Site Assessor Course 2025 Resources and Reference Material

Required Equipment for Field Work

Please make sure you have these items for FIELD WORK DAYS:

1. 1. Measuring tape – metric (cm) preferred.
   2. Long shafted, Robertson screwdriver as a probe for checking soil density. (see photo example above)
   3. Flat adhesive/flooring trowel with 1/4″ wide square notches/teeth for scarifying test pit walls. (see photo example above) eg. like this one from Home Depot. Hardware stores and some Dollar stores also have these.
   4. Small hand trowel (garden section of Dollar Stores have lots of these) or a mini-shovel for digging out soil samples from test pit walls. (see photo above)
   5. Field reference sheets and ETC Pask Permeameter quick reference tables (handouts provided in your binder)
   6. Blank test pit logs and permeability test forms (in your binder)
   7. “Swag Bag” of items that you will receive on the first day (sand sizes card, water bottle with texture flow chart, soil sample bags, soil sample tags, twist ties, etc.)
   8. Calculator (or use app on your smartphone)
   9. Clipboard
   10. Pens, pencils, eraser
   11. 4 Liter plastic container filled with water for permeability testing. An empty windshield fluid container works well.
   12. Small log book or notebook for writing misc. notes. 
   13. Smartphone for locating test sites in the field using Google Maps (or use a GPS if you prefer). If you don’t own a smartphone…well…I respectfully suggest you consider getting one. It will allow you to take advantage of various features (such as the GPS and Google Maps) that will make your site assessments and reports easier.
   14. Personal small towel or rag and/or package of wipes, for drying, cleaning, hands.
   15. Clothing appropriate for the weather/conditions. You will be outside for several hours at a time. Work boots, (steel toe recommended), appropriate for being around heavy equipment (backhoe, excavator). Mosquito shirt and/or bug spray, sunscreen, water to drink. Note: If weather is light drizzle, field work will go ahead. So please dress accordingly!
   16. (Optional) Packed lunch if you don’t want to buy lunch at a nearby take-out or restaurant.
   17. Backpack/knapsack or similar is recommended for organizing and carrying all of the above items in your vehicle and around the field sites. 

As there will be several participants, it is recommended to label any personal hand tools, clipboards, notebooks, etc. with your name.