PLC Supporting Member Weekly Update Oct. 13, 2023

Logger’s Voice Fall Edition

Now Available!

The Fall 2023 edition of The Logger’s Voice is now available! Copies will be mailed out soon!

PLC Online Store

Acadia Dividend Announced!

Acadia Insurance has just 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.

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!

Now FREE to Maine Loggers! A $300 value!

LEARN MORE

Workplace safety and labor law requirements can seem complex – join the Maine Department of Labor for no-cost upcoming trainings!

Upcoming classes:

Fire Extinguisher | Emergency Action Plans | Workplace Violence –

October 16, 2023 | 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.  SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta

In this class, you will learn about Emergency Action Plans, including the use of fire extinguishers and how to maintain them. In addition, this class tackles the emerging concern for workplace violence and how to prepare your organization for this hazard. This is a one-day hands-on class. Those attending this class should come prepared to discharge a fire extinguisher.   

Impairment Detection Training for Employers—

October 19, 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 in order to reduce worker accidents and injuries. Participants will be taught procedures to detect impairment regardless of the substance or cause. This class is designed to fulfill the federal DOT requirements for reasonable suspicion training of supervisors. 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.

Welding/Compressed Gases—

October 23, 2023 | 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta

This class covers the requirements of the welding standard, in addition to the storage and proper use of compressed gas. Proper inspection techniques of hoses, torches, and regulators will be demonstrated.

Safety & Health Management System—

October 24, 2023 | 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta

Successful safety and health programs are more than just compliance with the OSHA standards. Injuries and illnesses are reduced when employers possess common elements to identify and address safety and health hazards. This course outlines roles and responsibilities, common principles, required functions and programs of a successful safety and health management system. This course prepares organizations who would like to pursue SHARP/SHAPE.

NEW Cold Illness Prevention—

October 25, 2023 | 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta

Whether it be outside on a construction site or working in an industrial freezer., some worksites in Maine can be very cold. This half-day class provides recommendations to prevent cold illnesses. Discuss signs and symptoms of hypothermia, trench foot, and other cold stress hazards.

Video Display Terminal Train-the-Trainer—

October 27, 2023 | 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta

Maine’s Video Display Terminal (VDT) law requires employers to train VDT operators how to work safely at the computer. This class prepares trainers, supervisors, and safety-team members to recognize and eliminate the hazards to which VDT operators are exposed.

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.

FMCSA has removed four ELDs from the list of registered Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs)

Motor carriers and drivers using ALL TRUCKERS ELD, GOLDEN ELD, PRIMELD, and SECURE ELD devices have 60 days to replace the revoked devices with compliant ELDs.

On July 25, 2023, FMCSA removed the four ELDs from the list of registered ELDs due to the companies’ failure to meet the minimum requirements established in 49 CFR part 395, subpart B, appendix A.

Motor carriers and drivers who use the ELDs must take the following actions:

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 September 23, 2023.

Motor carriers and drivers who continue to use the revoked ELDs listed above on or after September 23, 2023, will be in violation of 49 CFR 395.8(a)(1)—“No record of duty status” and drivers will be placed out-of-service in accordance with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) OOS Criteria.

If the ELD providers correct all identified deficiencies, FMCSA will place the ELDs back on the Registered Devices list and inform the industry and the field. However, FMCSA strongly encourages motor carriers to take the actions listed above now to avoid compliance issues in the event that these deficiencies are not addressed in time.

Questions?

Contact ELD@dot.gov.

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Troubled timber industry joins trade association for voice in Montpelier

The nonprofit Professional Logging Contractors, or PLC, will bring the work it honed in Maine — advocating for the industry in matters of policy and workforce growth — to the Green Mountain State.

It’s National Logger’s Day!

The official day is only in its second year of existence.

Licensed Foresters – October 10, 2023

Is the Summer of 2023 an Indicator of Future Rain Patterns in Vermont?

After the state of Vermont was hit by devastating, record-breaking flooding and consistently rainy days this summer, people want to know if we can expect more of this in the future. Research indicates that this summer may be an outlier, but Vermont is getting wetter.

       Online presentation for new woodland owners offered – Sun Journal

       Groups are working to protect trees — and traditions — from the emerald ash borer

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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! 

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