PLC Member Weekly Update March 3, 2023
In this Issue
PLC Legislative Breakfast and Economic Study – Great to see so many of you Thursday!
2023 Logger and Fleet Safety Trainings – Register Now!
PLC Awards 2023 – Nominations Needed!
PLC Annual Meeting May 4-5 – Book Rooms Now!
Logging theft and vandalism– Rangers can help!
Employee Retention Credit – See if you qualify
New Opportunity to Recruit Veterans – Boots2Roots
ALC Annual Meeting Oct. 3-6 – Book Rooms Now!
Cost Calculators – Members Only
PLC Store – Many items for sale
Safety Resources – NEW HumpDay Video, Feedback!
Trucking – Latest news
Classified listings – Check them out!
Member Discounts – Many to choose from
Logging News – Latest headlines
PLC Legislative Breakfast and Logging Economic Impact Study
Thank you to everyone who made Thursday’s PLC 2023 Legislative Breakfast at the Governor Hill Mansion in Augusta a success! We had a good crowd and it was a great opportunity to reach legislators with the issues Maine logging is facing. Special thanks to Alex and Molly London of PLC Member WW London Woodlot Management Co. in Milo and PLC President Will Cole of Trees Ltd. in Sidney for speaking to the group so well about the industry.
The breakfast also provided the opportunity to release results of the PLC’s latest Economic Impact Study. A brochure highlighting key findings of the study is linked below and the full report is linked in a press release HERE.
PLC 2023 Logger and Fleet Safety 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!
PLC 2023 Award Nominations Needed!
Do you know a person or business involved in the logging industry who ought to be recognized for service to the community, outstanding professionalism or service to the industry? If you do, please NOMINATE THEM for one of the PLC’s annual awards.
PLC Logging Contractor of the Year Award – The PLC Logging Contractor of the Year award recognizes a PLC Logging Contractor for their commitment to the sustainability of the industry and logging as a profession.
PLC Community Service Award – This Award is given annually to a PLC member, Supporting Member or affiliated organization that has demonstrated a significant commitment to giving back to their community.
PLC Supporting Member of the Year Award – The PLC Supporting Member of the Year Award is presented annually to a PLC Supporting Member who has demonstrated an unprecedented commitment to logging contractors in Maine.
Nominations should be received no later than April 14, 2023
Save the Date and Reserve Rooms Now!
PLC Annual Meeting May 4-5 2023
It is time 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:
- Click on Link (can also type in the group code)
- At the top of the web site modify the dates of your stay – 1 or 2 nights
- You will not be charged until the event and the resort fee will be waived
Questions? Email office@maineloggers.com
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.
Employee Retention Credit Guidance
The Employee Retention Credit (ERC) is a refundable tax credit for businesses that continued to pay employees while shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic or had significant declines in gross receipts from March 13, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2021. Eligible employers can claim the ERC on an original or adjusted employment tax return for a period within those dates.
Many PLC Members should qualify for this credit. We advise you to work with your accountant to see if you do and apply if so. More information can be found at https://www.irs.gov/
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
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 Annual Meeting/Full Board Meeting
May 4-5
Bar Harbor, ME
Safety Resources
PLC Jan. 24 2023 Safety Committee Meeting Minutes Available
NEXT MEETING OCT. 2023
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
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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!
Trucking
Guidelines for Companies to Drug Test Employees Not Mandated by FMCSA
Before a company can start drug testing employees not mandated by FMCSA (commercial truck drivers), it must have a policy approved by the Maine Department of Labor (DOL). LEARN MORE
On February 8, 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: ONE PLUS ELD (n/k/a 1 PL Logs)
ELD Model number: ORS
ELD Identifier: ORS160
ELD Provider: ONE PLUS ELD (n/k/a 1 PL LOGS)
ELD Registration ID: 8J3V
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
Logging News
More Maine loggers are leaving the industry, study finds
Inflation, worker shortages, abnormal weather conditions and low prices at the mills have made it difficult for loggers in Maine to operate in recent years.
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/
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.
Member Discounts
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!
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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!
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
