PLC Member Weekly Update Feb. 3, 2023

Public Hearing Wednesday on restoring paper FONS option

PLEASE TESTIFY!

Members, The second of the PLC priority bills this session, LD 180, An Act to Allow a Person to File a Paper Copy of a Timber Harvest Notification, has been scheduled for public hearing at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 in the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee. 

We need you to testify in favor of this bill, and we also ask that you please start speaking with 1 or 2 landowners who could come with you to testify in support of this.

This bill will mandate the Maine Forest Service to provide both a paper option and an electronic option for filing a Forest Operations Notification (FONS). In January of 2021, the paper FONS was eliminated in favor of electronic only. The PLC wants the paper form brought back as an option. Senator Russell Black (R-Wilton) has introduced this bill for the PLC. We will send out talking points and a request for members to testify next week, but please put this on your schedule and begin calling landowners that you think would support this legislation. We need to pack the hearing with landowners and members that want to see this change made.   

Instructions on how to testify in person or via zoom from the cab of your machine can be found HERE. Yes, this is correct, you can travel to Augusta and testify in person or you can sign up beforehand and testify via zoom on your smartphone, laptop or tablet. This will make testifying much simpler and easier for our members to chime in on legislation without having to sit in Augusta for hours on end.

This bill is one of the top priorities for the PLC this session.

Please do not hesitate to contact PLC if you have any questions on this.

PLC Legislative Breakfast March 2

RSVP NOW!

RSVP now for the return of the PLC’s annual Legislative Breakfast, being held this year on the morning of March 2 at the Governor Hill Mansion in Augusta! This will the first time the event has been held since 2020 and you don’t want to miss this chance to meet your state Senators and Representatives, includng many new legislators who are unfamiliar with logging and the issues the industry faces. We want a great crowd for this event. See you at the breakfast!

RSVP HERE

PLC Safety and Fleet Trainings 2023

REGISTER NOW!

The PLC is pleased to offer Logger, Fleet and CPR Training for its members in person for 2023, March 30-May 24!

Dues Waived for 2024: If your company attends PLC Spring Training with at least 50% of its employees you will not have to pay PLC dues for 2024!

Please review our Logger and Fleet offerings and return registration forms as soon as possible, but no later than March 24, 2023 to ensure there is room for your employees at the chosen location/s. For schedule and registration info CLICK HERE.

IF YOU PREFER TO REGISTER ON PAPER CLICK HERE

Don’t delay! Register now!

Prevention of Logging Vandalism and Theft

Members, Maine’s Forest Rangers would like to help Maine loggers reduce theft and vandalism. They know how challenging it is for all of you right now and the bottom line is that your profitability can be reduced significantly if parts, equipment, or fuel are stolen or vandalized. 

The Rangers have offered to visit any logging contractor who would like to discuss options for asset security checks. If you would like to take advantage of this offer, please CLICK HERE to fill out your contact information and a Ranger will call or email you to set up a time for a visit.

The Rangers have also compiled a list of best practices that can be used to prevent logging vandalism and theft in Maine which we are sharing with you.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact PLC.

Skidder Bridge Loan Program Survey Please Respond By March 1!

The Maine Forest Service (MFS) skidder bridge loan program provides steel and wooden skidder bridges to the logging community at various locations statewide. Please follow the link below to share your thoughts on the existing program to help the MFS make better informed decisions on enhancing and/or expanding this program to better serve Maine’s forest products industry.

There is currently an opportunity to enhance and/or expand the skidder bridge loan program using federal funds from the Inflation Reduction Act legislation which would allow MFS to replace wooden bridges with steel, and/or purchase additional bridges to service new locations around the state. Funds may also be used to administer a cost share program, where qualified participants could purchase skidder bridge panels out-right at a reduced cost. The Maine Forest Service is eager to hear from the forestry community about how these funds should be best utilized. The American Loggers Council (ALC) helped to get this program funded.

Please take the survey by March 1, 2023.

 TAKE THE SURVEY 

Logger’s Voice Winter Edition Now Available!

The winter edition of The Logger’s Voice is now available!

Copies have been mailed out!

READ THE VOICE

Save the Date and Reserve Rooms Now!

PLC Annual Meeting May 4-5 2023

It is not too early to start thinking about the 2023 PLC Annual Meeting and Log A Load Auction! The meeting will be held May 4-5 2023 at the Harborside Hotel in Bar Harbor. Rooms are already available to book so why not reserve a room now?

Click here to book a room or use: https://www.opalcollection.com/harborside/stay/

Group Code: MEPL050423

Steps to reserve a room at the Harborside Hotel:

1. Click on Link (can also type in the group code)
2. At the top of the web site modify the dates of your stay – 1 or 2 nights
3. You will not be charged until the event and the resort fee will be waived

 Questions? Email office@maineloggers.com

New Opportunity to Recruit Veterans For Your Job Openings!

Send Job Openings to PLC

Members,

The PLC is working with the nonprofit organization Boots2Roots to connect your companies with a new pool of potential skilled workers – veterans recently retired from the military or planning to be who are seeking employment in Maine.

Boots2Roots is the only organization in Maine specifically focused on preparing active duty military members up to a year before they begin their transition for immediate success in Maine, while providing a pipeline of new workforce talent to Maine employers.

The PLC has been granted access to post jobs from our members on the Boots2Roots portal. This will put your job openings in front of veterans accessing the site. As most of you are aware, many veterans have skills or experience applicable to the logging industry, and a proven work ethic. This is a great opportunity!

Send your job openings to PLC Office Coordinator Vanessa Tillson at office@maineloggers.com and she will get them posted for you. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the office at 207-688-8195.

ALC Annual Meeting 2023 in Maine!

Reserve Rooms Now!

Save the Date for the 2023 American Loggers Council Conference and Membership Meeting at the Sunday River Resort in Newry, Maine October 3-6!

American Loggers Council President and long-time PLC Board Member Andy Irish and his wife Kathy look forward to hosting timber industry representatives for the peak “Leaf Peeping” season. More details will be coming soon!

For guests who would like to reserve a room online CLICK HERE

For guests who would like to call to book their reservation lease call 800-207-2365 and refer to Group Code 86B5IN

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

PLC Upcoming Meetings

PLC Executive Board Meeting

Feb. 9  

PLC Office, Augusta ME

Reminder on Electronic Submission of OSHA Form 300A Data

OSHA is reminding employers to submit their 2022 OSHA Form 300A (Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses) data by March 2, 2023.

Who is required to submit Form 300A data?

• Establishments with 250 or more employees that are required to keep OSHA injury and illness records.
• Establishments with 20 to 249 employees in designated industries.
• Establishments under Federal OSHA jurisdiction can use the ITA Coverage Application to determine if they are required to electronically report their injury and illness information to OSHA. Establishments under State Plan jurisdiction should contact their State Plan. 

How to submit Form 300A data:

As part of the Department of Labor’s IT modernization and security enhancement efforts, the Injury Tracking Application transitioned its login procedure to Login.gov — a secure sign-in service used by many government agencies. Current and new account holders need to create a Login.govaccount to submit their 2022 injury and illness data. Detailed guidance on how to carry out this change is available as a job aid and video.

If you have questions, visit the FAQs webpage. If the FAQs don’t address your questions, complete the Help Request Form located on the page. Thank you for your cooperation. 

Office of Statistical Analysis 
Occupational Safety and Health Administration 
U.S. Department of Labor

NEW Featured HumpDay Safety Video – Feedback

NEW Featured Unsafe Zone Video – Dan Qualey: Battery Explosion

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

MaineDOT announces three-year work plan

FMCSA has removed TMS ONE’s ELD ONE from the list of registered Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs)

On January 31, 2023, FMCSA removed the following device from the list of registered ELDs due to the company’s failure to meet the minimum requirements established in 49 CFR part 395, subpart B, appendix A.

ELD Name: ELD ONE
ELD Model number: OELD01
ELD Identifier: OWLA01
ELD Provider: TMS ONE

This device now appears on FMCSA’s Revoked Devices list.

FMCSA Pre-employment Requirement Goes Into Effect January 6, 2023

On November 4, 2022, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse published information titled “Pre-employment Investigations for Drug and Alcohol Program Violations.”  The Clearinghouse notice (re-posted below) is a reminder to certain employers regarding a change requirement that will go into effect January 6, 2023. Learn more

Why the Paper Industry Isn’t Attractive (to Investors)

There’s been a steady decline in the paper industry that we’ve all had front row seats to for years now. The play “Death of a Salesman” doesn’t quite compare to the “Death of Print.”

Warmer winters in Maine brought by climate change could spell disaster for loggers

Maine loggers say the lack of frozen soil means they have to delay projects. Climate scientists say the forests could change forever.

Maine Loggers – January 31, 2023

• FRA Forestry Forum Meeting Announcement – February 2, 2023
• Lunch With a Forester: Tree Growth Tax Law Webinar
• Forestry tools to help locate and protect Globally Imperiled species in Maine

Erosion Control Training and Certification Updates Maine DEP Nonpoint Source Training Center

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is making 10 hours of new online video trainings in various topics available for both certification credits and simply for interest. Anyone can view the videos for free, although a fee would apply for applying certification credit. CEOs can obtain credits and view any of these online training videos for free https://www.maine.gov/dep/training/npstrc-schedule.html (online trainings are at the bottom of the page).

Dear Employer,

      Labor laws and safety requirements can seem complex – join the Maine Department of Labor for no-cost upcoming safety trainings and Wage and Hour Compliance classes!

Upcoming classes:

• Monitoring and Evaluating for Air and Noise Hazards: February 1, 2023 from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta
• If you are new to industrial hygiene, this beginner course explains the terminology, explores the equipment, and dives into the standards to ensure the health of your employees. 

• Public Sector Compliance: February 7, 2023 from 6-8 p.m. – Virtual
• This assistance program is for state, county, municipal and quasi-municipal employers, managers, and employees. It is an overview of public-sector employer responsibilities including injury/fatality reporting, written programs, training, equipment/facility inspections, and recordkeeping. 

• Mine Safety and Health Administration – Refresher: February 14, 2023 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta
• The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) requires all surface mining (ex. Stone crushing, gravel pit, etc.) employees to receive an eight-hour annual training. This one-day course will cover generic MSHA training. However, site-specific training will also need to be conducted once you return to your respective job sites.

• Wage & Hour Compliance Assistance: February 15, 2023 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Northern Maine Community College, 33 Edgemont Drive Presque Isle, in the Keegan Room
• This course is designed for human resource or benefits professionals, accountants, business owners, managers, or payroll supervisors. It will cover wage and hour laws, including minimum wage, overtime, youth employment, severance pay, equal pay, rest breaks, and paid or unpaid leave requirements. It will also address commonly asked labor-related questions.

• Respiratory Protection: February 23, 2023 from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the 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. 

• Improving Your Safety Training Program: February 28, 2023 from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta  
• An effective safety training program will lead to positive effects on safety knowledge and the adoption of safe work practices and behaviors. This one-day training assists safety professionals and safety committees learn how to analyze their audience, update on new training techniques, and develop top notch training programs.

Register and browse more classes here: https://www.safetyworksmaine.gov/training/scheduled_classes/register.shtml

Thermal Energy Investment Program Now Live

The Thermal Energy Investment Program (TEIP) provides financial incentives to businesses, municipalities, educational institutions, and nonprofit entities located in the state of Maine for the installation of new thermal energy derived projects. A thermal energy derived project is defined as;  a project that produces thermal energy and thermal renewable energy credits including but not limited to, (1) conversion of fossil fuel-fired boilers to wood-fueled boilers or boilers using biofuels derived from wood, and (2)  installation of new wood-fueled boilers or boilers using biofuels derived from wood. TEIP requires program participants to substantially share in the cost of projects. To learn more and for documents including teh pre-approval application CLICK HERE.

February 2023 Newsletter

TRUCKING DISCOUNTS THROUGH THE ALC!

PLC Members, because the PLC is a member of the American Loggers Council YOU are entitled to special discounts on truck purchases! Click on the brand names below to learn more!

PETERBILT

WESTERN STAR

INTERNATIONAL

—

Fabian Oil Discount

Traction Heavy Duty Special

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