Need a safeguard that keeps your workers in place and enhances the overall efficiency of your workplace? Swing gates are one of the most widely used safety tools used on industrial, retail, warehousing, and related job sites, and for good reason. Thanks to their effectiveness when it comes to serving as adequate fall protection, swing gates are a fantastic way to stay on top of OSHA & OH&S standards and mitigate hazards.
Northern Platforms is proud to be one of Western Canada’s leading suppliers of safe access solutions, including swing gates by Yellow Gate. If you’ve been looking for a reliable safeguard that makes elevated loading and unloading, as well as navigating gangways and related structures safe and efficient, it’s time to consider swing gates! Learn more about the benefits of metal swing gates below!
The Highest Level of Safety
At Northern Platforms, we believe that safety is paramount to successful operations, as well as keeping your crew happy and healthy on the job. Fall protection is one of the most vital aspects of on-site safety and helps minimize the risks associated with catwalks, platforms, loading platforms, rolling stairs, and related equipment. Swing gates serve as a passive form of fall protection by allowing individuals to pass through and perform their duties at higher levels, while also making sure they have stability and the last line of defense that prevents them from falling off.
Gates made by industry leaders like YellowGate offer unbeatable performance and have multiple benefits, including:
Strength And Durability
The best kind of safety equipment will be able to do its job today, but still, maintain effectiveness long down the line without degrading or breaking down. Since swing gates are a more passive form of fall protection, they’re able to maintain their performance for many years to come.
Versatility
While there’s always a place for highly specialized safety equipment, the versatility offered by swing gates is a significant plus to any job site and affords you superior value thanks to the wide range of options available. Steel or aluminum gates can be used both inside and outside and are suitable to serve as access gates, facility restriction enforcement, and more.
Customizable
Need gates that can be installed easily and fit your exact needs? YellowGate has you covered! Gates can easily be custom designed to meet your precise requirements and allow you to operate with confidence, no matter the scope of your operations and facility.
Swing Gates and More at Northern Platforms
Ready to swing to the front of the line for your customers? Northern Platforms is here to help! Located in Leduc, Alberta, our team is proud to offer clients across Western Canada access to leading products from manufactures like YellowGate, SafeRack (we are Western Canada’s exclusive distributor of SafeRack), and more. Contact us today to learn more about YellowGate solutions!
Are you ready to partner with one of the industries leading safe access solutions providers when it comes to loading platforms and rolling stairs? ErectaStep is here to step up to the plate and take control of the market with high-quality solutions that make it easy for your crew to reach higher places safely and efficiently. Northern Platforms is pleased to offer our clients access to the top products in the industry and is pleased to be an official distributor of ErectaStep products, including rolling stairs and access platforms. Find out why we choose to partner with ErectaStep below!
Quality You Can Trust
At Northern Platforms, our first and foremost priority will always be providing our customers with products they can trust. As a family-owned and operated business that’s grown to be one of the leading suppliers of platform solutions across western Canada, we know how important it is to have access to products that stand up to the demands of your daily operations. That’s why we choose to partner with the top brands in the business, leaving no room for error and subpar solutions.
ErectaStep is one of the best-known brands within the industrial loading solutions industry and has long since earned its reputation for excellence over the past 20 years. Each of their systems and related products has helped to set a new bar for safety and innovation, and with wide adaptability that makes them suitable for multiple industries, ErectaStep stairs are the perfect fit for tricky situations as well as applications that require OSHA or OH&S compliance. In addition, ErectaStep’s new International Building Code (IBC) compliant stair series are manufactured and engineered with heavy gauge steel and designed to stand the test of time.
Uses
When you need versatile solutions, it’s time to think ErectaStep! ErectaStep’s products are highly adaptable and can be used for a wide variety of purposes, including facilitating safe movement and reach for workers in environments that would otherwise be difficult to traverse. In manufacturing plants, for example, platforms and stairs are ideal when crossing over pipers and conveyors, as well as HVAC systems and packaging lines.
Thanks to their modular nature, when all 5 parts of ErectaStep’s framework are combined (Prefabricated Metal Stairs, Metalwork Platforms, Industrial Handrails, Aluminum Stairs/Ladders and a Tower Support) you get a comprehensive safe access platform that is sturdy, requires no fabrication and quickly bolts together for optimal convenience.
Additional perks of choosing ErectaStep solutions include:
Fast to Set Up: Need to minimize your downtime? No problem! The modular design needs just 5 components to assemble and requires no fabrication. Each unit comes with simple instructions and a wrench to help you get started.
Reusable: ErectaStep solutions are both cost-effective and dependable and are able to be reconfigured as needed, saving you time, money, and plenty of headaches.
Shorter Lead Times: ErectaStep products are designed to be in stock and hassle-free, meaning you never have to go without. Thanks to the five standardized components and high-tech manufacturing process behind each stair set, ErectaStep delivers safety systems to you quicker than ever before.
Installation: While installation is super quick and easy, if you don’t have the time to assemble & install your ErectaStep system, Northern Platforms Ltd offers on site assembly and installation!
Want to Learn More?
Northern Platforms has ErectaStep in stock and we can ship out your system as soon as tomorrow! With custom configurations and more choices available than anyone else, the perfect fit is just a phone call away! Contact our team today for more information!
Is your team in need of safe loading solutions that make it easy to transport difficult cargo like liquids, hydrocarbons, gasses, crude oil, and more? Loading arms are a fantastic alternative to hoses that allow for high efficiency and superior performance. Northern Platforms is proud to be one of Western Canada’s leading suppliers of loading solutions manufactured by industry leaders like SafeRack, OPW Engineered Systems, Emco Wheaton and many others. Below, we’ll examine a few reasons to consider using loading arms and the benefits they offer. Read on to learn more!
What Are Loading Arms?
Loading arms are designed to act as highly efficient, self-supporting loading systems that allow you to safely transfer fluids and gases from storage tanks to mobile tankers suitable for transport by road, rail, or sea. There are numerous types of loading arms, including top and bottom loading arms, and marine loading arms. Each loading arm has multiple applications and is a frequent asset to those in numerous business sectors including oil & gas, chemical/petrochemical, agriculture, aviation, construction, food and beverage, mining and much more. Because of their wide range of use, loading arms have multiple benefits to your loading/unloading operation. Core advantages to using loading arms include:
Enhanced Safety
One of the most beneficial attributes of loading arms is that they are designed to perform operations as safely as possible. Whether you select a top or bottom loading arm, both help to reduce the risk of tripping over hoses, or running into issues while hauling equipment across flooring by leaving your loading and unloading areas clear. Loading arms are also designed to minimize leakage, which keeps both your floors safe from slip hazards and reduces the chance of cross-contamination.
Longevity
Without the proper equipment in place, loading and unloading equipment can put significant strain on your resources, leading to increased strain and faster deterioration. Loading arms are lower maintenance than hoses and, unlike hoses, which need to be hydro-tested each year (meaning you always need a backup), you won’t have to worry about constantly pulling your loading arms out of commission for repairs and maintenance.
Ease of Use
If you’re tired of hauling hoses across your facility time after time, loading arms are a fantastic alternative. Our units are designed to be spring counterbalanced and ergonomic, allowing them to easily assist with your operations with minimal difficulties. Instead of having to constantly adjust around your equipment, you can rest assured that loading arms are able to adapt to your needs instead.
In addition, loading arms can handle the needs of repetitive tasks with little to no issues, avoiding costly wear and tear over time.
Find Loading Arms and More At Northern Platforms Today
Ready to supercharge your loading and unloading operation? Northern Platforms carries a wide range of loading and unloading arms from top manufacturers like OPW and Emco Wheaton. Contact us today to learn more about our inventory and services all throughout Western Canada.
Did you know that each year, countless workplace safety incidences occur as the result of insufficient fall protection practices and solutions being present on the job site? Falls are among the most dangerous occurrences that can happen while loading or unloading your products to/from railcars, and the aftermath of an accident can have serious repercussions for your business in the long term. At Northern Platforms, we believe in providing our clients across Western Canada with safe access and loading solutions that make it easy to perform your day-to-day operations with minimal risk and maximizing productivity.
With many of our clients having railcar loading or unloading operations on their site, we understand the many unique challenges posed by loading railcars. While using loading platforms and loading arms go a long way toward minimizing risk, knowing how to proactively reduce the chances for accidents or fatalities is a must for every company. Below, we’ll detail three of the key ways you can help keep your worksite safe while dealing with railcars. Read on to learn more!
Prevention is Your Best Protection
As anyone familiar with the OSHA standards will know, when it comes to preventing worksite accidents, prevention is the best defence. While you will almost always find aspects that need to be improved over time, diligence and awareness are your two biggest assets when it comes to mitigating risk and creating a space that’s safe for everyone on site.
Railcars pose unique challenges to safety practices due to the many configurations they come in. The variances between railcars can make it hard for employees to be protected. Railcar lengths, heights, crash box sizes & variances all need to be taken into consideration when designing a safe loading or unloading station. With that being said, forethought, planning, and the right tools will help you keep everyone safe and set up for success.
Safely Equipped
One of the most important parts of injury prevention is using the right equipment that allows you to navigate railcars safely. Loading platforms, tracking gangways, safety cages and additional fall protection go a long way to reducing risk and keeping your crew efficient. And don’t forget before you do anything you need to chock the wheels on your railcar and set up your blue flag! Partnering with an experienced team like Northern Platform makes it easy to find exactly what pieces you need for your specific set-up, and allows you to have the peace of mind of knowing that all products will perform exactly as promised.
Train, Train, Train
Even with the right equipment in place, you should always ensure that all members of your crew have adequate training to know how to safely navigate your equipment, safety gear such as harness, and come equipped with their own PPE as required. Education is one of the most important parts of setting the foundation for a safe worksite and gives your team confidence as well as reassurance that they know what is required of them to get the job done with minimal risks.
Know the Challenges of Your Site
Every worksite is different, as are the needs of the railcars you have coming and going. Be aware of any challenges, limitations and special considerations you need to deal with be it from your facility, your cargo, or anything else you deal with. Thinking three steps ahead will save you time and money in the long run, not to mention keep everyone safe, happy and healthy!
Ready to Design the Perfect Railcar Safety Set Up?
Northern Platforms is here to help! Contact us today to learn more about our available solutions.
Is your railcar loading or unloading operation set up for success? Looking for a way to increase your onsite safety while also boosting productivity? Northern Platforms has you covered. As one of Western Canada’s most trusted providers of safe access and loading solutions from top brands like SafeRack, OPW, Emco Wheaton and more, you can count on our team to help you create a custom system that’s perfectly tailored to your needs. Learn more about the benefits of finding loading solutions for your specific application, as well as our wide range of available products below!
Safety Matters
With strict OSHA and OH&S standards governing industrial worksites, it comes as no surprise that safety compliance is often one of the biggest concerns when it comes to designing a safe loading rack. While it can be easy to overlook details and to rush ahead, the simple reality is, implementing safety measures and utilizing equipment like gangways, loading arms, spill containment & other products drastically reduce the risks that are presented at loading & unloading racks. Each year countless avoidable accidents serve to remind us of the ever-present danger that comes with loading and unloading railcars, and the unique challenges presented by railcars make diligent precautions even more necessary.
Railcars can tend to significantly vary from unit to unit, which can often make loading difficult without additional equipment in place. Loading platforms, which are typically equipped with tracking gangways to allow for miss spotting and variances in railcars allow you to provide the fall protection and safe access required to keep your employees safe at all time. Additional measures like safety showers, eye wash stations and platform task lighting help to facilitate easier access for crew members while reducing the chances of serious injury during loading/unloading.
Loading Arms
Want to supercharge your loading capabilities without compromising on performance or safety? Loading arms are your best bet. With both top and bottom loading arm available, overcoming the challenges typically posed when it comes to rail loading is easier (and faster) than ever!
Spill Containment
We understand that sometimes you can lose a few drips while loading or unloading your railcar, however you are required to contain those drips or spills. Northern Platforms is proud to bring a wide array of spill containment solutions from Ultratech International including railcar track pans!
Gangways, Rolling Stairs, and More
When it comes to safe access solutions, Northern Platforms is your first choice partner. Our inventory features a wide range of products suited for railcar loading, as well as multiple other applications. From the industrial sector to manufacturing, construction, marine, and everything in between, we have you covered. With nearly 20 years serving Western Canada under our belt, you can trust our team to partner with you to find the perfect solution today! Contact us now to learn more!
