When handling chemicals in industrial settings, selecting the right chemical top loading arm is essential for safety and operational efficiency. These specialized systems provide a reliable connection between storage tanks and transportation vehicles, such as trucks and railcars, which helps streamline all loading and unloading operations.
When choosing which chemical top loading arm is right for your job, there are a couple of things you should consider. Let’s break it down.
Material Compatibility: Stainless Steel versus Carbon Steel
First, make sure that the loading arm’s materials are compatible with the chemicals being handled since chemicals can be corrosive or reactive. By selecting the right material, you can ensure that your loading arm stays safe and in good working condition for longer.
Most loading arms are available in carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. Typically, stainless steel is the best choice for handling most chemicals due to its corrosion resistance. For chemicals that aren’t highly corrosive, try cost-effective carbon steel.
Loading Connection: Tight versus Splash
Next, decide what type of loading connection you need. There are two main types: tight loading and splash loading.
As the name suggests, tight loading forms a tight, sealed connection. This helps prevent chemical vapours or fumes from escaping, which is important when working with hazardous or volatile chemicals. However, a tight loading connection offers no flexibility.
Splash loading, on the other hand, is an open and flexible connection. This type of loading is faster and less expensive than tight loading. However, since the connection is less sealed, splash loading may cause exposure to fumes. As such, this connection should be used for less hazardous chemicals.
When ordering your top loading arm from Northern Platforms, make sure to specify which type of connection you’ll need so that we can ensure our product is 100% compatible with your existing system.
Reach Capabilities: Variable versus Fixed
The reach of your loading arm is another important consideration. Do you need flexibility to connect to different-sized vehicles or containers? Or will you consistently be loading and unloading chemicals from the same type of vessel? This will determine if you need a variable or fixed reach loading arm.
A variable reach top loading arm is highly adjustable and flexible, meaning that you can adapt your loading operations to handle a variety of tanker sizes. Unsupported and supported boom are two popular styles of variable top loading arms.
On the other hand, fixed reach arms are usually set to a specific height and length. This kind of top loading arm is simple, reliable, and best used for loading operations that are standardized across all vehicles.
Your Canadian Source for Loading Arms
At Northern Platforms, we pride ourselves on making Canadian worksites safer and more efficient. Based in Alberta, we can be onsite within days to deliver your order. Plus, we have over 20 years of industry experience, meaning that we are here to help you with all your specific needs.
Interested? Contact us today and let our team walk you through our options for a chemical top loading arm. Plus, you can explore our catalogue for all our safety solutions.
Whether you need safe access over pipes, machinery, or cable trays, ErectAStep’s crossover stairs are a durable solution that maximizes both worksite safety and efficiency. Ready to bring this modular solution to your workplace? Keep reading to learn how Northern Platforms can help.
These stairs are modular, meaning they can be easily assembled, adjusted, or relocated to fit your facility’s specific needs. Crossover stairs are a key safety feature in many industries, helping to keep work areas organized and compliant with safety standards.
How are Crossover Stairs Commonly Used?
Crossover stairs can be used for several reasons, such as:
Passage over obstacles such as pipes, conduits, or machinery.
Efficient access between separate sections of a facility.
Designated maintenance and inspection routes.
Direct pathways over barriers to improve workplace efficiency.
Enhancing safety by reducing the risk of accidents and injuries associated with navigating obstacles on the ground.
Compliance with safety regulations.
What Makes ErectaStep’s Crossover Stairs Special?
Unlike other crossover stairs, ErectaStep’s patented, bolt-together modular design is easy to
install within days. With just a wrench, you can quickly assemble your safety solution–no welding or special tools required. This means you don’t have to spend months planning, measuring, and installing your stair units.
This system features five components (safety stairs, universal handrails, tower supports, universal platforms, and ladder units) that can be used to create unlimited stair and access configurations. The best part? ErectaStep’s crossover stairs can easily be disassembled and reassembled, giving you ultimate flexibility as your facility’s needs grow or change.
How to Choose the Right Crossover Stairs for Your Facility
When choosing crossover stairs, it is important to consider the needs of your worksite. Here are some things to think about:
1. What obstacles or hazards do your crossover stairs need to go over?
Identify any barriers in your workplace, such as machinery or pipelines, to ensure that your crossover stairs are properly designed to provide safe passage. If you have unusual obstacles or hazards, don’t worry. ErectaStep’s modular system is highly customizable and can accommodate even the most tricky situations.
2. How tall and wide do your crossover stairs need to be?
Measure the necessary height and width required to accommodate workers and any equipment that might need to be transported safely across the stairs. Want an expert opinion? Call Northern Platforms and one of your experienced sales representatives will help you find the perfect solution.
3. What is the required load capacity?
Consider how much weight your crossover stairs will need to support, including any workers, tools, or heavy equipment. Typically, crossover stairs are built to handle a load capacity of 500 pounds.
Additionally, safety regulations often require that your crossover stairs are able to support at least five times your intended load without failure, so it is important to choose equipment that complies with these safety requirements.
4. Will your stairs need to be moved or changed in the future?
If so, investing in ErectaStep’s modular stairs is a good idea. If your facility undergoes changes, your crossover stairs can be disassembled and reassembled as needed, which will save you time and money in the long run.
Your Canadian Source for Crossover Stairs and More
Ready to improve your facility’s safety and efficiency? Contact Northern Platforms today to learn more about our customizable crossover stairs and find the perfect solution for your site. Let us help you create a safer, more productive workplace.
When it comes to truck fall protection, there’s no such thing as “one size fits all.” In order to ensure the highest degree of safety and efficiency in your operation, you should develop a system that is unique to you and your industry.
At Northern Platforms, we are committed to helping you find truck fall protection, such as custom loading platforms and loading arms, that seamlessly integrates with your existing equipment. Our experienced sales team can visit your site, assess your needs, and develop a system specifically for you.
The first step in developing a comprehensive truck fall protection plan is understanding what type of truck is coming into your facility. Northern Platforms is ready to provide you with the right equipment for the job, whether it is a dry bulk cargo trailer, a liquid tank trailer, an intermodal tank trailer, or a flatbed trailer. Keep reading to learn what type of truck fall protection is right for you.
Comprehensive Truck Fall Protection Systems
At Northern Platforms, we believe in our expertise, which extends to designing and building complete truck loading and tank trailer fall protection systems. These systems can include:
Custom Loading Platforms: Our loading platforms are engineered to accommodate single truck loading stations to multiple truck loading stations. We understand that trucks and trailers come in various shapes and sizes, so our solutions are flexible and can adapt to different configurations.
Loading Arms: These essential components efficiently load trailers and cargo vessels while ensuring the safety of workers.
Safety Gates: Fall protection is crucial, and our safety gates are designed to prevent accidents and injuries during loading and unloading processes.
Gangways: Gangways offer a safe and convenient means for employees to access the truck or trailer during loading and unloading.
What type of truck are you loading/unloading?
Before we can start designing a truck fall protection program that is tailored to you, we’ll need to know what types of trucks you are dealing with on a daily basis.
Dry bulk cargo trailer
Dry bulk trailers are often used to transport large quantities of loose materials like cement, sand, or grain. Workers must access the top of the trailer to open and close manholes. Since this process requires workers to operate high off the ground, truck fall protection systems are essential.
For this type of truck, Northern Platforms recommends using a safety cage paired with a gangway for optimal performance. The safety cage creates a barrier to prevent falls, while the gangway helps provide safe access to the top of the truck.
Liquid tank trailer
Much like workers dealing with dry bulk cargo trailers, workers dealing with liquid tank trailers often need to get on top of the truck to connect any loading or unloading equipment, inspect the connection site, and more. This dramatically increases the risk of falling, making adequate fall protection essential to safeguarding workers.
Intermodal trailer
Also known as isotainers, intermodal tank containers are used to transport liquids, gases, and powders, both hazardous and non-hazardous, across different transportation modes. These trailers often vary in height, so an optimal truck fall protection system for this type of operation would be highly adjustable and mobile.
Flatbed trailer
As discussed in a previous post, it’s important to be proactive with your truck fall protection. In the case of flatbed trailers, it is very common for workers to get injured when they attempt to cover a load with a tarp.
By using mobile platforms, such as SafeRack’s loading platforms, you can ensure that your workers and contractors are always protected. These rolling platforms provide a safe walking surface beside the flatbed truck while loading. Plus, this truck fall protection system features large swivel casters, allowing the platforms to be easily rolled alongside the flatbed and rolled away when the truck leaves.
Your Source for Truck Fall Protection
No matter what type of truck you are loading or unloading, proper truck fall protection can save lives. At Northern Platforms, we are the industry experts in establishing the best safe access solutions and fall protection systems for any work site. Our team can visit your site, evaluate your needs, and determine the best truck fall protection system for your operation.
Whether your trucks need loading, inspection, or venting, a reliable truck-loading platform will make the process easier and safer. As Canada’s leading distributor of Saferack equipment, Northern Platforms can help you get the products you need for a safe and efficient loading operation. We distribute only the safest, most durable products—these are non-negotiable for industries handling hazardous and potentially hazardous materials.
If you’re looking to add a reliable truck loading platform to your assets, read more below about how we can help you find the best product.
The Benefits of Saferack Products
Our team is happy to be a trusted distributor of Saferack products. With a 500 lb load capacity, solid tires, configuration capabilities, and a double-locking winch, the Saferack truck loading platform offers long-term safety you can rely on. The flawless design of this platform allows it to be easily adjustable and safely moved. It comes in two configurations: parallel and perpendicular. A perpendicular setup allows spotters to more easily spot tank trucks, while a parallel setup allows you to move the platform more easily in tight spaces. Saferack makes replacement parts for their products, ensuring that your investment in truck loading platforms goes further. As a trusted brand in truck loading operations, Saferack gives you better value for your money, all from a knowledgeable distributor.
Why Use Northern Platforms as Your Distributor?
Sometimes, you need things in a pinch. If your safety equipment breaks or goes missing, you need to be able to get access to new products quickly so as not to disrupt operations. Not obtaining new equipment can lead to unsafe practices or stalled operations, both of which can end up costing the business. That’s why we always do everything in our power to ensure you get the things you need, when you need them.
We work with many industries, including oil and gas, marine, rail, agriculture, and pulp and paper. The truck loading platforms we bring you are compatible with loading operations for cement, sand, sulphur, mining, biodiesel, and more. Our staff are aware of the complications that can arise with the range of materials often being transported and will ask you questions to help us help you find the right solution. Depending on the trucks you need to access and for what reason, our recommendations will change. Whatever the nature of the need, our supply of Saferack products means you can get the truck loading platforms you trust, today.
Turnkey Products from Trustworthy Experts
Let one of our dedicated staff come to you onsite to ensure we get an accurate and timely assessment of your needs. We will question you about your problems and find you a solution based on the provided information and what we see. With fast turnaround times, Northern Platforms is the top distributor of safe loading solutions in Canada.
Let Northern Platforms be your source for comprehensive truck loading platform equipment. Contact our team today to start a conversation regarding your operations, and we will reach out as soon as possible.
Are you in search of a safe access solution that doesn’t require permanent space? Especially in smaller facilities, dedicating precious space to a permanent access solution may not be feasible. When that happens, there are other options available!
Northern Platforms is here to help. With brands like ErectaStep, SafeRack, and RollaStep in our inventory, we are a dependable choice for trustworthy Canadian access equipment. No matter your industry—oil and gas, marine, pulp and paper, agriculture, rail—Northern Platforms has loading and safety equipment made for you. Learn more about our portable stairs, and Northern Platforms, below.
Safety and Mobility in One
The mobility of portable stairs is its main attraction. Usable in a variety of locations for a plethora of reasons, ErectaStep portable stairs easily roll across your building to increase safety and productivity. A broad base and handrails support stable climbing without compromising on mobility. Employees can carry products and tools with a lower risk of incurring fall injuries. We understand that safety is not only a legal risk but that you care for your employees’ health and safety, too. For your operations, Northern Platforms can help you find whatever safe access equipment is required.
Versatility and Simplicity
In comparison to a permanent floor structure, portable stairs take up less space and can be positioned in a new location as needed. As such, their footprint is greatly reduced. Make navigating your facility significantly easier without increasing your spending dramatically—portable stairs can move to where you need access solutions. So long as your employees are trained in fall protection, our selection of portable stairs is effective for all ground, whether level or not.
ErectaStep Portable Stairs
In particular, ErectaStep’s metal stairs are prefabricated and come with a broad base for stability and are fitted with non-slip tread. The bolt-together design allows unlimited configurations—saving you time and money on lengthy engineering. It comes in a few different sizes to account for facility, use and movability. An adjustable height and aluminum frame means a fast installation process and safe climbing for you and your workers.
ErectaStep is fully IBC and OSHA compliant. Northern Platforms only distributes quality materials because we understand the reasons behind stringent safety regulations. For technical specs, including BIM/CAD files and LEED/HPD information, contact us today.
Only Quality at Northern Platforms
For 20 years, Northern Platforms has been providing Canada with loading platforms, stairs, swing gates, and more. Our family-owned business is based out of Alberta, and our employees aim to meet your needs with incredible service and support. From turnkey installation to maintenance to personalized customer service, Northern Platforms is Western Canada’s go-to distributor.
We work hard to ensure you get the products you need with fast turnaround service. Your equipment will arrive on-site and be installed within days, not weeks, as we do our best to have equipment on hand to cut down on turnaround time. Find the OPW Engineered Systems, ErectaStep, Saferack, and YellowGate products from someone you trust: contact Northern Platforms today.
