PLC Member Weekly Update Nov. 10, 2023
In this Issue
MLOFT Graduation Nov. 9 – Congratulations!
Membership Renewal – Deadline Dec. 1!
Logging and Construction Industry Strategy Gatherings Nov. 16, Dec. 6 – You are invited!
The Logger’s Voice – Fall edition now available!
Maine Integrated Freight Strategy (MIFS) Survey – Please participate
Cost Calculators – Members Only
PLC Store – NEW Small First Aid Pack
Safety Resources – Acadia Dividend Announced
Trucking – Latest news
Classified listings – Send us your listings!
Member Discounts – Many to choose from
Logging News – Latest headlines!
MLOFT 2023 Graduation!
Congratulations to the 12 students who graduated Thursday from the PLC’s seventh Mechanized Logging Operations and Forest Trucking Program (MLOFT) class after 20 weeks of training in the woods northeast of Old Town and in Passadumkeag! Many thanks to all who attended and to our Supporting Members who have contributed so much to the success of this program! Thank you to PLC Member Madden Timberlands for hosting the event!
The graduates include Jarrett Dubord of Windsor; Dave Elvers of Lincoln; Caden Foster of Houlton; Cole Gagnon of Hampden; Lucas Gustin of Corinth; Dylan Hooper of Blue Hill; Adam Meng of New Sharon; Dominick Olsen of Charleston; Lauren Robinson of Guilford; Tobias Sarrio of Hancock; Cole Sillanpaa of Industry; and Arthur Unobskey of Brewer.
Read the full press release HERE.
Students are still available to meet with contractors to explore possible employment opportunities. Student information is below. If you need employees, please contact Donald Burr directly at (207) 356-1541 or email safety@plcloggers.org
Pictures of the event are available on the MLOFT Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MaineMLOP
Membership Renewal Deadline Dec. 1
Renew Now!
Members, now is the time to renew your membership in the PLC for 2024 if you have not already done so. Thank you to all who have renewed already!
The PLC is your voice and advocate and is fighting for your business, your industry, and your future. We need your support to continue standing up for Northeast loggers during these challenging times.
We have also made the online renewal process easier than ever and we encourage you to take advantage of this option. To do so, click on the link below.
Renewals are due by Dec. 1. Don’t delay, renew now!
Invite – Logging and Construction Industry Strategy Gatherings Nov. 16, Dec. 6
Members, State Senator Brad Farrin (R-Norridgewock) and Milton CAT will be hosting two evening logging and construction industry legislative strategy gatherings, on Nov. 16 in Brewer and Dec. 6 in Scarborough, and have asked the PLC to forward an invitation to all PLC Members to attend. Senator Farrin is an employee of Milton CAT, and Milton CAT is a Preferred Supporting Member of the PLC.
These events are not sponsored by the PLC. However, they do align with our own planning and preparations for the next legislative session in 2024 and Sen. Farrin is someone who has been very helpful to the PLC since he was first elected to the Legislature in 2015.
You may view the full invitation by clicking the button below.
Please RSVP you plan to attend to Heather Priest at hezjrp@gmail.com or 207-458-5980.
Thanks and please contact us if you have any questions.
Maine Integrated Freight Strategy (MIFS) Survey
MDOT is working on developing the Maine Integrated Freight Strategy (MIFS) update, which represents an opportunity to take a fresh look at the performance, trends, and needs of Maine’s freight transportation system. This strategy will assess existing conditions; estimate current and future freight demand in Maine; describe key needs; and develop a Freight Investment Plan.
The department would appreciate your input as this plan develops, and are gathering information on use of the freight system through a short survey available though the link below. Questions regarding the survey can be addressed to Leah Pickett at LPickett@Camsys.com.
PLC Members Only!
Equipment Cost Calculators Available
Members,
With expenses rising rapidly in the industry we know you are struggling to get a handle on your costs. This is a great time to utilize the cost calculators created in 2021 for PLC Members.
These new, easy to use, logging equipment and log trucking cost calculators are available on the PLC Members Only section of our web site You may access this private section of the web site with your member login or set up a login HERE.
These calculators allow you to quickly estimate the hourly cost of operation for any piece of your equipment.
DISCLAIMER: These calculators are being made available for your business use as a member benefit. They produce equipment estimates and are not official products of the PLC nor should they be used for negotiation purposes.
PLC Online Store
Looking for great PLC items and apparel? Gifts? First Aid packs, safety items and more? You will find them at the new PLC Online Store on our web site. Ordering is easy.
CHECK IT OUT HERE
Safety Resources
Acadia Dividend Announced!
Acadia Insurance has announced it will pay $443,597 in premium dividends to eligible policyholder members of the Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast (PLC) Safety Group. Since 1999, Acadia has distributed over $14 million in premium dividends to eligible participants of this safety group.
This is a monumental total and reflects eight straight years where the loss ratio of our group has been low enough to provide a dividend. This is due to the PLC’s membership, our focus on safety, and our efforts toward risk mitigation. A total team effort and a job well done.
If members have questions on their dividend status, they should contact their insurance agent directly or contact the PLC.
You may read the full announcement by clicking the link below.
New Small PLC Operator/Driver First Aid Pack!
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CPR/First Aid/Bloodborne Pathogens certification: Did you know your employees are required to have this training every two years? If your employees need this training in 2023, contact Jessica at Jessica@maineloggers.com or 207-688-8195 and the PLC will schedule training in your area. THIS TRAINING IS FREE TO MEMBERS!
Workplace safety and labor law requirements can seem complex – join the Maine Department of Labor for no-cost upcoming trainings!
Upcoming classes:
Scaffolding and Fall Protection
November 13, 2023 | 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta
This course covers the OSHA requirements for scaffolding and fall protection, including the definition of “competent person.”
Respiratory Protection
November 14, 2023 | 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta
Where workers are required to wear respirators to do their jobs, employers need a respiratory protection program. This course helps you determine your respiratory protection needs and covers all the elements of a written respiratory protection program.
Impairment Detection Training for Employers
November 16, 2023 | 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m., SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta
This one-day training session is designed to help owners, managers, and supervisors recognize and respond appropriately to employee-impairment in the workplace to reduce worker accidents and injuries. Participants will be taught procedures to detect impairment regardless of the substance or cause. In addition, participants will learn how to develop and implement policies that address impairment in the workplace and are in compliance with Maine’s Substance Use Testing Law.
Lifting & Rigging Safety
November 27, 2023 | 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta
Lift planning is essential to safe-lifting practices. This program provides a basic understanding or review of your knowledge about lifting safety in the workplace. It will help you determine what you may need for a lift and what type of equipment to use, including communications through signals, written, or verbal plans.
Automotive Lift/Jack Stand Safety and Compliance
November 28, 2023 | 8:30–12:30 p.m. SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta
This half-day course provides training on the proper operation of multiple types of automotive lifts, jack stands, inspection, compliance reporting, training, and documentation required by various inspection agencies. This course will have classroom and hands-on training.
Trenching and Excavation
November 29, 2023 | 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Dive, Augusta
This course explains the dangers to employees from trenching and excavation operations, soil classifications, OSHA requirements, and the types of protective systems to prevent cave-ins. You will also learn what is meant by “competent person.”
Register and browse more SafetyWorks! classes: https://www.
If you have questions about safety or upcoming classes, reach out to SafetyWorks! at 1-877-SAFE-345 or general.bls-safetyworks@
If you have questions about Wage and Hour compliance, please reach out to the Wage and Hour Division at 207-623-7900 or bls.mdol@maine.gov, or visit www.maine.gov/labor/bls/
2024 classes will also be posted online and open to registration on 11/1.
Thank you,
The Maine Department of Labor
Trucking
Lane Closures on Stillwater Avenue in Old Town
OLD TOWN – The Maine Department of Transportation will be intermittently closing traffic lanes on the Llewellyn Estes Bridges that carry Stillwater Avenue over the Stillwater River in Old Town in the coming weeks. These lane closures are necessary to allow paving work on the approaches for the temporary bridge. There will be an alternating, single-lane traffic pattern during these closures. They will only happen between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. from Monday, November 6th through Friday, November 17th. Each lane closure is not expected to last longer than two hours.
Invitation to National Apprenticeship Week Webinar: Trucking Apprenticeships
FMCSA cordially invites you to an upcoming webinar during the National Apprenticeship Week (November 13-19), which will be held on November 13 at 3pm EST.
This webinar will be co-hosted by The Department of Labor and the Department of Transportation, who will be providing an overview of the Safe Drivers Apprenticeship Pilot (SDAP) Program as well as other programs available for carriers and potential apprentices.
Logging News
Students celebrate graduation from training program for loggers, forest truckers
BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – Maine’s logging and forest trucking industry just became 12 people stronger.
Logging and forest trucking students graduate
PASSADUMKEAG — Maine’s only college training program for logging and forest trucking equipment operators graduated its latest class Thursday.
Member Discounts
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ALC Member Discounts
PLC Members, because the PLC is a member of the American Loggers Council YOU are entitled to special discounts! CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE
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Fabian Oil Discount
Wallingford’s Discounts
Maine Trailer Discounts
PLC Members get a 5% discount on culverts purchased at Treeline and Frank Martin & Sons
Hale Trailer discounts for PLC Members on new trailer purchases! Call Neal at 207-232-7969 for details!
Cross Arena Discounts for PLC!
Classifieds
PLC Classified Section
Check out the equipment and job opportunities our members have listed at the LOGGING ZONE! If you have equipment for sale, are looking to buy, are looking for employees, or
Preferred Supporting Members
Enhanced Supporting Members