After getting dumped on with roughly 24” of snow on the East coast, and now a forecast for heavy rains, it’s time to reflect back on prior experiences and the inherent difficulties when required to work in the elements…especially the rain.   For this new series, we’ll present some key tips (some obvious / some less obvious) that could be used by most practitioners (environmental, geologic, engineering, etc.) to hopefully help avoid common pitfalls when working in the field:

 Obvious Tips:

• Tip#1: Attempt to re-schedule the project.  Make the call. 

• Tip#2: Invest in good foul-weather gear. This is a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many folks skimp out on this “easy” solution.

• Tip#3: Apply mink oil to waterproof your work boots. Takes about 5 minutes, and should keep your feet dry all day. Re-apply as needed.

• Tip#4: PIDs & other meters may not be rated for and/or survive inclement weather.  Be prepared to go without them, or postpone your project if they are mission-critical.

• Tip#5: Heed “basic” safety issues including slips / trips / falls; heavy machinery concerns, etc.

Less-Obvious Tips:

• Tip#1: Utility mark-outs may fade or get washed away.  If warranted, be prepared to postpone a project until a new mark-out can be completed.  Safety should be paramount.

• Tip#2: Be wary of false groundwater observations / measurements.  Rain water / surface water cascading down the side of a test pit or down a borehole should be accounted for.

• Tip#3: Find a way to keep your notes “dry” beforehand.  Nothing is more frustrating than wet paper getting ripped, illegible writing, etc., so be creative.  Waterproof pens & paper? Work under a cover? Identify your options early, and be resourceful. 

• Tip#4: Barring thunderstorms or lightning, commit to putting in a full day’s work if you elect to work in the rain.  Don’t pull the plug early and then have to re-mobilize to finish up.  Your budget will thank you later.

• Tip#5: Don’t be the person that hides in a shed or vehicle, while others are getting wet.  Get your hands dirty (or wet) and pitch in to get the job done a little quicker. This may mean assisting your colleagues, drillers, or machine operators.  The extra effort will be appreciated, and if you can’t help out in the field…make a coffee run! 

Stay tuned for future discussions on this topic in the upcoming weeks…as there are plenty of lessons to be learned out there, which could ultimately make our jobs easier!   

We hope that you find these posts informative, and relatively useful, and your feedback is always welcome. For further information please don't hesitate to contact us. tfrancis@cardinallsrp.com , www.cardinalLSRP.com