Let's put it this way, a woman in a logging class is about as common as a logger in a knitting class. So my presence in class added an element of fun to the whole day.

Our first order of business today was safety, as it should be, for as Certified Logging Professionals safety is our number one priority. The logging profession is the second most dangerous profession in the state of Maine next to fishing, so knowledge truly is power. The entire first day of training was devoted exclusively to "First Aid for the Logging Professional" with Kim Lynch. Kim kept our attention with lots of first hand accounts of actual real life situations that kept us grounded in reality.

When you are on the job site any number of things can go wrong, and most of those would not be the most expected. For instance, I heard a story today of how a saw on a slasher just broke away and literally went flying through the air, sending teeth scattering in all directions, one smashing through the windshield of a pick up truck.

The general public thinks that the dangers from logging come only from chainsaws and trees, when in reality there are many, many ways to be injured on a logging job.

Kim had some graphic pictures to really drive home the point of how to best handle those life threatening situations that any logger might find themselves in.

We had the opportunity for real life practice in assessing the situation and making the decisions that could ultimately make the difference between life or death. As loggers we can find ourselves in a situation that has difficult access with many miles between us and help. So the skill of quickly assessing the situation is one that we need to focus on as we approach an accident and begin the decision making process.

After a full day of practice, vivid real life examples, and gaining the tools to make informed decisions, I feel ready to help any of my fellow crew members in a moments notice.

The Master Logger Certification is designed for professionals who are seeking to be on the cutting edge of what the new face of logging is all about. Consumers are asking for certified products. People want to know that the wood products they are using are born of responsible harvests.

Maine Custom Woodlands went through the rigorous process to become Master Logger Certified, and was one of the first 24 companies in history to acquire this certification. The Maine model was the first in the world, and our boss Thomas Cushman worked on the panel to create these standards. Now this model is being implemented in various places around the country and around the world. We are professionals who need to live up to the standards of our certification. There are times where these standards hinder the business of generating money, but hopefully in the long run, all the Master Loggers will be rewarded for their dedication to the environment.

In order to become certified, Maine Custom Woodlands had to go through a rigorous third party certification process. This process consisted of a 3-5 hour site interview, 10-15 past and current harvest sites were identified, and 3 professional references were obtained.

Part 1 of the Master Logger Certification process consists of:

A) The written interview
B) A company profile
C) Documentation of reference checks
D) Documentation of a background check of the company’s compliance with business and natural resource laws

All companies that go through this process are identified only by a number. This keeps the identity of the company from the Certification Board. This confidentiality keeps the board impartial.

Then two MLC accredited field verifiers visit 10 to 15 coded harvest sites. These field verifiers are respected professionals in the industry. They must be experienced, licensed foresters or working/retired professional loggers. When they visit these sites they are documenting that the company meets all the standards of the certification.

The company applying then signs a Code of Ethics and release form that indicates a desire to move the application forward to the Certifying Board. The Board consists of four people from Maine and four from outside the state. They meet and review each application. There needs to be a unanimous vote of acceptance from the Certifying Board in order for a company to become certified.

Once completing the certification process, there is a public graduation and celebration. Here in the state of Maine graduation is traditionally held at The Governor’s Mansion.

As a Master Logger Certified Company we are required to uphold the eight goals which are further defined by harvest responsibilities with their own set of performance standards. Here is a list of the Eight Goals along with the Harvest Responsibilities.

Goal One: Document Harvest Operations Planning

H.R. #1: Discuss any existing forest management plans with the landowner/forester.

H. R. #2: If no forest management plan exists, the harvest company creates a harvest operations plan based upon landowner objectives and in compliance with all federal, state, and local laws.

H.R. #3: Conduct a pre-harvest and post harvest assessment of the site.

Goal Two: Protect Water Quality

H.R. #1: Organize and plan road construction and access to harvest location in a manner that prevents soil erosion and does not impede water flow.

H.R. #2: Prepare skid trails in a manner that does not reduce soils absorbency.

H.R. #3: Attend to stream management zones in a manner that does not divert or concentrate water flows.

H.R. #4: Manage stream crossings during harvest and road building.

H.R. #5: Establish logging yards at the proper distance from streams, ponds, lakes, marshes, steep slopes and wetlands so as to maintain the benefits of vegetation next to water bodies.

H.R. #6: Monitor all regulations and obtain necessary permits in accordance with federal, state, and local laws.

Goal Three: Maintain Soil Productivity

H.R. #1: Assure future forest soil productivity by harvest planning and on the ground layout.
H.R. #2: Minimize and stabilize exposed soil.

H. R. #3: Close out the harvest site, complete the post-harvest check sheet, and follow-up as necessary.

Goal Four: Sustain Forest Ecosystems

H.R. #1: Determine if the forest management plan has delineated current wildlife habitat to remain undisturbed. If no forest management plan exists, wildlife habitat should be delineated in the harvest plan.

H.R. #2: Check all special or unique sites and clearly mark boundaries per harvest plan.

H.R. #3: Discuss with the landowner/forester the need for attention to preserving native biological diversity.

H.R. #4: Delineate any understory/overstory areas landowner/forester wants preserved due to unique flora or fauna.

H. R. #5: Ensure that post-harvest stands are left in good condition for future forest growth and regeneration.

Goal Five: Manage Forest Aesthetics

H.R. #1: Discuss the aesthetic consideration of the harvest with the landowner/forester.

H.R. #2: Exhibit an aesthetic sensitivity in areas that adjoin roads and highways, known recreation trails, landing areas, vistas, and other areas of local community value.

H.R. #3: Communicate with employees to ensure the removal of al unnecessary debris from the harvest site and seed landing areas when prescribed.

Goal Six: Ensure Workplace Safety

H.R. #1: Track compliance with all OSHA rules for safety awareness, personal protective equipment, machine operation and maintenance, hand tool safety, harvesting and felling, sharpening of blades, notching, yarding, limbing, and handling flammable or combustible liquids.

H.R. #2: Document an OSHA compliant safety and health plan that includes a hazard communication program, lockout/tagout program, blood born pathogens, etc.

H.R. #3: Initiate Superior Management Practices (SMP) that exceeds minimum expectations of federal and state safety laws.

Goal Seven: Demonstrate Continuous Improvement

H.R. #1: Develop and implement Superior Management Practices (SMP)

H.R. #2: Incorporate advanced and emerging harvest technologies.

H.R. #3: Maintain accurate production data.

Goal Eight: Ensure Business Viability

H.R. #1: Provide technical and training support to company employees and abide by all federal and state labor laws.

H.R. #2: Utilize technology to improve planning and decision making.

H.R. #3: Actively participate in the logging industry on local, state, regional and national levels.

Green is here to stay, and those who want to stay, will have to be green!

Any environmentally aware timber harvesting company has spill kits on all of their machines. Our Master Logger Certification demands that we meet this requirement. While out in the woods any machine can develop a problem which can cause a hazard to the environment. Diesel, hydraulic fluid, or oil can spill from a machine. While a machine is smack dab in the middle of 100 acres and a spill occurs, the operator needs the tools to take care of that spill immediately. Thus the need for spill kits on every machine.

We purchase special pads that are about the size of a cloth table napkin. These pads can absorb 25 times their weight. When an operator experiences a spill of any kind, they immediately throw pads on the spill to begin absorbing the offending liquid. The next step involves shoveling the tainted soil into a container. That is where the contractor bags come in. So the container that carried the tools to clean up the spill becomes the container to carry away the tainted soil.

We have a spill kit in the service truck and one on each machine. Our service truck stays on or near the landing (where the trees land). So when something happens on the landing there’s a spill kit available to clean it up. Then each of the skidders has a spill kit secured in their cabs, as well as the feller buncher.