Falls from height remain one of the most serious hazards in truck and railcar loading operations, especially when fall protection equipment is not used properly.  At Northern Platforms, we specialize in designing and installing systems that go above and beyond to protect workers and eliminate this risk. Keep reading to learn more about the SavkoLock Mechanica Gangway Lockdown system and how it can improve your site’s safety today.  

The Problem: Unsafe Gangway Movement

Fall protection, like gangways and safety cages, is essential for all industrial sites. But here’s the truth: despite proper design and specifications, these systems can still create worker safety risks.

For example, consider this situation: In dry bulk and other multi-hatch truck operations, gangway systems often have to be moved or repositioned during loading, unloading, or inspection. In the proper procedure, the operator completes their task on top of the vehicle, walks back to the loading platform, tracks the gangway to the next hatch, lowers it to the new position, and climbs back on top of the vehicle. 

Unfortunately, many operators skip these steps. Instead of returning to the platform, they attempt to lift and reposition the gangway while still standing on top of the vehicle. This unauthorized maneuver is a leading cause of accidental falls in loading bays.

The Solution: SavkoLock Mechanical Gangway Lockdown

As we’ve outlined, the above situation poses a significant falling hazard for workers. That’s why Northern Platforms and SafeRack created the SavkoLock Mechanical Gangway Lockdown system. 

The function of this system is simple: When the gangway is lowered onto the vehicle, it automatically engages and locks the gangway in the deployed position. While locked, the gangway cannot be lifted, shifted, or adjusted from on top of the vehicle. Once the operator completes their task, they must return to the loading platform and use a foot pedal to release the lock. Since the pedal is located on the platform rather than the truck, the SavkoLock effectively discourages unsafe gangway procedures and ensures proper, comprehensive fall protection. 

The SavkoLock was developed through close collaboration between SafeRack and the General Manager of Northern Platforms, Rob Sawchuk. This product demonstrates our unwavering commitment to worker safety in all situations, even the coldest Canadian temperatures. 

SavkoLock Product Details 

• Included T-Frame support structure and mounting brackets, cabling and connections, and protective covers.  
• Suitable for use in ambient temperatures up to -40°C.
• Assemblies available for 24”, 36”, and 48” G4 gangways.
• Can be purchased with new gangway systems or retrofitted onto existing G4 gangways from SafeRack.
• Easily interchangeable with the previous SafeRack SafeLok solution.

Do you have additional questions about this gangway lockdown system? Contact Northern Platforms through our website or at (780) 986-8825 for more information!

Additional Fall Protection Upgrades Available from Northern Platforms

As Western Canada’s leading experts in truck and railcar fall protection and SafeRack’s Platinum Partner of the Year for 2025, Northern Platforms helps improve the safety of industrial sites every single day. In addition to the SavkoLock, we also stock and supply a variety of other SafeRack products, including: 

• Safety cages: These systems attach to the front of the gangway and enclose the working area around the hatch when it is lowered. Importantly, safety cages create a guardrail barrier between the operator and the edge of the car. They come in 2-rail, 4-rail, or custom designs. 
• Safety swing gates: Every unsecured elevated opening on a truck or railcar loading platform poses a risk to workers. Safety swing gates are an easy-to-install solution that mounts to existing guardrail systems. Crucially, they are self-closing, which means that no opening is ever left unguarded. 

We also offer preventative maintenance programs for gangways and loading arms that are conducted in strict alignment with OEM manufacturer specifications. Post-inspection, every customer receives a colour-coded report (green, yellow, red) that clearly identifies the condition of each component and prioritizes any required action. 

Contact Us Today for Truck and Railcar Fall Protection

Whether you are interested in a brand-new railcar fall protection or simply retrofitting existing systems for better worker safety, Northern Platforms can help. Explore our products, request a quote, or call our office to get started!