The SFI Standard (s. 13.1)
states that certified ogranizations require appropriate training of
personnel and contractors so that they are competent to fulfill their
responsibilities under the SFI 2022 Forest Management Standard.
Further, the SFI Standard (s. 13.1.5) requires that program
participants have written agreements for use of qualified logging professionals.
The SFI FM Standard also requires (Performance Measure 13.2) SFI Implementation Committees to establish criteria and identify delivery mechanisms for training that allows individuals to 1) Attain Qualified Logging Professional status in Central Canada and 2) Maintain their QLP status in Central Canada through continuing education (at least every 2 years).
What is a Qualified Logging Professional?
The SFI 2022 standard defines a qualified logging professional
as follows:
"A person with specialized skills in timber harvesting who has successfully completed
wood producer training programs and continued education requirements
recognized by SFI Implementation Committees as meeting the spirit and intent
of performance measure under Objective 13 in the SFI 2022 Forest
Management Standard.
a) Each crew must include a qualified logging
professional who (1) has completed the SFI Implementation Committee
approved wood producer training program; (2) is an owner of, employee
of, or contracted by the wood producer (3) has direct responsibility and
is on-site regularly to consistently carry out the roles and responsibilities
of the qualified logging professional under the SFI 2022 Standard(s)
(e.g., safety, protection of soils, streams and other water bodies).
b) To be considered a qualified logging professional,
an individual must complete the required training appropriate to their
level of responsibility (e.g., owner, supervisor, employee) within the
specified time period required by their SFI Implementation Committee.
SFI Implementation Committees have the flexibility to require different
training requirements for owners of logging businesses versus training
requirements for other employees (e.g., supervisors). Once classified
as a qualified logging professional, the individual must complete the required
SFI Implementation Committee maintenance training within the prescribed time
period to retain their status as a qualified logging professional."
What does that mean?
The Central Canada SFI Implementation Committee has established
training criteria and training delivery mechanisms for continuing education courses and tools. One or more of these shall be taken by qualified logging professionals at least once ever two years to maintain their status.
This training and awareness gives due consideration to topics listed in the SFI Standard Performance Measure 13.2.2. The following training criteria and delivery mechanisms
are approved and supported by CCSIC member participants.
A Qualified Logging Professional (QLP) meets the following
training requirements:
1. Legal Requirements: The individual must have
all of the training that is legally required (Ontario / Manitoba).
Loggers and Logging Contractors are expected to know what training is
legally required. Some examples could include Mechanical Harvesting
Equipment Operator Common Core (Ontario) and Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHIMS)
2. SFI Awareness & Best Practices: The individual
must have training and awareness of the principles of sustainable forest
management certification, the SFI Standard and Best Management Practices
(BMPs) applicable to their operation.
3. Continuing Education: The individual must have
CE training at least every 2 years (encouraged every year) and demonstrate a growing awareness that supports
past training, safety and principles of sustainable forestry.
The CCSIC has developed the following delivery mechanisms which
serve to further define mandatory minimum training requirements for
Qualified Logging Professionals:
1. CCSIC Training Program. The CCSIC has developed a
series of mandatory CCSIC Training Modules (Courses) for use as training
aids focused on SFI Awareness and Best Practices.
Module 1 - SFI Awareness
Module 2 - Qualified Logging
Professional
Module 3 - Species at Risk,
Invasive Species, Conservation Values, Old Growth
Module 4 - Harvest
Module 5 - Access
Module 6 - Reforestation & Aesthetics
Module 7 - Dangerous Goods
Module 8 - Legal
2. CCSIC Approved Training
Program. The CCSIC respects that members may choose to customize
their own Training Program (Modules / Courses / CE) that meet CCSIC
QLP criteria by building on all or part, of the mandatory CCSIC Training.
Members have an opportunity to have their own training program reviewed
and “approved in writing as equivalent” by the CCSIC Inconsistent Practices
Coordinators. For more information contact your local CCSIC member.
3. CCSIC Continuing Education (CE). The CCSIC progressively
develops CE Training Modules (Classroom) and CE Training Bulletins
(Tailgate) available on the CCSIC – CE Tool Box (Website) as aids for
topical SFM field oriented course work. The CCSIC believes the field
is often the best classroom. Accordingly, the CCSIC recognizes
participants CE Training Programs that are achieved from a variety of
delivery mechanisms: oral or written in the form of presentations;
seminars; workshops; tailgate sessions; face to face meetings or online,
etc. A QLP should consult with their supervisor and/or use their
own professional judgment maintain or upgrade their personal competency
and meet continuing education requirements of their respective training
CCSIC.
How can you get the required training?
The CCSIC and/or individual member companies periodically offer
training opportunities to assist loggers and contractors in meeting
these requirements. Further, CCSIC has developed a series of training
modules for use as training aids. For additional information regarding
required training and to better determine your training requirements,
contact CCSIC
or visit our Resources page for links
to other agencies.
On-Line
Training Modules -- NORCAT Training Documentation
What is a Qualified Resource Professional?
The SFI 2022 standard defines a qualified logging professional
as follows:
"A person who by training and experience
can make forest management recommendations. Examples include foresters,
soil scientists, hydrologists, forest engineers, forest ecologists,
fishery and wildlife biologists or technically trained specialists
in such fields."
The CCSIC and its participants encourage landowners
and their contractors conducting operations to utilize the services
of qualified resource professionals in applying the principles of sustainable
forest management.
What does that mean?
In Ontario, the Ontario Professional Foresters Association (OPFA)
is responsible for the regulation of the practice of professional forestry
and to govern its members in accordance with the Ontario
Professional Foresters
Act 2000.
The OPFA is committed to actively contributing to the sustainability
of Ontario's forests by assuring the highest professional standards
of practice in forestry. The OPFA website is a good source of
information for landowners and contractors seeking qualified resource
professionals.
What is the difference between a Qualified Logging
Professional and a Qualified Resource Professional?
A qualified resource professional specializes in forest and
natural resource management. He/She would be able to help a landowner
develop management strategies and / or specific harvest and renewal prescriptions
for their woodlot. A qualified logging professional is more likely
to be an experienced supervisor/ equipment operator. He/She would
be able to implement the harvest and/or renewal prescriptions developed
by the qualified resource professional.
Roy Mayne (right), Supervisor
for Shuniah Forest Products receives a 2013 Qualified Logging Professional
hard hat sticker from Brian Cavanagh (left), Production Superintendent
Resolute Forest Products and Mike Maxfield (middle), Certification and
Communications Manager Ontario Resolute Forest Products and Chair of
the Central Canada SFI Implementation Committee. |
QLP hard hat stickers are available from program
participants and will increase the visibility and in-field recognition
of QLP's. For more information contact CCSIC.

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