NH Timber Harvesting Council
Professional Logger Program

NH Timber Harvesting Council Annual Loggers and Truckers Convention
October 25th Plymouth, NH

The 16th Annual Loggers and Truckers Convention for NHTHC will be October 25th at the Common Man Inn, in Plymouth, NH. We will post more information as it becomes available.

REMINDER: If you participated in the Professional Logger's Program this year, and are now Certified or Recertified, you will receive that certificate at the Loggers and Truckers Convention in October. PLEASE RESERVE THIS DATE ON YOUR CALENDAR!

NOTE: It is the responsibility of the logger to inform NHTOA/NHTHC office of any classes or credits that should be added to their record. Also if you should be listed as CERTIFIED please call the NHTOA office at 603-224-9699 or email Deb Park at offmgr@nhtoa.org.

Questions about other classes and/or logging related events for PLP credits please contact our program director: Steve Wingate 603-224-9699 or email: prodir@nhtoa.org.

If your contact information has changed please call the office.

If you would like a NH PLP Personal Log Book to help keep track of what you need for certification or recertification, please contact the office at 603-224-9699 or click on the link for a PDF version.

REMINDER: If you participated in the Professional Loggers Program this year, and have completed the requirements, you will receive a certificate at the Loggers and Truckers Convention October 25th. PLEASE RESERVE THIS DATE ON YOUR CALENDAR!

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:

1. To provide standards of training within the timber harvesting industry of the state.
2. To conduct training programs which benefit loggers by improving work efficiency, safety and environmental awareness.
3. To provide public and professional recognition for loggers completing training programs.
4. To improve awareness and compliance of timber harvesting and wetlands laws and regulations.

WHO MAY APPLY?

Any person gainfully employed in the harvesting of timber to include manual or mechanical felling, limbing, bucking, skidding, trucking or chipping. This person may be a business owners, contractor or employee of a business that make timber harvesting it primary work. Residents of surrounding states conducting 25% or more of their business in New Hampshire may also qualify.

PLP CERTIFICATION

Any qualified individual successfully completing 32 credits of basic course work within two years will be certified for a period of four years. Those individuals hoping to become certified should complete the required course work within two calendar years. It is possible to repeat courses taken earlier if the two years have gone by. NH certification is valid for four years. First Aid & CPR should be renewed every two years.

Basic Courses for Cutters/Equipment Operators:

• First Aid & CPR - 8 credits
• NH Timber Harvesting Law - 8 credits
• Safe and Productive Felling Practices - 8 credits
• Fundamentals of Forestry - 8 credits
  

Basic Courses for Truckers:

• First Aid & CPR - 8 credits
• NH Timber Harvesting Law - 8 credits
• Safe Trucking - 8 credits
• Fundamentals of Forestry - 8 credits

Basic Courses for Mechanized Logging Operators:

• First Aid & CPR - 8 credits
• NH Timber Harvesting Law - 8 credits
• Mechanized Harvesting - 8 credits
• Fundamentals of Forestry - 8 credits

PLP RECERTIFICATION:

To maintain certification, a qualified timber harvester is required to participate in 32 credit hours of related continuing education programs or public service, within four (4) years of initial certification and each four (4) years thereafter. Sixteen (16) of those credits must be in First Aid and CPR. (The National Safety Council requires that First Aid and CPR certificates be updated every two years.) Before credits for recertification can be earned, the logger or trucker must have started course work for certification.

CATEGORY I.
*Formal Education / Self-Improvement
Credits are awarded for classes toward a degree or certificate. One credit is earned for one hour of instruction, with a maximum of 8 credits in this category. Examples include:

• High School G. E. D.
• Business courses
• College courses
• EMT courses
• Certified Welders Program
• Computer courses

If you have taken a course or workshop proof of attendance is required.

CATEGORY II.
*Logging / Forestry Seminars and Meetings
Any logging or industry related classes or seminars offered by NHTHC, UNH Cooperative Extension, Forest Resources Association, Northeastern Loggers Association, SAF, Vermont and Maine programs, or other state or regional organizations may apply. Credits will be awarded based on the following:

1 hour of instruction time = 1 credit
(no limit to credits earned in this category)

In the past NHTHC in cooperation with UNH Cooperative Extension, have provided eight credit elective courses these are recent examples:

• Basic Welding
• Advanced or Specialized Welding
• Book Keeping for Loggers
• Logger Rescue
• Wildlife Management for Loggers
• GPS for Loggers
• Advanced Falling
  
• Best Management Practices
  
• Evaluating Best Management Practices
  
• Maintenance of Mechanized equipment

If you have taken a course or workshop proof of attendance is required..

Check the NHTOA web site (www.nhtoa.org) for current course opportunities in spring or fall. Call the NHTOA office or talk to a Timber Harvesting Council representative if you have a course idea.

CATEGORY III.
*Community and Professional Service
Credits are awarded for participation and leadership in community and professional organizations (up to 8 credits can be earned in this category).

Examples: (Community Service)

• Selectman (8 credits)
  
• School Board (8 credits)
  
• Conservation Commission (8 credits)
  
• Scout Leader (8 credits)
  
• School Presentations (1 hour = 2 credits) Etc.

Examples: (Professional Service)

• NH Timber Harvesting Council committees (8 Credits for 3 years)
  
• Forest Resource Association committees (8 credits)
  
• Northeastern Loggers Association committee (8 credits)
  
• Volunteering to help with special projects (Fund-raisers, assisting with PLP classes, etc., 1 hour = 1 credit)

New Hampshire Professional Loggers Program Booklet is available to help explain the requirement for certification and recertification. If you would like a booklet mailed to you please email Deb Park at offmgr@nhtoa.org or call the NHTOA office at 603-224-9699

Questions about the Professional Logger Program please email the Program Director: Steve Wingate prodir@nhtoa.org

Verification of Classes and Courses to be used for Credits:

Verification of Category III type of service must be in the form of a written statement describing the level of involvement and it must be signed by the chairperson of the board or group with whom you serve. If you are the chair, have someone who serves with you sign a statement.

• If you have written letters to the editor of a newspaper, magazine, other publication, or if you have written your legislators, submit copies to the THC office. One credit per article or letter with a maximum of eight credits.
  
  
• If you produce a newsletter, send a copy of it and indicate what the distribution is.
  
  
• If you have presented testimony at a legislative hearing, this is worth two credits per hour, with a minimum of two credits.
  
  
• If you have taken a course or workshop proof of attendance is required.
  
  
• Regardless of the specific category of your credits, it is up to you to inform the New Hampshire Timber Harvesting Council of what you have accomplished toward re certification. We will not call anyone for verification.
  
  
• The date of re certification will be December 1 of the year that the course work is completed.
  
  
• The NH Professional Loggers Program Personal Log Book is a great place for you to record any re-certification work and keep copies of certificates. The Re certification Committee will review everything that is submitted. You will be notified of the committee’s decisions regarding re certification credits.

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