Our Mission
It is the mission of the CLP program
to provide the best possible training and education to people involved in the
Maine logging industry. The program is equally committed to recognizing the
skill and professionalism of those who meet and exceed the CLP standard. The
successful CLP candidate will be prepared to work safely, productively, and in a
manner that protects, enhances and sustains the forest. Our program will evolve
to reflect changes in the forest products industry and will provide a means for
continual professional growth.
CLP History
The CLP program was founded in 1991
as a combined effort of loggers, landowners, environmental specialists and
safety consultants to establish a standard for professionalism in the Maine
woods. An immediate goal of the program was to combat the high rate of logging
accidents and the resulting Worker's Compensation costs for logging
contractors.
Today, under the sponsorship of the Maine TREE Foundation, the
program takes pride in the fact that the accident rate for loggers is half what
it was when the program began. As a result, mechanical CLP loggers pay up to 34%
less for Worker's Compensation than non-certified mechanical loggers. To ensure
that the needs of working loggers continue to be met by the CLP program, the
Board of Directors remains today, as always, comprised mostly of those who make
a living working as loggers in our forests.
Numbers Don't Lie
- Figures from the Maine
Department of Labor show a significant decline in the number of
logging-related injuries and illnesses since the CLP program began in 1991.
While many factors may have influenced this decline, the CLP program's
emphasis on safety, and its requirement that CLPs maintain a high professional
standard have played an undeniable role in this success.
-
2006 CLP Mechanized Logging Rate - 6.12
2007 CLP Mechanized Logging Rate - 6.12
Training Summary
Below is a chart that describes the
current number of people trained by the CLP program.
PARTICIPANTS
|
NUMBER COMPLETING INITIAL TRAINING IN
2007 |
NUMBER FULFILLLING RE-CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS IN
2007 |
ESTIMATED NUMBER TO ATTEND CLP TRAINING IN SPRING
2008 |
TOTAL TRAINED SINCE
1991 |
| Logging Contractors |
9 |
131 |
20 |
622 |
| Logging Employees |
121 - Mechanical
11 -
Conventional |
364 - Mechanical
187 -
Conventional |
40 - Mechanical
20 -
Conventional |
1549 - Mechanical
2787 -
Conventional |
| Others |
4 - Associates |
36 - Associates |
5 - Associates |
479 - Associates |
| TOTALS |
145 |
718 |
85 |
5437 |
Why Become a
CLP?
Loggers today face many more challenges than they
did even a decade ago. Rules and regulations control virtually everything they
do. Their work environment is fragile and easily damaged. The cost and
complexity of doing business can be prohibitive. To top it off, loggers are
confronted with life-threatening hazards every day at work. So, loggers trained
to handle these challenges are in high demand. Not only do CLPs receive this
training, they also benefit from a worker's compensation rate that is up to
38% less than that of non-CLPs. As the new millenium begins, training and
education will be more and more necessary for a long and healthy career in the
Maine woods.
Why Choose a
CLP?
If you're a landowner in search of a skilled logger to work on your
land, here are a few reasons to search our database for a CLP near
you.
Safety - The CLP program stresses
safety throughout its training and certification processes. This emphasis on
safety has resulted in a reduction in accidents by CLPs that gained them a
special, reduced workers compenstion rate.
Skill- CLPs receive hands-on
training that allows them to develop a wide variety of skills. From layingout a
site, to felling and marketing wood, CLPs have the skills to safely, efficiently
and profitably conduct a harvest.
Knowledge - Regulations, technology
and a complex and fragile work envirornment all pose daily challenges for the
logger. The CLP program prepares loggers to meet these challenges as well as the
needs of their customers.
Stewardship- Stewardship of our forest
is a priority of the CLP program. That is why we provide training in
wildlife protection, erosion and pollution control and sustainable forestry. We
are commited to healthy forests for the future.
Professionalism- Professional standing
is gained through training and experience. CLPs have both. With their extensive
training and evaluations, CLPs are regarded as the true "professionals" in the
Maine woods.
Pride- Pride is what makes a
professional go the extra mile to maintain a safe, environmentally sound,
profitable operation. Landowners can be confident that CLPs will bring this
quality to the worksite every day.
