PLC Member Weekly Update Oct. 27, 2023
In this Issue
MLOFT Graduation Nov. 9 – Please RSVP by Nov. 6!
The Logger’s Voice – Fall edition now available!
Membership Renewal – Deadline Dec. 1!
Electric Trucks Rule Update – Tuesday Hearing Recap
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 – Bangor Daily News Forestry Section 2023!
MLOFT Graduation Nov. 9 Please RSVP!
*Students available for job shadows and interviews
Please join us at this important event as we recognize the students who will be graduating 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! This is a great opportunity to learn about this unique program and the future of our industry, and to show support for the students who have worked so hard for this achievement!
Please RSVP by emailing office@plcloggers.org or calling 207-688-8195 if you have not already done so!
*Students are seeking opportunities to job shadow with contractors on Fridays this fall. This is not only a great learning opportunity for them, but also a chance for you to meet and evaluate potential future employees for your business.
Students are also now available to meet with contractors to explore possible employment opportunities. If you need employees, we encourage you to reach out to schedule interviews now as students typically are hired even before their graduation.
You may view information on each student below. If you are interested in having one or more students job shadow with you on a Friday, please contact Vanessa Tillson at 207-688-8195 or email office@plcloggers.org.
If you would like to visit the MLOFT program to meet students and see the program in action, please contact Donald Burr directly at (207) 356-1541 or email safety@plcloggers.org
Logger’s Voice Fall Edition
Now Available!
The Fall 2023 edition of The Logger’s Voice is now available! Copies have been mailed out!
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!
Electric Trucks Rule Update – Tuesday Hearing Recap
Members, Mainers for Smart Energy, of which PLC is a member, just released an update on the Maine Board of Environmental Protection’s consideration of adoption of the California Advanced Clean Trucks Rule (ACT) in the wake of a meeting of the board Tuesday.
The purpose of the meeting was to hear from staff about the comments submitted relative to the rulemaking that would have Maine adopt the rule as well as the CA Advanced Clean Cars II rule(ACC II).
There is good and bad news in this update and we encourage you to read the full report by clicking the link below. The good news is that it is expected that the Board will reject the proposed Clean Trucks Rule at its next meeting. The bad news is that this is likely not the fate for the proposed Clean Cars Rule.
The PLC will continue to oppose this rule. You may view the update from Mainers for Smart Energy below.
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
PLC Upcoming Meetings
PLC Executive Board Meeting
Nov. 9
Location TBD
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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PLC Crew First Aid Backpack
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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:
Emergency Scene Traffic Control—
October 30, 2023 | 8:30–10:30 a.m., SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta
Performing duties while working in the roadway is extremely dangerous for emergency responders. This half-day class covers requirements for training, personal protective equipment (PPE) for firefighters and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers who will be controlling traffic at unplanned motor vehicle accidents. This program will also include setting up a safe work-zone, equipment needed, guidance for day and nighttime operations, blocking to protect the scene, apparatus parking, incident types, signs, communication regulatory text, liability and much more.
Trucking
FMCSA Removes Two Devices from List of Registered Electronic Devices
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has removed FALCON ELD and KSK ELD from the list of registered Electronic Logging Devices (ELD). FMCSA has placed these ELDs on the Revoked Devices list due to the providers’ failure to meet the minimum requirements established in 49 CFR part 395, subpart B, appendix A, effective September 14, 2023.
FMCSA will send an industry email to inform motor carriers that all who use these revoked ELDs must take the following steps:
- Discontinue using the revoked ELDs and revert to paper logs or logging software to record required hours of service data.
- Replace the revoked ELDs with compliant ELDs from the Registered Devices list before November 13, 2023.
Motor carriers have up to 60 days to replace the revoked ELDs with compliant ELDs. If the ELD providers correct all identified deficiencies, FMCSA will place the ELDs back on the list of registered devices and inform the industry and the field.
During this time, safety officials are encouraged not to cite drivers using the revoked ELDs for 395.8(a)(1) – “No record of duty status” or 395.22(a) – “Failing to use a registered ELD.” During this time, safety officials should request the driver’s paper logs, logging software, or use the ELD display as a back-up method to review the hours of service data.
Beginning November 13, 2023, motor carriers who continue to use the revoked devices listed above will be considered to be operating without an ELD.
Logging News
Maine designated at US tech hub
Maine’s Forest Bioproducts Advanced Manufacturing Tech Hub is one of 31 announced today by the Biden administration, out of more than 200 applications.
AUGUSTA- The final round of laws enacted by the 131st Legislature become effective today. These laws include amendments to multiple labor laws – the Department would like employers and workers to be aware of.
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
