified first responders in the labor force are provided and use the needed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and equipment for protection from communicable or infections disease.
• Provide access to potable and sanitary water.