Professional Logging Certification

[Gadrock]

Today i finished my PLM, or Professional Logging  certification. The classes today were from 8:30 and almost continuous until 5:45. Wow my butt was sore.  At least the first day did not last so long.

So how many other states have a program similar to this?

David Gaddis

carry on

[RunningRoot]

Ohio has a Master Loggers Certification....
Taking my classes next month.....

[lynde37avery]

An old man showed me how to log. Then gave a dip of Red Man chew and bam I was certified. No but for real we got a Timber harvest license for logging. 3 hrs a year.

[BargeMonkey]

 Ny has the TLC certification, been around a while. We have to take 1 full day class per year, and keep a current first aid / cpr to stay in the program. The main guy who runs our gravel pit for us goes all over the state doing the "logger rescue" programs, he does a great job and the classes are getting better.

[SwampDonkey]

I think here in NB it's part of being able to harvest on public owned land, otherwise I think anyone can be a logger on private land. Mills push it because of forest certification requirements. I think first aid training is a whole separate deal. Here in NB 1 first aider is required per 3 employees, no matter what the job.

[Woodboogah]

NH has a voluntary Professional Loggers Program.  I do it, always learn something, keeps you current on always changing regs., and its good networking.  Plus customers like to see it I think.  Good program but as always there are people who bash it.

[timberlinetree]

Wish I could take the class but haven't been able to find time. I'm lic in Ct and Mass and what gets me is Ct won't reconize Mass forestry classes for credit, but will take infant CPR(yes had to take it to get credit in a pinch to keep my lic.) I think it is good though and always like to learn. Congratulations Gadrock! 8)

[thecfarm]

Gadrock,good job.
Cutting on mine own land,no certification is required. But if I was cutting on someone elses land I think I need the classes.

[deastman]

Here in Maine there are two programs, Certifed  Logging Professional and then the Master Logger Certification. Just did my recertification for the CLP program on Friday. The Master Logger program is my next step, it's quite involved to apply and get thru the process.  Maine doesn't require any license to cut on private land but most of the company landowners require contractors to have at least the CLP certification.

[Gadrock]

Here in Mississippi anyone can go down to the store and purchase a saw. Most people just do not care what someone else does on their own land so long as it doen't interferre with their own stuff. But down here you are not going into any mill to sell your wood without the certification PLUS a gozillion dollars in insurance, workers comp, un-employment, etc.

david Gaddis

carry on

[thompsontimber]

NC has PRO Logger, SC has TOP Logger, VA has SHARP Logger...and on and on.  Many larger mills require a certification in order to sell, many smaller ones do not.  Most loggers of any size are certified here, but still some who are not.  Can be surprising to see who is on the list and who isn't.

[Autocar]

I finished my last class yesturday for Ohio. Northwest Ohio Chapter if anyone is interested.

[CCC4]

Here in Mississippi anyone can go down to the store and purchase a saw. Most people just do not care what someone else does on their own land so long as it doen't interferre with their own stuff. But down here you are not going into any mill to sell your wood without the certification PLUS a gozillion dollars in insurance, workers comp, un-employment, etc.

david Gaddis

carry on

Congratulations on your certification! Here, the certification required by some mills is class work mainly focusing timber management such as thinning aspects and types of thinning, erosion control, and other related things. This certification is only mandated on the buyer and or boss when bidding on Government jobs. When you land these bigger jobs the the road work can be extensive and money making. This class helps in proper road cutting.

The class was offered by the buyers themselves, my boss' certification came through Weyerhauser and is mandatory to sell to their log yards. 

[BargeMonkey]

 TLC is required by the state now, 1 guy on the job has to have it. We get 5.00 per mbft more at certain mills, and the $$$ amounts from NYC are quite a bit more once you have the TLC. The classes are cheap, it lowers my insurance but alot of guys fight it.

[Terry1971]

Minnesota has MLEP (Minnesota logger education program) cert. CPR and other classes. $350.00 every year.

[HiTech]

I am not at all sure these certifications makes a logger safer or more competent. I have seen some real butcher jobs since the certifications came into play. Who are the teachers? Are they x loggers? Do they work in the woods? Have they run skidders and other equipment? One guy told me it was sort of like taking Driver Ed when you are under 18 and get a blue card so you can drive at night. I suppose someone's bother-in-law needed a job and this was the results.

[thompsontimber]

I can say that in the case of the PRO Logger program in NC, the program has continued to develop and make great strides over the years. Competent and engaged instruction takes place, important issues facing the logging force are addressed, and acceptance and involvement of the logging community continually increases. Still plenty of gripes about the "money racket" such training really is, but more and more pride in being certified and appreciation for what "I learned in that school." However, it still has plenty of shortcomings.
While BMP implementation and safety are covered thoroughly and repeatedly, the business training that is supposed to be part of the program is grossly lacking. Such training would be greatly beneficial to many in the logging community.  Furthermore, silviculure and harvest methods are not a part of the program. It would seem logical to me to include training, esp in regard to intermediate treatments, for the group that is implementing forestry practices on the ground.

[Texas Ranger]

Texas has a pro logger certification run by the Texas Forestry Association.

[HiTech]

A few years ago a man stopped and introduced himself to me and wanted to use my woods to teach this logger safety. I asked him what the course was about and he told me. He needed a place to have people cut down trees for class or practice or whatever. I told him seeing how it was a state course to use state land, he wasn't going to cut my trees down just for practice. I asked him if he was a logger and he told me he was in the Military. I asked what experience he had in the logging business and he told me he took classes to teach this class. I thought to myself then that is just what we need. Perhaps now it is better but back then it didn't sound very good. Basically what it amounts to is the State covering their backsides. In the Sue Happy Age we live in they had to. Someone gets hurt logging on state lands and the lawyers are lined up at his door with $$ signs in their eyes.

[CCC4]

What does this "Professional Logger Certificate" actually test you on? Is it a cut test or a written paper sit in a class room all day and you are a Pro Logger? I am glad that people go and get some sort of training or try and learn something...but I personally would not cut in the same strip with a guy who proclaims he is a Pro Logger unless he has had years of falling experience. I am not trying to be rude here, I am just wondering what type of training was involved in this Pro Logger Certification class.

[thompsontimber]

No where have I claimed the Pro Logger course makes anyone a professional anything.  Not sure who named the program when it was initiated, but its administered through and by the NC Forestry Association.  Its basically a 3 day course with both classroom training and a "field day" in which proper cutting techniques and BMP implementation are taught and demonstrated.  A yearly continuing education component is mandated in order to maintain "Pro Logger" status.  I also would not consider myself in the presence of a professional simply because they have went through the certification process and paid their fees. 
However, that doesn't mean such training isn't beneficial and that even seasoned veterans can't learn a new and/or better way or become more professional following such training.  Its a good program, but no, it doesn't make you a pro at anything.  Keep in mind the majority of those taking this certification are "professional" loggers though...logging is their business, they do it everyday and have for years, and many feel a bit insulted that anyone is "teaching" them anything about logging.  It is mandated in order to sell to the larger mills, and the folks taking the courses aren't generally your hobbyist logger, they are full time loggers by trade.  And yes, I'm aware that doesn't make you a professional either.  There are plenty of professional loggers who are in fact Pro Logger Certified however.

[thompsontimber]

As for what is taught, its not at all designed to teach someone how to be a logger.  The assumption is that everyone is a logger, and the training focuses on safety, BMPs, proper stream crossings, etc.  Its also supposed to focus on the business of logging, but as mentioned previously, it really doesn't do much in this regard.  Its purpose is to help train those who are logging to do so in a better way in relation to safety and environmental impact.

[Gadrock]

My final day of class the other week was on business of logging, ie the business of logging. Very little on smz or bmp stuff, most on insurance, FUTA, LLC, corporations, papers that are required, Workers Comp legal stuff...and oh yeah...OVER TIME.

Another thing was legality and trucking...WOW.

I cannot wait to have my LLC's in place.

David G


carry on

[ehp]

I'm a master's and just what Thompsontimber said , in the earlier years it didnot teach anybody how to cut a tree down or how to skid it , now in the later couple years to get your masters it takes abit more time and you have to cut in front of a skidder or skid behind a cutter , it depends on what you went after as far as what masters you wanted , Some trainers will make you cut or skid for 1/2 a day for them before saying your approved . Yep its more of a pain but I feel its at least a step in the right direction compared what was in place before cause that taught you nothing on how to fall a tree other than a 12 inch on the stump perfect flat ground no lean tree but your a logger now so as soon as you go to work and your going to cut a 48 inch oak on a 35 degree slope thats leaning up hill hard and you got a 20 mile an hour wind , but some how they forgot to teach you what to do but thats a normal day for a logger

[KyLogger]

Kentucky Master Logger program here......it is................POINTLESS. Just a money racket. That is three full days of my life I will never get back. Plus so many credit hours needed every three years to keep it current. Required by the state forestry for all mechanized logging operations (if you skid with stock you are exempt) They could have easily covered everything we needed to know in one day. To summarize the class; Do not fall trees in water, if you do drag out tops. Keep water clean, use waterbars. Wear PPE. And of course my favorite "Bore cut, always bore cut!" ALWAYS!!!!

Tom