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Program overview - The Master Logger Program (MLP) is a voluntary education program that accredits individuals and the company they represent. The MLP program is targeted to reach logging business owners, foremen and supervisors. However, anyone is welcome to attend. The course curriculum includes thirty-two hours (4 days) of training in the following areas:
In addition, each participant must also have a valid first aid card that includes CPR training. First aid training is not offered as part of the curriculum. The participant is not required to have a valid first aid card to register for the program. The MLP program was developed by Washington Contract Loggers Association, Inc., in cooperation with principles in the timber industry, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Washington State University Cooperative Extension, Washington Farm Forestry Association and the Washington Department of Labor and Industries. Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) - The Master Logger Program exceeds the logger training requirements in SFI. The program has been reviewed and accepted by the Washington State SFI Implementation Committee. Master Logger - An individual who completes the MLP course curriculum, holds a valid first aid card and pays required course registration fees as follows: $160 for WCLA, Inc. members; $500 for non-members. In addition, non-WCLA, Inc. members will be required to pay a service fee of $125 per year ($75 per year for tree farmers). To maintain MLP certified status, continuing education is required. Continuing education - To maintain MLP status, each participant is required to earn at least 8 credit hours of continuing education prior to the expiration of the initial two-year accreditation period and at least 8 credit hours every year thereafter. The participant can earn and be given credit for more than 8 hours a year. Their accreditation expiration date will be forwarded one calendar year for each 8 hours of continuing education completed. Continuing education prior to completing MLP requirements will not be accepted. A continuing education form is mailed to each MLP participant. The form lists several opportunities. Credits may be given for training, seminars or conferences that offer education and training that resembles the MLP curriculum. One credit hour is given for each hour of approved continuing education. For example, a 4-hour seminar would be worth 4 hours of continuing education. In order for credit to be given for a class the participant needs to submit proof of attendance. They should submit a copy of a registration form, agenda, dates and hours of training. Participants can attend future MLP session(s) for continuing education credits.
Expiration/reinstatement of MLP status - The Master Logger Program graduate remains in good standing until he/she fails to meet continuing education requirements or is sanctioned for conduct that discredits the Master Logger Program. Additionally, non-WCLA, Inc. members will be deactivated if the non-member service fee is not paid. To be reinstated for lack of continuing education, the MLP graduate must complete all delinquent credits from previous years. For example, if a person’s accreditation expired on December 31, 2008 and no continuing education had been completed since then, the person would have to complete 16 hours to be current through December 31, 2010. Once an individual's certification is expired by two or more years, they will be contacted, and encouraged once again to submit continuing education credits. If no response is received, the certification will be deactivated until further notice. Record Keeping - The WCLA, Inc. shall maintain all records and administer the Master Logger Program. All MLP graduates shall be listed on the WCLA, Inc. website unless they specifically ask not to be. This list is regularly updated. In addition, for more complete information, including addresses, phones, continuing education status, companies and individuals may contact Tami Au at (800) 422-0074 Ext. 103 or email tami@loggers.com. Continuing Education forms are available at the WCLA, Inc. and the record of continuing education will be maintained by WCLA, Inc. staff. It shall be the responsibility of the MLP graduate to submit those approved courses completed to our office for recording. Company recognition - MLP accreditation is given to the company whose owner or representative(s) completes the mandatory training. In the event an MLP employee leaves employment with the accredited company, accreditation is transferable to another company provided the representative’s accreditation is current and the new company pays the required transfer fees, ($160.00) for WCLA, Inc. members or ($500.00) for non-WCLA, Inc. members. For a company to remain accredited, it must employ at least one MLP graduate who has maintained current accreditation. In the event a company no longer employs an MLP graduate, that company must sponsor a new representative at the next scheduled MLP training in their region. Reciprocity with other states - A person who has completed a similar logger training program in another state will be given credit for that training and WCLA, Inc. will waive the requirements to attend the Silviculture/Ecology and Logging Business Management training sessions. Sessions on Workers Compensation/Safety and the Forest Practices Act (DNR) must be completed, and a current first aid card must be submitted for accreditation. The person must submit proof that he/she has completed a logger training program in another state. Special consideration for small private tree farm owners - Because these individuals only harvest on their privately owned timberland they are eligible for the Master Logger Program - Tree Farmer designation. The training requirements include attending the silviculture/ecology session and forest practices rules and regulations training. They must also have a valid first aid card. Continuing education requirements also apply, as well as a $75 non-member service fee after the completion of the initial certification period. Information, Assistance, Ethical Operations and Company Sanctions - The Master Loggers Program was designed to aid our members to become better loggers and business people, educate them about the laws they must follow, and help them to meet the competition through a continuing education process. The program is offered at a higher fee to non-WCLA, Inc. members, who are encouraged to consider becoming members. To that end, all the resources of the association are available to our membership to reach that goal. Information - WCLA, Inc. has foresters on staff, safety specialists, financial and insurance experts and others that are available for information, assistance, consultation or whatever need may arise. If we do not have the expertise on staff, we have the ability to find that information for you. Assistance - If for some reason, professional assistance concerning the Forest Practices Act or the Forest and Fish Bill is required, because of citations or other legal reasons, WCLA, Inc. can arrange consultation meetings with Department of Natural Resources personnel or whatever agency is needed. Achieving problem resolution before it escalates saves both money and reputations. Ethical Operations - WCLA, Inc. has adopted the Loggers Code of Practice as issued by the American Logger’s Council. The WCLA, Inc. accreditation process does not imply endorsement of any particular company or individual nor of their integrity on the ground. Ethical operations are still the responsibility of the individual company. However, where an MLP company has been shown to operate in an unprofessional manner, has received repeated forest practices violations, civil penalties, or landowners complaints, a sanctions review of that company’s operations may be initiated. Company Sanctions - Unprofessional conduct by an Master Logger Program company, reported to the WCLA, Inc., will be reviewed by a sanctions committee. That committee shall be comprised of the WCLA, Inc. CEO, WCLA, Inc. President, at least one member of the WCLA, Inc. Board of Directors and a representative of the Department of Natural Resources. Appropriate remedial action shall be determined by the committee to correct the unprofessional conduct, up to and including termination of the company’s accreditation.
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