Looking to level up your operations in 2025? Investing in truck loading and unloading systems is a great place to start. These racks can improve efficiency on your site and protect your workers. In this post, we’ll outline what every potential buyer should consider before investing in a truck loading platform in 2025. Keep reading to learn more!
Key Features of Truck Loading Platforms
Looking to select the right rack for you? Consider the following features:
Load Capacity: How much does your loading platform need to handle?
Adjustability: Do you need to load and unload trucks of varying heights and sizes?
Hatch Configuration: Do your trucks have bottom or top loading hatches? Do they have both?
Mobility: Do you regularly load and unload trucks in the same location?
Regulatory Compliance: Does the loading platform comply with your area’s local and national regulations?
Workers regularly risk falls, slips, and other accidents when loading and unloading tanker trucks. A misplaced step could result in a fatal fall without proper fall protection. When you invest in truck loading platforms, your workers can get up and down from these trucks quickly and safely. Plus, if your rack is designed with your workers in mind, they are less likely to put their health at risk by cutting corners or misusing the equipment.
Increase Productivity
Simply put, safer workers mean better operations. When you reduce the amount of worker injuries, you increase the efficiency of your operations and ensure that you are consistently meeting the demands of your business.
SafeRack’s Truck Loading Platforms
If you are debating which brand to partner with for your new loading system, look no further: SafeRack’s products are undoubtedly the best in the business. Self-adjusting stair gangways ensure a level walking experience for workers at all times. This system is also ideal for many customers because it easily fits around both rounded tanker trucks and square isotainers. Customers also prefer SafeRack over their competitors due to integrated safety cages, meaning that workers are always protected from falls. Additional key features of SafeRack’s truck loading platforms include:
Gangways have a 500 lb load capacity
Gangways are often equipment with a safety cage
Adaptable configurations including tracking gangway to allow for miss-spotting of vehicles
Can be supplied with loading arms
Made from heavy-gauge galvanized steel or aluminum
Custom Loading Systems from Northern Platforms
At Northern Platforms, we are here to help every step of the way. From design to delivery to installation, we’ll ensure your new loading and unloading racks integrate seamlessly into your existing operation. We have over 20 years of experience building safe and efficient truck loading racks, so you can count on us to have your system designed quickly! Trust the Northern Platforms team for anything from routine operations to one-of-a-kind situations. We can customize your truck loading platform to include:
Start designing your truck loading system with Northern Platforms today! Simply schedule a site visit, and one of our experts will assess your operation and provide suggestions for your new system. Trusted for our exceptional customer service, the Northern Platforms team has made worksites safer and more efficient since 2002. Contact us today to get started!
Let’s face it: warehouses, plants, and other industrial facilities are full of hazards. Whether it’s heavy machinery, unprotected edges, or chemical exposure, the risk of worker injury lurks around every corner. Ask yourself: what are you doing to make your site safer for your workers?
The fact is that more than 40,000 Canadian workers are injured yearly from falling accidents. But what if we told you that you could help significantly reduce this number with one simple piece of equipment? It’s true–all you need is a pallet of YellowGate’s self-closing industrial safety gates from your local safe access equipment supplier. In this post, we’ll discuss the countless benefits of this product and how to use it to make your site safer and more compliant within minutes. Keep reading to learn more!
The Importance of Safety Swing Gates
Historically, worksites have relied on chains to secure openings to stairways and ladders. However, due to new OSHA regulations, there has been a shift away from this solution. Instead, employers have transitioned to more reliable and comprehensive fall protection methods, such as safety swing gates. These crucial fall protection systems help prevent falls without requiring workers to wear active fall protection, like harnesses or safety lines.
These safety solutions are superior to chains for a variety of reasons. As mentioned, OSHA no longer allows chains for fall protection on ladders and stairways, meaning you could be fined for leaving your access points unsecured. Additionally, safety swing gates significantly reduce human error by being self-closing. While chains can be easily overlooked, forgotten, or left open, YellowGate products are spring-loaded and automatically close behind you, eliminating falling hazards altogether.
One Product, Endless Applications
Ready to improve the safety of your site? With YellowGate’s universal mounting kit, you can rest assured that this product will work for every location, surface, or opening in your facility that needs a safety gate. They can be installed onto walls, square stock, angle iron, and round rails or pipes. Plus, they are adjustable and can be used on openings ranging from 24” (61cm) to 37” (94cm).
Thanks to their versatility, these protective gates are used in many industries, including oil and gas, food processing, rail, manufacturing, and more. Here are some common uses for YellowGate’s safety gates:
Ladder & stairway openings
Rooftop access points
Restricted areas
Elevated work platforms
Loading docks
Temporary work areas
Additional Benefits of YellowGate’s Swing Gates
In addition to protecting your workers, YellowGate products are the best safety swing gates on the market thanks to several unique and high-quality features, including:
Stainless steel mounting hardware
Lightweight & rust-proof aluminum construction
Proprietary hidden springs
Universal mounting, both perpendicular and parallel
Adjustable swing direction
Preassembled construction for fast installation
How to Install YellowGate’s Self-Closing Safety Swing Gates
With YellowGate’s newest model, adding adjustable swing gates to your operation has never been easier. Here’s how to install a safety swing gate in three simple steps:
Step 1
Decide whether you need the parallel or perpendicular orientation. If parallel, skip to step 2. If perpendicular, simply remove the parallel mount spring and replace it with the provided perpendicular mount spring.
Step 2
Next, attach your gate using one of the three bolt anchors provided with your product.
Step 3
Finally, adjust your self-closing gate to the proper size. Tighten the clamps.
Northern Platforms: Your Source for Safe Access Solutions
Are you ready to make your industrial facility or plant safer? Contact the Northern Platforms team today! We have pallets of self-closing swing gates in stock now and ready to ship from our warehouse in Leduc. Plus, our inventory includes hundreds of other safe access solutions from trusted suppliers like ErectaStep, SafeRack, RollaStep, and more. Explore our inventory and get ready to level up your worksite.
Railcar wheel chocks are essential in any rail loading system. These simple pieces of equipment prevent accidental movement when loading, unloading, or working on a railcar. According to OSHA regulations, workers must use wheel chocks and car brakes whenever a railcar is being worked on. You can purchase this equipment from your local supplier of safe-access equipment.
Types of Railcar Chocks
Several types of railcar chocks are available for different situations. Whether you are dealing with exposed rail, need something that blocks movement in both directions, or are looking for special features, it’s essential to select the right device for loading your railcars safely. Let’s review the differences between these types of railcar chocks.
Exposed vs Flush
What type of rail are you working on? This will determine what kind of chock you should use. Exposed rail chocks are designed for tracks where the rail is open to the ties. On the other hand, flush rail chocks work for situations where the rail is encased in pavement.
Single Wheel vs Double Wheel
Next, consider how much security you need. Do you need to block movement in both directions? Will your tracks have vibrations or a slight grade? If you answered yes to either of these questions, we recommend double chocks, which provide high protection for cars being worked on. Single chocks should be sufficient if your tracks are completely flat and experience little to no vibration.
Not sure what type of chock is right for you? We’ll break down proper chocking procedures later in this post.
Tips for Using Railcar Chocks Effectively
Pair Them with Other Railcar Safety Equipment & Fall Protection Systems
Pairing your wheel chocks with other safety equipment can help bring your safety system to the next level and substantially reduce your risk of accidents. For example, blue flags should be used whenever rail cars are loaded, unloaded, or worked on. They warn approaching vehicle operators that there are workers in the area and to proceed cautiously. Additionally, we recommend investing in a safe loading platform designed to handle the unique challenges associated with working on railcars.
Follow Proper Wheel Chock Procedures
You’ll need to make sure that you are using your chocks correctly. When determining how many wheel chocks you need for your railcar, consider the following:
For single cars
If idle, on a storage track, and being worked: Use double chocks on each end of the car to block movement in both directions.
If idle and being worked on a slight dip: Single chocks on the foremost wheel on both sets of wheels to prevent it from rolling in one direction.
For multiple cars
If coupled and moved forward to be unloaded/loaded: Brake and chock both ends of the primary car being worked on, and brake and chock additional cars if needed.
If uncoupled for separate work: Brake and chock each car individually.
Remember never to use wheel chocks for railcars on slopes or hills. Instead, use car stops or rail skates.
Get the Most Out of Your Chocks with Aldon’s Replaceable Spurs
All good wheel chocks feature spurs, which are strong, heat-treated pieces of metal that bite into the rail and prevent the chock from slipping. However, much like a knife, the spurs in your chock will dull over time. Luckily for you, Aldon’s railroad wheel chocks feature replaceable spurs, meaning you can extend the life of your equipment and avoid costly replacement fees.
You can tell that your spurs have dulled when your wheel chock starts sliding. When this happens, simply tap the spur out of its slot and re-insert it with a new edge exposed. Then, once you’ve used all available sides, you can purchase replacement spurs.
Choose Northern Platforms for Turnkey Railcar Loading and Fall Protection Systems
As Western Canada’s choice for railcar loading systems, Northern Platforms has everything you need to make your operations safer, smarter, and more efficient. When you partner with us, you’ll get access to our extensive inventory of safe access solutions from trusted suppliers like SafeRack, Aldon, and more. Plus, we offer turnkey installation and preventative maintenance to all our customers.
When dealing with LPG loading and unloading, there are two important factors to consider. First, propane and other gases are difficult and dangerous to deal with. During transportation, the railcars are pressurized to keep the chemicals in a liquefied state. This allows for easy movement of a high volume of natural gas by rail. However, the biggest challenge is safely loading and unloading, as this substance can be highly volatile if not handled correctly. For example, if the railcar pressure is not carefully maintained, the LPG can become a gas again, resulting in a deadly explosion.
Secondly, any company that stores, handles, or transports liquid petroleum products is subject to the regulations set out in NFPA 58, the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code. This document helps mitigate risks, ensures safe installations, and prevents failures that could lead to fires and explosions. The complexity of these regulations, paired with the hazards of handling these chemicals, highlights the importance of proper and comprehensive safe loading systems from a qualified provider.
The Solution: Safe Railcar Loading & Unloading Systems
If you plan to deal with LPG in your rail operations, you will need a fully NFPA 58 compliant loading station. This includes safe access to the top of the railcar through a loading platform, safety cage, and gangway. It will also need to feature automatic shutdown valves in case of an emergency such as a fire, leak, or railcar rollaway. Your system should also include tight connections, vapour recovery systems, and adequate fall protection.
“Bull Horn” Loading Arm: A single arm that divides into dual connections. LPG railcars typically have three connections (two product lines and one vapour line).
“A” Frame Loader: Favoured for its flexibility, long reach, and easy maneuverability. It is ideal for loading racks that feature dual unloading lines.
When all these elements are combined, you can rest assured that your railcar loading system is efficient, safe, and compliant.
Trust Northern Platforms for Customized LPG Loading Systems
When selecting your equipment, you’ll want to design a system you can count on to keep things running smoothly, especially since your system will be used daily. That’s where an expert safe access provider comes in. These professionals have the expertise and experience to consider your site’s specific needs and install a system that works best for you. For example, when you partner with Northern Platforms, our team will visit your operation, interview your workers, and engineer a solution based on their answers. In addition to loading systems, we can provide recommendations for crossovers, work platforms, and more to help ensure you have the safest and most efficient loading system possible.
Ready to get started? Learn more about how Northern Platforms can revolutionize your operations, and schedule your site visit today!
A catwalk system, also known as a runway, is a narrow pathway or extended platform that gives workers safe access to elevated working areas. These systems help workers easily access maintenance areas, hard-to-reach equipment, and other parts of their facility. Are you looking to integrate a catwalk system into your warehouse? Keep reading to learn how ErectaStep’s modular and prefabricated catwalk system integrates seamlessly into your space without welding or custom fabrication.
What are the Elements of a Modular Catwalk System?
This system has five main components for catwalk construction that can be assembled and configured without welding or custom fabrication. From simple walkways to valve access platforms, use these elements to create the perfect solution for your worksite:
Catwalk systems are one of the most versatile solutions on the market and can be used in countless industries, including manufacturing, oil and gas, food processing, and more. Northern Platforms can help you set up industrial platforms, bridge maintenance walkways, construction site platforms, shipyard access platforms, and more. Erectastep’s modular catwalk systems have even been used in wineries to help elevate safe and easy access for workers!
What are the OSHA and OH&S Standards for Catwalks?
Occupational regulations for catwalks are important because they guarantee safe working and walking standards for individuals using a catwalk system in the workplace. All of ErectaStep’s bolt-together components are pre-engineered to comply with OSHA standards, including handrail specifications, tread depth, and riser height.
Free of fall hazards, including protruding objects, loose boards, corrosion, leaks, spills, snow, and ice.
Inspected regularly and maintained when necessary.
Able to maintain the maximum intended load.
Additionally, here are the more specific OSHA regulations around handrails, width, and load requirements:
Handrail requirements: Required for catwalks located 4 feet or higher above a lower level.
Width requirements: Minimum width is 18 inches. If accessed by a stairway, the catwalk must be the width of the stairway (minimum 22 inches).
Load requirements: Must support the maximum load, which includes the weight of employees, equipment and materials.
Toeboard requirements: Must be used to prevent objects from falling off elevated walkways. Minimum vertical height of 3.5 inches and withstand a force of at least 50 pounds.
Opening requirements: All openings must be protected by fall protection systems if they pose a risk of falls.
Trust Northern Platforms for Catwalk Systems, Modular Work Platforms, and More
Based in Leduc, Alberta, Northern Platforms has provided safe access solutions to Canadians since 2002. We have catwalk systems for sale and ready to ship, as well as other safe access solutions from reputable manufacturers like RollaStep, SafeRack, and YellowGate. Not sure what type of system will work for you? Call us, and one of our experts can visit your site and provide recommendations to make your workplace safer and more efficient. Get started today!
