Environmental Sampling - Not Just Fun and Games

~ Hard work is the key to success, so work diligently on any project you undertake. If you truly want to be successful, be prepared to give up your leisure time and work past 5 PM and on weekends. Also, have faith in yourself. If you come up with a new idea that you believe in, don't allow other people to discourage you from pursuing it. ~    Charles Lazarus - Famous Jazz Trumpet Musician There is this longstanding dispute between people that work mostly in the field and people that work mostly in the office.  The office workers will grumble to the field workers (usually only on days with really nice weather) about how lucky they are to work outside all the time.  Conversely, the field workers will gripe (mostly on days with really crappy weather) about how lucky the office people are to have "cushy desk jobs".  As it always has been....as it always will be. As I write this, it is a really nice day outside and I'm inside in the office wishing I could be working outside.  However, it was not too long ago that I was outside working in pretty severe weather conditions and wishing I could be inside with a nice "cushy desk job".                          Sampling  in the depth of winter brings with it its' own set if difficulties that might not be as apparent to "office people" or people that work mostly in the south.  Keeping your samples from freezing becomes important as keeping yourself from freezing. The cooler in these cases is used to keep the samples above freezing rather than below.  Then once in your car, they will need ice to keep them cool again.  Vigilance and awareness is important.  That's why we always keep thermometers in our coolers. It would be nice if weather forecasts where accurate several weeks in advance so that we could schedule outdoor work on really nice days and indoor work on the crappy days.  Seems lately an accurate forecast even 24-hours ahead of time is pushing it. It's not always just cold and snow that makes working in the field not as glamorous as some office people might think.  Sometimes no matter what the weather there is no putting lipstick on a pig.  A recent sampling project had staff from our Cleveland Office going for an "afternoon sail" on a "turd pond".  A waste water treatment lagoon needed "characterization" and depth measurements.  Both Hal and Chris from the Cleveland office jumped at the opportunity and took turns rowing and sampling.  Although the water was calm, extra caution was taken to assure the boat did not capsize.                  Another recent sampling project took us out to Wyoming where the hazards there consisted of curious Antelope and high, and I mean really high, winds.  50 mile an hour winds, sustained, one afternoon.   Just standing in one place took work.  One gust had me chasing my hard hat for about 300 feet.              The Wyoming project went well.  Although it required long hours and the nearest Hotel was an hour away, through the hard work and determination of the Traverse City, MI staff we finished right on budget and right on schedule. I'm reminded of the bumper sticker that reads "A bad day fishing is better than a good day at work". Well for some field staff, a bad day in the field beats a good day in the office. I can see both sides.                  One important thing I've learned from working in the field is...always be prepared for anything. Bring all your tools, extra pumps, spare parts, extra maps (try chasing down a map in a 50 mile an hour wind), extra batteries, more than enough expendable supplies and a good rain coat. It's a case of Murphy's Law.  You won't need it, unless...you didn't bring it. SampleServe.com - Specializing in Sampling and Reporting. Russell Schindler SampleServe.com - Traverse City / Detroit 231-933-7035