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4 Essential Features to Consider When Choosing Modular Access Platforms

4 Essential Features to Consider When Choosing Modular Access Platforms

When it comes to ensuring the safety of your workers, investing in the right equipment is paramount. Companies that prioritize safety not only avoid severe penalties from regulatory bodies like OSHA and OH&S but also create a secure and efficient work environment.


A modular access platform from Northern Platforms is one essential piece of equipment that can significantly enhance workplace safety. These platforms offer versatility, durability, and ease of use. If you’re considering investing in modular access platforms, here are four key features to look for and why the ErectaStep modular access platform stands out. Keep reading to find out more!


1) Corrosion Resistance: Ensuring Longevity and Cost Efficiency

The unpredictable nature of weather and the potential exposure to hazardous chemicals means you need equipment that can withstand these challenges. Corrosion-resistant materials are a must for any modular access platform. With Northern Platforms’ ErectaStep offering, you can rest assured that your investment will remain intact over time, free from rust or corrosion. By opting for corrosion-resistant modular access platforms like ErectaStep, you ensure your workers’ safety and make a cost-effective long-term investment that enhances your operation’s bottom line. 


2) Slip Resistance: Mitigating Fall Risks

Workplace accidents caused by slips and falls can have serious consequences. Slip-resistant surfaces on staircases and platforms are crucial for preventing such incidents. The inclusion of slip-resistant features in Northern Platforms’ ErectaStep modular access platforms provides firm footing even in challenging conditions. Eliminating the common threat of slippery surfaces can significantly improve overall safety levels and reduce the likelihood of these accidents.


3) Ease of Installation: Saving Time and Resources

While fall protection is of the utmost importance, the installation process shouldn’t be a cumbersome task. Some modular access platforms can be complex and time-consuming to set up, causing unnecessary delays and additional costs. Opting for a modular access platform that offers easy installation, upgrades, and configuration can save valuable time and resources. ErectaStep’s design allows for seamless assembly through bolt-together components, ensuring swift deployment and customizability.


4) Mobility and Repurposability: Flexibility for Dynamic Projects

For some projects, mobility and adaptability are key factors. A modular access platform should not only serve your current project but also be flexible enough for future configurations or projects. Configurable platforms and equipment, like those offered by Nothern Platforms‘ inventory of ErectaStep, enable you to tackle more complex projects efficiently. Whether you need to reposition the platform within a single project or repurpose it for different projects or sites, having the correct mobility elements in place ensures efficiency and adaptability.


ErectaStep and Northern Platforms: Your Solution for Safety and Flexibility

Northern Platforms’ ErectaStep modular access platforms embody all the essential features mentioned above, making it a top choice for enhancing workplace safety and efficiency. With its modular components, ErectaStep offers limitless configurations to address your fall protection needs. Let Northern Platforms’ team of safe access solution experts help you custom design an ErectaStep modular access platform system that suits the needs of your operation. 


Contact Northern Platforms today to learn more about our ErectaStep modular access platforms! 

Are You Getting the Most Out of Your Truck Loading Fall Protection Systems?

Are You Getting the Most Out of Your Truck Loading Fall Protection Systems?

A robust fall protection system is non-negotiable when it comes to ensuring the safety of your truck loading operations. Are you confident that your current system is up to the task? At Northern Platforms, we understand the importance of a comprehensive fall protection strategy for truck loading platforms. Below we will guide you through the process of evaluating, upgrading, and implementing a safety solution that not only keeps your workers secure but also optimizes your operational efficiency. Keep reading to find out more!

Let Northern Platforms Assess Your Current System

A truck loading fall protection safety assessment is the foundation of an effective system. At Northern Platforms, our experts meticulously evaluate every facet of your truck loading platform system, including safety cages, gangways, loading arms, safety showers, and more. We aim to ensure that each component and safety equipment is functioning correctly, delivering the level of safety it was designed for.

Northern Platforms’ diligent approach not only guarantees compliance but also contributes to the smooth continuity of your operations. By maintaining and, if needed, replacing equipment, you’re also maximizing your return on investment in your truck loading fall protection system.

How Effective Is Your Truck Loading Fall Protection?

The effectiveness of your truck loading fall protection hinges on various factors, each tailored to your specific needs and loading site challenges. Northern Platforms‘ safety experts will analyze a range of considerations to evaluate the efficiency of your truck loading platforms and overall safety requirements. This may include:

  • Cargo Properties and Hazards: The nature of the materials being loaded and unloaded plays a significant role in determining the required safety measures.
  • Site-Specific Loading Processes: Factors like the volume and size of trailers, traffic flow, space constraints, existing configurations, and current equipment all influence the safety measures needed.
  • Adherence to Standards: Northern Platforms aligns our safety recommendations with relevant industry safety standards, procedures, and best practices.
  • Equipment Limitations: Any power limitations affecting electric or hydraulic equipment use are considered to ensure an effective solution.
  • Maintenance and Changes: Our team assesses whether your existing equipment has been properly maintained and if any alterations to the site layout or loading processes have occurred or are required.

Fall Protection Systems from Northern Platforms

One of the most common causes of workplace injuries is employees attempting to cover flatbed truckloads without proper protection. At Northern Platforms, our innovative fall protection systems eliminate these risks, safeguarding your workers and enhancing their efficiency. Two of the most common systems our team recommends are as follows:

  • Overhead Tarping Systems: By suspending a tarp from an overhead track, our system enables operators to cover flatbed trailers safely without climbing onto them. A powered winch system and hand-held control make the process easy and secure.
  • Access Equipment: Our wide range of SafeRack rolling platforms provides a secure walking surface beside flatbed trailers, railcars, tanker trucks and more, streamlining loading processes while maintaining safety.

Partner with Northern Platforms for Your Safety Needs

No matter the type of fall protection system you opt for, partnering with Northern Platforms means gaining access to industry experts committed to your safety. Our team tailors our solutions to your site and needs, ensuring the best possible flatbed or tanker truck loading fall protection system for your operations.

Ready to elevate your safety measures? Contact Northern Platforms today and take the first step toward implementing a top-tier truck loading fall protection system!

How Safety Swing Gates Enhance Safety in Manufacturing Facilities

How Safety Swing Gates Enhance Safety in Manufacturing Facilities

In addition to the standard outfitting of a warehouse or manufacturing facility, there are many upgrades and extras that can be installed. Some provide better access, others maximize usable space, and some are essential for additional safety. One such integral upgrade is custom swing safety gates from Northern Platforms. Next, we will review some benefits and applications of safety swing gates from Northern Platforms. Keep reading to find out more.

Benefits of Safety Swing Gates

Safety swing gates provide passive fall protection for personnel working at heights, reducing the risk of injury or worse outcomes. This upgrade is commonly installed to supplement the safety of conveyor crossover stairs, working platforms, crossover platforms, factory crossover stairs, rolling stairs, loading platforms and more. Below we will cover some of the manufacturing settings safety swing gates can be used in and the key ways they enhance the work area while keeping your staff safe.

Reduced Risk in Busy or Elevated Locations

Whether in a warehouse or another workspace, there will always be areas that pose a higher risk of slips and falls. These areas include rooftops, catwalks, ladder tops, and elevated platforms. By having a custom safety swing gate from Northern Platforms in those places, you can reduce the risk of slips and falls significantly and simply. Not to mention, by doing so, you also make your employees safer, more comfortable and, therefore, more efficient.

Enhanced Foot Traffic Safety Around Machinery

Mostly but not only applicable to manufacturing facilities, safety swing gates are also essential for separating foot traffic from moving machinery. In addition, safety swing gates are needed whenever factory crossover stairs are installed. So regardless if your application is for bypassing manufacturing machinery or other obstacles, Northern Platforms’ safety swing gates from YellowGate provide enhanced safety and security.

Improved Ladder and Elevator Access and Protection

Your employees climbing a ladder or using an elevator to access equipment or other items poses a safety hazard. However, with the proper precautionary measures, you can mitigate that hazard. In the case of an elevator, safety swing gates can prevent workers from stepping into the shaft of the unit and prevent items within the elevator from falling over while in use. In the case of a ladder, a safety swing gate from Northern Platforms prevents workers from accidentally walking directly into the opening of the ladder. In both cases, our YellowGate swing gates protect your employees from fall accidents.

Increased Security and Access Restriction

In addition to being a valuable safety feature, safety swing gates can serve as barriers to restricted areas, thus protecting your equipment and wares from access by unauthorized personnel or visitors. In summary, Northern Platforms’ safety swing gates have various uses and are a valuable and often essential addition to any manufacturing facility.

YellowGate Safety Swing Gates from Northern Platforms

Northern Platforms is proud to partner with customers in the rail, trucking and transport, marine, oil & gas, forestry and related heavy industries to ensure they have access to the safety equipment that makes achieving their daily operations as safe and efficient as possible. Our first priority is, and always will be, supplying you with quality, safe access solutions and services you can count on when it matters most. From products from top brands like YellowGate, ErectaStep, RollaStep and more to turnkey services and preventative maintenance, Northern Platforms has your site safety needs covered. Contact us today to learn more!

Loading Arms for the Growing Biofuel Sector: Safety, Sustainability, and Seamless Operations

Loading Arms for the Growing Biofuel Sector: Safety, Sustainability, and Seamless Operations

In the pursuit of a greener and more sustainable future, the biofuel industry has quickly grown, offering an alternative to traditional fossil fuels. As this sector continues to gain momentum, efficient and environmentally friendly transportation is vital. At Northern Platforms, we have the loading solutions your distribution network needs to ensure efficiency, safety, and sustainability. Next, we will delve into our inventory of loading arms and explain their benefits to the evergrowing biofuel sector. Continue reading to find out more.

Safety First: Protecting Workers and the Environment

Loading and unloading biofuels means handling potentially hazardous materials, making safety a top priority. Traditional fluid transfer methods often carried risks of spills, leaks, and accidents, posing threats to both workers and the environment. However, Northern Platforms’ selection of OPW and EMCO loading arms address these concerns head-on.

These advanced systems are designed with safety features that minimize the risk of spills, leaks, and emissions. Features such as precise control mechanisms and automated operations assist in reducing human errors and mitigating potential hazards during the loading and unloading process. Furthermore, Northern Platforms’ OPW and EMCO loading arms are equipped with emergency shutdown systems, allowing operators to swiftly respond to unforeseen incidents and prevent significant mishaps.

Driving Sustainability: Reducing Environmental Impact

At the core of the biofuel industry’s mission is to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainability. To align with this objective, the transfer of biofuels must also adhere to eco-friendly standards. Loading arms play a vital role in achieving this balance by significantly reducing the environmental impact of transportation.

One fundamental way loading arms from Northern Platforms can reduce your operation’s environmental impact is by minimizing product loss during transfer. Our top, bottom, and marine loading arms inventory is engineered to maximize accuracy and reduce spillage, ensuring that every drop of valuable biofuel reaches its destination. This efficiency not only boosts profits but also contributes to a more sustainable distribution network.

Seamless Operations: Enhancing Efficiency

Efficiency is the cornerstone of successful biofuel production and distribution. Northern Platforms’ loading arms are designed to optimize operations by streamlining the loading and unloading processes, reducing downtime and increasing throughput.

The flexibility of our loading arms allows them to adapt to various vessel sizes and configurations, ensuring a seamless fluid transfer regardless of the specific requirements. This adaptability reduces the need for complex adjustments or numerous loading systems, saving time and resources.

Furthermore, many of Northern Platforms’ loading arm models are equipped with advanced monitoring and control systems. This real-time data collection enables operators to track transfer progress, detect potential issues, and make necessary adjustments quickly. The result? A well-orchestrated operation that maximizes efficiency and minimizes operational hiccups.

Your Source for Loading Arms and More!

As the biofuel industry continues to expand, the significance of efficient, safe, and sustainable transportation cannot be overstated. At Northern Platforms, we pride ourselves on our comprehensive inventory of loading arms from trusted manufacturers such as OPW and EMCO. We also provide replacement parts such as seal kits, grease nipples, and ball bearings. Moreover, Northern Platforms provide in-house or onsite loading arm services such as rebuilds, recertification, inspections, hydro-testing and more.

So when your distribution operations require loading arms, Northern Platforms has you covered. Contact us today to learn more about our loading arms and parts inventory!

Elevate Safety! Discover RollaStep Rolling Work Platforms

Elevate Safety! Discover RollaStep Rolling Work Platforms

For operations that deal with railcars, tanker trucks, flatbeds, and other elevated work areas, safety, accessibility, and productivity are central, and having the right equipment can make all the difference. At Northern Platforms, we proudly offer innovative, safe access solutions to suit every industry and application. In particular, our inventory of RollaStep rolling work platforms is revolutionizing worker safety and efficiency. Next, we will get into some of the features and benefits of our RollaStep rolling work platforms. Keep reading to find out more!

Introducing the RollaStep Rolling Work Platforms

RollaStep’s series of rolling work platforms are a testament to innovative design and practicality tailored to meet the demands of modern industries. These rolling work platforms epitomize versatility, mobility, and durability, making them an invaluable asset for operations seeking to optimize their production while ensuring their employees’ well-being. Some of the benefits of Northern Platforms’ inventory of RollaStep rolling work platforms include the following:

Unparalleled Mobility

The most significant feature of RollaStep’s rolling work platforms is their remarkable mobility. These platforms are designed to be easily moved to the desired location, ensuring your workers can access elevated areas quickly and conveniently. This enhanced mobility (especially compared to traditional stairs) saves time. Moreover, they improve operational efficiency by eliminating the need for your workers to travel to fixed access points.

Stability for Safety

In any industrial setting, safety is critical. Fortunately, RollaStep’s rolling work platforms excel in this area. Built with a sturdy base and robust materials, these work platforms offer unmatched stability even in challenging, uneven terrain. This stability is not only essential for the safety of your workers who are using the rolling work platforms but also contributes to reducing the risk of accidents on the job.

Adaptable to Fit Your Needs

At Northern Platforms, we understand that one size does not fit all. Fortunately, our offering of RollaStep rolling work platforms are available in various sizes and configurations to cater to diverse requirements. Whether you need a platform with self-levelling capabilities for added security or one that can be easily adjusted to different heights, RollaStep has you covered. This adaptability ensures you can choose a platform that aligns perfectly with your operational needs.

User-Friendly Efficiency

Finally, the RollaStep rolling work platforms are designed for efficiency. Their user-friendly design and quick setup allow workers to access elevated areas promptly, reducing downtime and enhancing overall productivity. Moreover, the ease of movement and adaptability of these rolling work platform units means that your workers can effortlessly carry out tasks that require access to different areas and heights within your facility.

Experience the RollaStep Advantage

Nowadays, workplace safety and operational efficiency are non-negotiable. Fortunately, Northern Platforms‘ inventory of RollaStep rolling work platforms is a transformative solution. Whether you’re navigating railcars, tanker trucks, or elevated work areas, RollaStep empowers your workforce with the tools they need to excel. By investing in RollaStep platforms, you’re not only elevating safety standards but also streamlining your operations for maximum productivity.

Equip your facility with RollaStep Rolling Work Platforms and witness the transformation firsthand! Contact Northern Platforms today to explore the full range of RollaStep products and learn how these cutting-edge solutions can redefine safety and efficiency in your workplace.