PLC Supporting Member Weekly Update Nov. 10, 2023

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.

Pictures of the event are available on the MLOFT Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MaineMLOP

Logger’s Voice Fall Edition

Now Available!

The Fall 2023 edition of The Logger’s Voice is now available!

PLC Online Store

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.

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:

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.safetyworksmaine.gov/training/scheduled_classes/register.shtml

If you have questions about safety or upcoming classes, reach out to SafetyWorks! at 1-877-SAFE-345 or general.bls-safetyworks@maine.gov.

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

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.

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.

Licensed Foresters – November 7, 2023

November 2023 Newsletter 

       4 Grafton County towns to benefit from $12M fiber buildout – WCAX

       Letter to the editor: Logging, including on Snake Mt., boosts biodiversity

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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