When it comes to workplace safety, dependable loading equipment is a non-negotiable, especially where hazardous chemicals and materials are concerned. With one of the most diverse and reliable inventories nation-wide, Northern Platforms is your first choice for chemical loading solutions. With top products from the names you know and trust and a team that’s dedicated to providing exceptional customer support, you can count on us to have your back when it matters most.
PRODUCTS FOR SAFELY HANDLING CHEMICALS AT NORTHERN PLATFORMS
At Northern Platforms, we know that safety comes first when it comes to safe loading solutions, especially in the chemical and hazardous materials industries. Our extensive inventory makes it easy to find the solutions you need. We are proud to bring you products like:
Loading arms, swivel joints, dry disconnect fittings, breakaway couplings and other fittings for safely transferring chemicals from companies like OPW Engineered Systems & Emco Wheaton.
Loading racks & platforms, gangways & fall protection, mobile truck access units from SafeRack, the industry leader when it comes to safely getting on tops of railcars and trucks.
Platforms, crossovers, stair systems and safety swing gangways from ErectaStep.
Spill containment solutions from UltraTech like spill containment track pans, berms, drum & tote spill containment and other spill containment items to keep your facility in compliance with environmental regulations.
Other safety items like safety showers, emergency eye wash stations.
THE NAMES YOU KNOW AND TRUST
Northern Platforms is committed to providing you with access to products manufactured by the best names in the business, with reputations you can trust. Among our inventory, you’ll find leading solutions from providers like SafeRack (Northern Platforms is proud to be the exclusive dealer for SafeRack in Western Canada), ErectaStep, RollaStep, YellowGate, OPW, Emco Wheaton, UltraTech, Scully and more.
ABOUT NORTHERN PLATFORMS/OTHER INDUSTRIES
Since 2002, Northern Platforms has proudly offered our customers leading safe access equipment including loading racks, arms, rolling stairs, and more. As a family-owned and operated company, we believe in providing exceptional customer service alongside products that you know and trust. With additional services including turnkey installation services and preventative maintenance support, you can trust Northern Platforms to keep you covered, every step of the way!
Every year, thousands of tankers and railcars across Canada are responsible for handling the safe and efficient transport of some of our most vital resources. From coal and petroleum to grain and more, rail freight plays an important role in sustaining our economy and helping businesses across the nation thrive. Northern Platform is pleased to be one of Canada’s leading providers of safe access and loading solutions, with diverse inventory that features an extensive range of products, including rail car loading racks and more. Below, we’ll highlight some of the key factors to keep in mind when choosing rail car loading arms, as well as the benefits of partnering with Northern Platforms. Read on to learn more!
Are You Loading or Unloading?
The nature of your freight as well as whether you’ll be loading or unloading railcars (including whether you’ll be loading from the top or bottom of the unit) are integral to determining what kind of loading arm or platform is best for your operation. Are you splash loading to atmosphere or are you loading the railcar via tight connection? Top and bottom arms, as their name suggests, are better suited to specific loading orientations, and thus knowing your exact needs will go a long way towards finding the right fit. A more detailed breakdown of bottom and top arms is as follows:
Bottom Arms
Bottom arms are designed to have the operator loading or unloading their product from the ground, which provides for increased stability, safety, and speed. Connections are usually made quicker when bottom loading because the operator is not required to get on top of the truck or railcar. Bottom loading arms are spring counterbalanced to ensure efficiency, and the unique design of these units makes them capable of reaching a wider range of openings in comparison to hoses and other types of loading arms.
Top Loading Arms
In contrast, top arms are designed to load from the top and come in many different kinds of models including fixed reach for loading something simple like gasoline to a more complex arm like a molten sulphur supported boom with vapor recovery. Because of their diverse nature, top arms can save you money and enhance ROI, especially when one considers that loading arms are much more efficient and much safer than a hose.
What to Use
As with most important process decisions, it’s important to remember that loading solutions are rarely “one size fits all”. Choosing the best fit for your operation requires you to partner with experienced loading solution providers who will be able to quickly pair you with the right option for the job at hand. Seamless integration and ongoing support will give you peace of mind and ensure that your solutions today match up perfectly with your existing gangways, platforms and other related systems.
Railcar Loading Arms At Northern Platforms
For over 20 years, Northern Platforms has been Western Canada’s leading choice for platform and loading solutions, We’re proud to offer clients in the oil & gas, petroleum, construction, agriculture and surrounding industries access to the products they need from manufacturers they can trust, including top names like OPW. As a global leader in the development of loading and coupling systems, OPW’s designs are perfectly suited for a wide range of needs all the way from standard drum filling operations to the unique requirements of the petrochemical industry and more.
Need loading access solutions that allow you to move on the fly and perform high reaching tasks with ease? For those in the aerospace, agricultural and retail sectors, mobile loading platforms are a vital part of maintaining daily operations. From filling tankers and trailers to stocking inventory shelving and everything in between, having safe, reliable loading options gives your team peace of mind while ensuring you stay on track. This makes mobile platforms a valuable asset for a wide range of applications. Northern Platforms is proud to be one of Canada’s premier sources for mobile loading platforms, including products by industry leaders like SafeRack. Northern Platforms is Western Canada’s exclusive distributor of SafeRack solutions, including the world-renowned MAUI system.
Learn more about the benefits of mobile loading platforms, including MAUI below!
Mobile Vs Permanent: What to Consider
When deciding between mobile and permanent loading platforms, there are a few key factors you’ll want to keep in mind to help narrow down your selection. For example, while permanent solutions are fantastic for facilities and operations that have set deliveries and operations that are near uniform in loading requirements, mobile platforms afford greater flexibility and can be moved throughout your facility should the need arise. Additionally, due to their versatility, many purchasers enjoy the extra ROI offered by mobile units, as they can be used to accommodate a wide range of needs.
Should you choose a mobile unit such as the MAUI system (more on that below!), you’ll also want to consider what kind of surfaces you’ll be moving it across, whether or not you require a hitch or forklift pockets, and how you plan to implement transport when needed (do you need a forklift? Would you prefer a specialized product like the Maui Mover?). Knowing where and how you intend to use your mobile loading platform or rolling stairs will make it easier for Northern Platforms Ltd to help recommend the right piece of equipment for your specific operation. Our goal at Northern Platforms Ltd is to help you to make sure you make the most informed choice possible!
Choose the SafeRack MAUI Today
As one of the most trusted names in the loading platform industry, SafeRack products are known for their exceptional performance, durability, and innovative designs. SafeRack’s MAUI is built to provide safe loading solutions for a wide variety of applications, including truck loading, inventory stocking and much more. MAUI units are crated from quality materials you can trust and feature no-flat tires, alongside a rugged base that requires minimal maintenance. Combined with a sturdy rolling platform, telescoping ladder, and a frame that’s capable of handling up to 500lb and designed to fulfill OH&S / OSHA requirements, you can count on MAUI to be the perfect loading platform solution for all your needs.
Mobile Platforms and More at Northern Platforms
For over two decades, Northern Platforms has offered our customers access to leading safe access equipment, loading racks, and loading arms manufactured by the top names in the business such as SafeRack, ErectaStep, RollaStep and more. Our commitment to you is that we will always carry the best products for the job including RollaSteps 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!
Is your team in need of modular platform systems you can trust? Northern Platforms is Canada’s first choice when it comes to safe loading platforms including access products by top brands like ErectaStep. Known for their exceptional quality and performance, ErectaStep access platforms and stairs make it easy for crews to reach elevated areas with minimal risk and enhance daily operations. Northern Platforms is pleased to be an official distributor of ErectaStep and to carry a wide range of their products, including rolling stairs and access platforms. As an industry leader for over 20 years, ErectaStep has built a trusted reputation. Find out why, as well as the benefits ErectaStep access platforms and stairs below!
Unbeatable Quality
ErectaStep is a well-known name within the industrial loading solutions industry, and for good reason. Since arriving on the scene over 2 decades ago, the brand has consistently set a higher bar for quality and innovation on a wide range of stair kits suitable for use with multiple industries. Each of ErectaStep’s pre-engineered and pre-manufactured stair kits are built using advanced laser-cutting technology and patent-pending designs in order to ensure superior performance as well as OSHA 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.
Applications
One of the biggest benefits of choosing products from ErectaStep is the versatility in terms of applications. Access platforms and stairs can be used for many different purposes, but are predominantly depended on to facilitate the safe movement of workers and equipment in areas that would otherwise be unsafe to reach. In manufacturing plants, platforms and stairs are useful for crossing over pipers and conveyors, as well as HVAC systems and packaging lines. 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. YellowGate is the industry leader when it comes to supplying Safety Gates & Swing Gates in a range of industries, which include petrochemical, manufacturing, commercial and Oil & Gas.
Key benefits of choosing ErectaStep solutions include:
Easy to Start: When you need to get set up fast, ErectaStep has you covered. The modular design requires 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 thanks to the fact that they can be easily moved and 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, and with the five standardized components and high-tech manufacturing process behind each stair set, ErectaStep delivers safety systems to you quicker than ever before.
Safety First: OHSA/OH&S compliance is built into every one of ErectaStep’s products, meaning you can rest easy knowing that your solutions are built to code and designed to keep everyone safe.
Long Life of Service: When dependability and longevity count, you can trust ErectaStep to have you covered. Each product is manufactured out of high quality aluminum which is built to last, saving you time and reducing your spend over time.
Ready When You Are: Northern Platforms has ErectaStep in stock and we can ship out your system as soon as tomorrow! With custom configurations and more available, the perfect fit is just a phone call away!
Are you in need of safe and efficient loading solutions for railcars? As one of the most depended upon resources for heavy industries worldwide, hopper, gondola, and tank cars play a vital role in ensuring the transport of key resources like grain, steel, coal, gasoline and more. The average weight of a standard freight car is approximately 250,000 lbs, meaning that safe loading and unloading is a top concern for operators. Northern Platforms is one of Canada’s leading distributors of safe access equipment, including platforms, gangways, loading arms, and more. With top products manufactured by the names you know and trust, you can count on our team to have your back when it matters the most. Below, we’ll discuss a few main factors to keep in mind when deciding whether to you permanent or temporary railcar loading solutions. Read on to learn more!
Why the Right Fit Matters
Choosing between permanent and temporary rail loading solutions doesn’t need to be a hassle, but it should always be front of mind to ensure the safety and efficiency of your operations. Knowing what kind of solution is best suited to your environment, as well as your specific application helps to guarantee optimal performance today, tomorrow and in the many years to come. When deciding between a permanent or temporary railcar loading system, considering the following:
Are You Loading or Unloading?
Loading and unloading both have unique needs, which certain pieces of equipment will be better equipped to handle compared to others. Additionally, you’ll want to know where you are unloading from (i.e. top or bottom), as this will help to further narrow down your selection. From telescoping gangways to loading arms and dry disconnect fittings, Northern Platforms is pleased to offer a wide range of options to suit all your loading and unloading needs!
What Kind of Data Do you Have on Your Railcar Fleet?
While permanent solutions may be best suited to transport locations that deal with very specific (and consistent cargo) and therefore deal with a fairly uniform range of railcars coming and going, temporary options may afford more flexibility where needed. Keep in mind key data points such as the size of railcars you’ll be working with including the min and max length/height, crash box ranges, and all other related information when making your selection to ensure the best fit.
Are You Planning on Using Loading Arms or Hoses to Load/Unload?
Depending on what kind of cargo your railcars will be hauling, either a loading arm or hose system will be best equipped to handle the loading and unloading the railcar. Again, as with above, if your facility will be consistently handling a specific type of cargo, make sure your selection is well equipped to handle your application, permanent or not.
Are You Going to Need Spill Containment Underneath the Railcars?
Safety should come first at any job site, so in addition to spill containment provisions, you should also consider if you’ll need safety showers or eye washing stations that can be integrated into whatever system you select. If this is the case, your permanent equipment can easily integrate with any of solutions Northern Platforms has available.
Ready to Get Your Show on the Road?
For over 19 years, Northern Platforms has offered customers across Canada safe and reliable solutions for your railcar loading operations. Partnering with the industry leading safe access solution provider SafeRack for gangways and loading racks to representing companies like OPW & Emco Wheaton for loading arms, at Northern Platforms Ltd you’ll find the best in class products for your facility. You’ll also find products from industry leaders like Ultratech, Scully, Aldon and more. Our team is proud to put your needs first and to work closely with our customers to find the right fit, every time. Learn more about our Railcar solutions as well as our extensive range of other items by contacting our team today!
