Ensuring proper railcar loading demands a comprehensive system that covers safety from every angle. From loading racks to railcar chocks, this guide will break down everything you need for the perfect railcar fall protection system. Not sure where to start? That’s where Northern Platforms comes in! For over 20 years, our team has engineered turnkey solutions that protect workers and streamline operations across Western Canada. Let’s discuss the essentials.
Fall Protection System Essentials
Railcar Loading Platforms
Loading platforms are essential for any operation when transporting chemicals, food products, and other materials by rail. These structures create stable work zones, allowing crews to load, unload, and easily inspect railcars. A good railcar fall protection system will:
- Increase the productivity, safety, and efficiency of your site.
- Adapt to any railcar type, from pressurized tankers to hopper cars.
- Include comprehensive fall protection with gangways, safety cages, safety swing gates, multi-hatch access platforms, and more.
Standard railcar fall protection configurations can include:
- Single spot: Pedestal
- Single spot: Tower support with integrated canopy
- Two spot: Connected towers
- Multiple spots: Long loading platform with integrated canopy
To design the best loading rack for your site, Northern Platforms will ask the following questions:
- What type of railcars do you usually deal with?
- How are railcars being moved around your site?
- Are you using loading arms or hoses to load and unload?
- How many tracks are you dealing with?
When you partner with our expert team early on, we guarantee that we’ll do what it takes to create a railcar fall protection system that revolutionizes your operations. As a trusted SafeRack supplier, we have over 2 decades of expertise in this industry. Contact us today to get started!
Mobile Access Units
While ideal for many operations, fixed loading platforms aren’t always the right choice. Are you loading for a fall protection system that seamlessly adapts to day-to-day demands? SafeRacks’s MAUI allows operators to inspect cars in multiple locations around your railyard easily. With an adjustable ladder, fully enclosed safety cages, and signature “no flat” tires, this fall protection system is an excellent choice for any operation. Learn more here: “Increasing Workplace Efficiency with SafeRack’s MAUI Mobile Access Platforms”
Key features:
- 500-pound load capacity.
- Completely self-supporting design.
- No-flat tires.
Gangways
As a final fall protection measure, ensure your loading rack is equipped with a high-quality gangway that self-adjusts to eliminate dangerous gaps. For example, many of our railcar fall protection systems use a telescoping flat ramp with a 21” extension length. Learn more about how this product can revolutionize your railcar loading operation in our previous post.
Beyond Fall Protection: Other Essential Products for Railcar Safety
- Spill Containment Pans: Protect your site from accidental spills and accidents. Based on your specifications, we’ll design a spill containment pan that keeps you protected.
- Blue Flags: Railyards use these mandatory visual signals that warn operators when railcars are being loaded, unloaded, or serviced, indicating that movement is prohibited.
- Railcar Chocks & Derailers: Use these simple tools to secure and derail railcars when needed. We stock a full range of wheel chocks, derail equipment, railroad warning signs, and FRA and OSHA-mandated rail safety products.
Trust Northern Platforms for Railcar Fall Protection Systems and More
Canadian-owned and operated since 2002, Northern Platforms is Western Canada’s leading expert in all things fall protection. As OPW’s top Canadian partner and a trusted SafeRack distributor, our turnkey service handles everything:
- Custom design and engineering for complex railyard demands
- Free site visits with certified crews to assess your needs
- 24/7 support from our experts in Leduc
Ready to get started? Give our team a call at 780-986-8825 today!