Looking for safe access and loading solutions that allow your site to excel and operate at maximum efficiency, while also staying on the right side of OH&S and OSHA standards? Northern Platforms is here to help! With one of Western Canada’s largest inventories of rolling stairs and crossover platforms from ErectaStep, as well as an extensive range of loading platforms and more, our team is proud to partner with businesses in a wide range of industries to make sure you have everything you need to succeed. Below, we’ll highlight 3 of the most common benefits for crossover stairs. Read on to learn more!
Access Heights Safely
Safe access at heights to the ability to retrieve products in high places comes with a certain level of risk, which can be easily mitigated through the use of a rolling platform or set of rolling stairs. Having a solid platform and access points allows your team to go about their work safely, without risking the falls or slips that may otherwise occur. ErectaStep products are highly customizable with the option to include additional safety measures like swing gates or adjustable heights as an extra level of protection where necessary.
Functional Crossovers
Certain facilities benefit exponentially by having access equipment that allows them to go up and over the general floor layout for their operations, giving you plenty of space on the ground, as well as better options overall. Crossover platforms and rolling stairs can be used overtop of conveyors in manufacturing plants, as well as out of the way of machinery, ducts, piping, cable trays, utility boxes or other factors that would otherwise pose hindrances. With your safe access over your equipment, you’ll have more floor space and less stress.
Pre-Engineered Safety
ErectaStep is a patented, pre-engineered and pre-manufactured stair kit that has durable power coated handrails and are built using advanced last cutting technology that offers superior quality and durability. ErectaStep’s versatility lends itself to use in a wide variety of industries, from petrochemical to manufacturing, to aerospace and oil & gas, ErectaStep has a solution for any industry. We can save you the time of having to generate drawings, wait for a quote, wait for a lead time and wait for installation. With our online configurator tool, we can design and quote your system within the same day. Because we have ErectaStep in stock, we can design today and install tomorrow!
Proudly Partnered: ErectaStep and Northern Platforms
At Northern Platforms, our top priority is, and always will be making sure your team has access to the highest quality safe access solutions, including crossover and rolling stairs for your warehouse or job site. ErectaStep is one of the most trusted names in the industry, and we are proud to partner alongside them to stock a wide variety of their solutions in our inventory for your convenience. Designed to offer superior versatility and performance, ErectaStep’s modular design can be configured to any need with only 5 modular components. When all parts are combined, you’ll have an all-in-one solution that doesn’t require any field fabrication and can be set up quickly for maximum convenience.
Alongside our ErectaStep solutions, you’ll also find the best safety swing gates in the market from YellowGate. YellowGate’s self-closing safety gates are fantastic for sites of all kinds, and can safely close off openings between 16″ to 36″ to provide a safe working environment in any gated, barrier, or railing needed area. For optimal convenience, the gates come in variable lengths, have adjustable swing directions, compatibility with all different types of mounting systems, and plenty of other top-tier options.
For rolling steps and platform options that are easy to use, built to last, and designed to give you the best return on your investment, contact Northern Platforms today!
Looking for a platform or rolling stair solution that make it easy to navigate your storage facility safely? Northern Platforms is proud to offer Western Canada’s leading access to the top safe access solutions in the industry; including platforms and stairs from leaders like ErectaStep. With a reputation built on quality and performance, ErectaStep is the perfect fit for facilities of all sizes and ideal for multiple applications. Below, we’ll highlight some of the main benefits of using modular platforms and stairs. Read on to learn more!
What are the Benefits of Modular Stairs?
Modular stairs offer multiple benefits to your operations, with safety and efficiency at the forefront of their design. With just about every sector being an ideal fit for rolling stairs and platforms, adding them to your business is a great way to increase production while adhering to OSHA & OH&S standards. Thanks to their versatility, modular stairs are a common fixture in the industrial sectors, where the need to safely access items from high up is a common challenge. Platforms and rolling stairs not only make it easy to reach elevated items, but to do so with minimal risk to your team, especially with the addition of self closing safety swing gates and fall protection.
Along with the industrial sector, modular stairs are ideal for use in the following areas:
Food & Beverage
Agriculture
Roofing
HVAC contractors
Maintenance Industries
Energy Sectors
Material Handling, and many more
Why Trust ErectaStep
ErectaStep believes in creating products that are second to none where quality is concerned, and over the past two decades, their team has consistently manufactured products designed to stand the test of time and provide exceptional results. With their dedication to innovation and performance, it’s no wonder that ErectaStep has become a trusted industry leader, and Northern Platforms is pleased to stock a wide variety of their solutions in our inventory for your convenience.
ErectaStep’s products give you versatility and variety, and when all 5 parts of ErectaStep’s modular framework are combined (Prefabricated Metal Stairs, Metalwork Platforms, Industrial Handrails, Aluminum Stairs/Ladders and a Tower Support) the result is a comprehensive safe access solution that is sturdy, requires no fabrication and quickly bolts together for optimal convenience.
Northern Platforms is also proud to be a Canadian stocking distributor for YellowGate Self Closing Safety Gates for pairing with modular access systems. The YellowGate Safety Gate offers adjustability to safely close off openings between 16″ to 36″ to provide a safe working environment in any gated, barrier, or railing needed area. Variable lengths, adjustable swing directions, mobility, and universal mounting systems are a few key features that make the YellowGate Safety gate superior to other comparable products.
For rolling step and platform options that are easy to use, built to last, and designed to give you the best return on your investment, contact Northern Platforms today!
If you’re in need of safe access solutions that make it easy for your employees to safely access to tops of railcars and trucks, safety platforms and gangways are the ideal way to keep your crew safe and keep production efficient. At Northern Platforms, we’re proud to offer our clients across Western Canada access to leading solutions from industry giants like SafeRack. Designed in compliance with OH&S and OSHA standards, SafeRack gangways provide superior protection for all activities occurring on the tops of railcars or trucks and help you stay on track, no matter the application at hand! Northern Platforms is Western Canada’s exclusive source for all SafeRack products including their self-adjusting stair gangway. Learn more about SafeRack, as well as the benefits of partnering with Northern Platforms below!
Why Use Gangways
Gangways and safety cages are typically used to allow people safe access to the tops of railcars and trucks and provide fall protection while on top of those vehicles. Examples of when gangways and safety cages are used include when an operator or employee is loading and unloading rail cars or trucks, when they are inspecting or opening hatches, when they are deploying a loading arm or hose or when they are retaining a sample of the product inside that railcar or truck. Gangways not only serve as a safe and efficient way to access the tops of vehicles, they also ensure the employee or operator have fall protection while they are on top of that vehicle.
Types Of Gangways
SafeRack & Northern Platforms Ltd offer three (3) distinct styles of gangways. The Self-Adjusting Stair (SAS) gangway is built to articulate and self level. SAS gangways are designed to accommodate varying heights of vehicles. SAS gangways are typically used in truck loading applications. The Flat Ramp (SFR) gangway is a flat ramp loading platform ideally suited for applications where there the platform and vehicle height are equal. SFR gangways are typically used in hopper car loading applications. The Flat Ramp Telescoping (FRT) gangway is a flat ramp gangway that has a telescoping end that extends out to increase safety and access to the vehicle. FRT gangways are typically used in liquid liquid railcar/tankcar applications. All three (3) styles of gangways that we offer have a 500 LB free standing load capacity and come in a variety of widths and lengths with your choice of materials of construction and are always built to suit each individual application. Options for gangways include safety cages, gangway tracking and power (pneumatic, hydraulic or electric operation).
SafeRack Solutions
With an industry-wide reputation for excellence and performance that just won’t quit, SafeRack has earned its position as one of the most trusted and in-demand manufacturers of gangways and more. Northern Platforms is pleased to carry SafeRack’s line of platforms and gangways. Crafted from high-grade aluminum, SafeRack’s self-adjusting gangway system is designed to fit a vast range of vehicle heights and offer a superior lifecycle thanks to its U-Body design, SAS gangways are rugged, and require minimal effort to raise and lower onto the vehicle you are accessing. SafeRack gangways also offer the option to include a gangway track system to allow for miss-spotting of vehicles, and when you buy from Northern Platforms, you can rest assured your equipment will be shipped as quickly as possible for your convenience.
SafeRack Equipment at Northern Platforms
Northern Platforms is your exclusive distributor of SafeRack products throughout Western Canada and offers easy access to their extensive range of safe access solutions all across the region. Our inventory features the SafeRack self-adjusting stair gangway and much more. Contact our team today to learn more about SafeRack’s gangways and how they can improve safety on your site!
Does your processing facility deal with a high level of product transfer or shipping that requires your team to be able have quick, easy and safe access throughout your operation? Want to maximize your efficiency without having to compromise on space or safety? Modular platforms are a great way to increase mobility and efficiency, all while ensuring your facility is as safe as possible. Platforms are extremely versatile and can be adapted to fit just about any space, especially if you partner with a talented team like Northern Platforms, who can make it easy to find the perfect fit for your unique application.
Below, we’ll discuss some of the key factors to keep in mind when choosing a loading platform for your facility. Read on to learn more!
Determining Your Needs
Just like adding any other piece of equipment to your resources, the most important place to start is to determine your specific needs with regard to both facility capacity and operational requirements. Consider aspects like your overall budget, whether you need a platform that can move from location to location, what the safe weight capacity needs to be, if you need external installation assistance, what dimensions you need, and most importantly, what requirements you need to meet in order to be in alignment and compliance with health and safety standards.
Weigh Pros and Cons
As we mentioned above, when you’re deciding on what kind of platform works best for your facility, there’s a wide range of factors that you need to have in mind. In addition to these base necessities, you’ll want to consider if you need a custom fit or a more standard modular platform for your operation. Each offers you distinct benefits, and you’ll want to spend some time chatting with your representative to determine which fit is best for your facility. Custom platforms, for example, will be specifically designed for your needs and thus can easily fit around equipment and utilities, but you may also find that they cost more compared to standard modular platforms depending on your exact needs. Modular platforms, on the other hand, will be less customized but are often convenient and faster to get installed as there’s no time needed for a custom build. The right fit will be whatever model manages to best accommodate the majority of your needs while staying on budget and in alignment with your timeline for installation.
Modular Platforms and More at Northern Platforms
Northern Platforms is a family-owned and operated business based out of Leduc, Alberta. Our team puts your safety first and is pleased to stock products from the top names in the business, including SafeRack, ErectaStep, RollaStep and more. Among our inventory, you’ll find products like RollaStep’s MP Mobile Work Platform, as well as both the G and C series mobile platforms. In addition, Northern Platforms also offers turnkey installation services and preventative maintenance support to ensure you’re always covered, every step of the way.
Learn more about our mobile platform solutions as well as our extensive range of other items by contacting our team today!
Are you looking to increase the efficiency and safety of your loading operations? With inventory facing all-time highs in demand, 2022 is the perfect time to focus on streamlining your business performance and optimizing your efficiency. Loading arms are a valuable resource to any company handling gases or liquids, and help keep your process safe while expediting delivery at the same time.
Northern Platforms is proud to be one of Western Canada’s top providers of loading arms, loading solutions and safety access equipment and we proud to bring you products from industry leaders including OPW Engineered Systems, Emco Wheaton, SafeRack and more. Below, we’ll discuss some of the main aspects you’ll want to consider when choosing the appropriate loading arms for your applications. Read on to learn more.
Know the Different Types
Loading arms come in two different variables: top and bottom loading arms. Bottom loading arms allow the operator to remain on the ground for better safety, and utilize a robust swivel joint with spring balance to allow for longer reach and increased access to connections on the truck or railcar. Top loading arms have more options available and can be purchased as either a single fixed reach, scissor arms, boom arms and more, each of which has its own advantage serve your operations in different ways.
Regardless of which model you choose, loading arms have multiple benefits for your business, and can help your production move along faster than ever before.
Compatibility
Loading arms are, first and foremost, designed for ease of use and handling. When determining if your existing loading racks are compatible with arms over ordinary hoses, you’ll want to focus on how integration will work with your existing setup. Loading arms offered by the different manufacturers that we represent are highly adaptable and easy to install/integrate with existing equipment like gangways, platforms and loading racks, meaning that you’ll face fewer headaches and minimal risk while in use.
Loading Arms and more at Northern Platforms
Northern Platforms is proud to offer a wide variety of loading arm options, including top and bottom loading arms from OPW Engineered Systems and Emco Wheaton Canada. Designed for optimal performance, these loading arm systems are perfect for loading and unloading petroleum products, chemicals and liquefied gases and offer benefits such as quicker connections and seamless integration with existing loading operations.
As Western Canada’s leading source for safe access equipment and loading solutions, Northern Platforms is proud to supply numerous loading arm products to our clients from top industry manufacturers. View our loading arm inventory here, or learn more by contacting us today!
