On an industrial work site, employees must regularly face plenty of safety risks. Taking shortcuts over or under a pipe or production line is a common occurrence in the industrial field and an issue safety managers ought to resolve as soon as possible. Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) keeps a watchful eye out for these safety issues. Slips, accidental falls, and injuries can easily occur around obstacles that should have a designated crossover point. Crossover stairs are the perfect solution for this safe access issue, and luckily, Northern Platforms is here to help you get a custom fit for your facility. As one of Western Canada’s largest distributors of loading platforms, crossover stairs, safety gates and more, our team is proud to work with businesses in various industries to provide them with the safe access solutions they need. Below, we’ll discuss crossover stairs and some of their common uses. Keep reading to learn more.
What are Crossover Stairs?
Crossover stairs, also known as crossover ladders, bridges, and platforms, are a safe route over obstacles or hazards. They’re designed to provide workers with a direct path across a particular area that otherwise could be dangerous or disruptive of workflow. It’s human nature to take the shortest, more convenient course available, even if it isn’t the safest option.
At Northern Platforms, we provide businesses like yours with the safe access solutions they need to keep their employees safe. Our line of ErectaStep and SafeRack stairs and industrial maintenance work platforms feature an innovative, lightweight design that you can customize to your specific needs. Installation is easy as it only requires a few hours and a wrench. Northern Platform’s team of experienced professionals can assist you in determining the best safe access solution for your facility.
Get From Point A to Point B
Moving from one area to another is one of the primary uses for crossover stairs. They’re beneficial for transporting items and workers over tricky areas of your facility. Crossovers of all types can be positioned over workstations, machinery, ducting, or other problem zones that you need access around. They’re also handy for on-the-ground conveyance equipment, like forklifts and pallet trucks, as they give workers a safer and more straightforward option for navigating the workplace while clearing up floor space for your equipment.
Stay Safe
Crossover ladders and stairs are also commonly used for isolation purposes around hazardous areas that still need to be accessible but in a highly secure manner. For example, suppose your facility deals with dangerous chemicals that need to be stored in a particular way, say inside of a protective berm or containment dike. In that case, crossover stairs can provide access to the storage area without having your workers come into direct contact with the chemical. In addition to hazard zones, businesses can utilize a crossover ladder in regions that must be isolated from workers. They provide your staff safe access across your facility without jeopardizing a seclusion zone.
Partner with Northern Platforms for Safe Access Solutions
Workplaces like your own can experience exponential benefits using access equipment like crossover ladders and stairs. At Northern Platforms, our highest priority is the safety of your team. We are sure our wide range of safe access solutions will provide you with versatile, high-quality options to keep your site secure, from safety swing gates and rolling steps to crossover ladders and more. Contact us today to learn more about how crossover stairs can improve your workplace!
Are you looking for a safe access solution that doesn’t compromise mobility? At Northern Platforms, our team is here to help! As Western Canada’s most diverse distributor of loading and access products, we have the products and inventory you need to keep your operation moving along steadily. With brands like ErectaStep, SafeRack, RollaStep and more available at Northern Platforms, we will be your dependable choice for safe access solutions. Learn more about our mobile access stairs below!
What are Portable Access Stairs
Portable access stairs or mobile access platforms can be pretty simple in design. Depending on the application, most portable access stair systems are essentially a ladder or staircase that has been outfitted with casters and handrails. These rolling steps can easily be moved from point A to point B to ensure efficiency and versatility. Typical applications for portable access stairs include but are not limited to stock rooms, maintenance areas, equipment access, railcar loading, and even onboarding aviation! Anywhere a ladder or staircase is necessary rolling steps can provide a mobile option instead.
At Northern Platforms, we offer a range of mobile access platforms for any application. Whether you’re looking for platforms like RollaStep’s MP series stairs with removable handrails or something self-levelling like RollaStep’s G series, Northern Platforms will have the safe access solutions you need to keep your workplace safe.
Safety and Mobility in One Package
The main advantage of portable access stairs is their mobility. Having access to stairs that can easily roll across your facility increases productivity while maintaining safety. The broad base and extra supports enhance the stairs’ overall stability without compromising the platform’s mobility. The handrails also support your employees by providing them with more stability when climbing up or down the stairs, even when carrying products or tools. This combination of safety, strength and mobility lowers the risk of fall injuries in your facility while increasing efficiency.
Versatile and Simple to Use
Portable access stairs are versatile tools that worksites can utilize for several applications. Mobile stairs can be positioned in various ways across your facility, and in comparison to a permanent structure, they have a significantly reduced footprint. That means less floor space is taken up by the stairs leaving you more significant navigating space. Almost anyone can use mobile access stairs too! Depending on which series from RollaStep or SafeRack you choose, these units are essentially a “grab and go.” This means that as long as your employees are trained on fall protection, they require no additional training to use. Employees essentially only need to push the stairs into position and then climb.
In particular, RollaStep’s offering of mobile access platforms features a broad base and stairs, non-slip and self-draining tread, powder-coated handrails, a six-square-foot work platform, and a complete toe board on the platform to prevent tools from falling. Their line of mobile stairs is lightweight and has four base models to choose from. However, if RollaStep’s base models are missing something special for your application, Northern Platforms can offer you a custom solution!
Ready to Learn More?
For over 20 years, Northern Platforms has been Western Canada’s trusted choice for loading platforms, stairs, swing gates, and more! We are a family-owned and operated company based out of Alberta; our team strives to meet your needs with unbeatable service and support. We treat you like family, from turnkey installation services and maintenance assistance to a personal customer service experience. Aside from RollaStep and SafeRack, we also provide customers with an extensive inventory of products from brands you know like ErectaStep, YellowGate, OPW Engineered Systems, and more! To learn more about our mobile access solutions, contact our team today!
While safe access platforms, walkways, and loading racks are vital for the safety of workers in your facility, swing gates are another piece of the puzzle that needs to be considered in your overall fall protection plan. At Northern Platforms, we’ve been providing clients, like you, with the fall protection solutions they need to maintain a safe and regulation-compliant workplace. We offer a range of safe access solutions such as rolling platforms, gangways, etc. Our offering of YellowGate self-closing swing gates is a critical component of your fall protection plan. Below you’ll learn more about how swing gates keep your site safe and some of the additional benefits YellowGate offers. Continue reading to learn more!
Keep Safety a Priority
The safety of your worksite is paramount to maintaining successful operations and staying compliant with local operational health and safety regulations. Providing adequate fall protection systems is one of the key ways to protect your employees and worksite. On-site safety equipment such as rolling stairs, catwalks, and swing gates serve as a means of fall protection as they keep your employees safe while also allowing them to pass through and perform their duties. Swing gates are a vital component of your fall protection system as they complete any site’s safe access systems. In particular, swing gates are a passive form of fall protection that allows individuals to pass through them while also ensuring the stability and security necessary to complete their tasks.
At Northern Platforms, we carry a range of safe access solutions to ensure that your work facility is secure. YellowGate swing gates are designed to reduce the risk of on-site injuries by limiting operators from accessing hazardous zones. Let’s look at some of the other benefits of YellowGate swing gates.
Strength and Versatility
Safety equipment should be one of the most reliable pieces of equipment in your facility; that’s why YellowGate is built to last. Although, as mentioned previously, swing gates are a more passive form of fall protection, they ought to still survive through the wear and tear of regular use. YellowGate’s aluminum gates are great for indoor or outdoor use and can be used as access gates, facility restrictions, and more. Aside from being durable for any worksite, YellowGate swing gates are also highly versatile. With features such as adjustable length, swing direction, and a universal mounting system, these handy swing gates can protect a range of pathways. The universal gate design, in particular, makes ordering these swing gates from Northern Platforms easy, as all you need to do is order however many your site needs. That’s it! There are no additional pre-installation steps required.
Get a Custom Fit
Ensuring the safety of your employees can require some customization. Fortunately, YellowGate is there to meet your worksite’s needs. Through their universal gate design, these swing gates can be custom fitted to your operations. As previously mentioned, the universal gate design allows these gates to mount to various areas. However, there’s more to it than just mounting. The versatile design also allows you to change the swing directions by adjusting a few bolts. You can easily repurpose these gates to fit your facility as your operations change and grow.
Partner with Northern Platforms Today!
Ready to increase your facility’s safety? Northern Platforms’ team of experts is here to help. We are proud to offer industry-leading products from manufacturers like YellowGate, SafeRack, ErectaStep and more! As Western Canada’s premier safe access distributor, we look forward to partnering with you to make your site secure. Contact us today to learn more about our products and services.
If your current truck loading setup is inefficient and provides inadequate access safely, now is the time to consider a truck access platform from Northern Platforms. You know how vital a secure loading platform is for your operations in managing the loading/unloading of railcars and trucks. With operational health and safety regulations regularly being updated, it’s essential to provide your employees with a work environment that is safe and secure. Truck access platforms from Northern Platforms offer a range of benefits such as increased safety and efficiency. Below you’ll learn how truck access platforms improve your workplaces’ safety and some of the SafeRack truck access products Northern Platforms carries—continue reading to learn more!
What Are Truck Access Platforms?
Truck access platforms or truck loading racks allow your employees to safely access the tops of trucks. Whether your employees are going on top of the truck to load the truck, unload the truck or even take a sample of the product inside the truck, ensuring their safety while on top of the truck is critical. At Northern Platforms, we offer a range of safe access solutions that will fit your application based on your individual needs. Whether you’re working in a manufacturing facility and need a truck loading racks and gangways to safely get on top of trucks to load them, or if you’re looking for a solution that is portable that makes loading and unloading simple, we are excited to find you the access solutions you need to get the job done.
Stay Safe
Canadian safety regulations regarding loading and unloading have become more stringent over time. Businesses nowadays must be aware of how strictly enforced these regulations have become to guarantee everyone’s safety. Truck access platforms or safety platforms support compliance with safety regulations and enhance the efficiency of your operations. Your workplace will be ready to tackle whatever challenges come your way by minimizing risk and maximizing security. From heavy-duty safety cages and platforms to swing gates and more, Northern Platforms is sure to have the access solutions you need to keep your employees safe.
SafeRack Truck Access Platforms
At Northern Platforms, we believe in “safety first,” that’s why we supply our clients with the highest quality safety equipment available. We are proud to be Western Canada’s exclusive distributor for SafeRack products. SafeRacks’s safe access solutions have a reputation for quality and performance; below, we’ll discuss two of their truck access solutions; the Self-Adjusting Stairs (SAS) and the MAUI.
The SAS
SafeRack’s Self-Adjusting Stairs (SAS) are perfect for applications where you’re dealing with a range of truck heights. The SAS articulates and is able to self-level, so getting a custom-fit is no problem. The SAS also has a few notable features that genuinely make it stand out, such as a positive lift and lower system that automatically protects drivers and operators. The SAS is built to last with a one-piece stair design that reduces the number of weld points. In addition to its rugged design, SafeRack’s Self-Adjusting Stairs can easily be retrofitted to replace your old truck access platforms.
The MAUI
SafeRack’s MAUI mobile loading platform is an excellent option if you’re looking for maneuverability and strength. This truck access platform is portable and built with durable materials, so it will be a dependable addition to your safe access equipment for years to come. Since the MAUI is made with such high-quality components, it also requires minimal maintenance, saving you time and money as downtime for repairs is reduced. The MAUI also features a 500-pound load capacity and a telescoping ladder which can extend to fit a range of heights and applications. The versatile nature of the MAUI is handy as you can reconfigure it in the field. So if you’re loading trucks or railcars, this mobile loading platform is an excellent option.
Your Source for Safe Access Solutions
Our team at Northern Platforms is proud to be Western Canada’s premier source for SafeRack products. With a range of SafeRack, ErectaStep, YellowStep products and more, we are positive our extensive inventory will have the safe access solutions you need. Contact us today to learn more about SafeRack’s truck access platforms and how our team can configure a custom truck loading solution for you on-site.
In all industries, especially heavy industrial industries, the safety of the workers and the equipment comes first. It is essential to have a secure worksite in order to avoid any work-related accidents and delays in production. Northern Platforms is one of Western Canada’s leading safe access equipment and platforms sources. Our team proudly offers access solutions and modular platform systems that make handling shipping and accessing equipment and inventory easy.
We are proud to partner with the top manufacturers in the industry to ensure a wide range of products that offer you maximum efficiency. Our extensive inventory, including the ErectaStep, provides our clients with access platforms and stairs that are durable and safe for your team. With Northern Platforms, you will no longer worry about accessing and navigating higher areas with the risk of a fall. With the largest inventory on hand in Canada, read on to learn more about the benefits of ErectaStep below!
Safety is Our Priority
Our ErectaStep is pre-engineered to allow personnel on your site safe access up, over and around any obstructions you may have on site, without the risk of falling or injury. The use of a rolling platform or set of rolling stairs enables safe and easy movement, no matter the height. The ErectaStep can be manufactured with highly customizable options to incorporate the measurements you need while maintaining the necessary safety measures. Depending on your needs, our experienced team can include swing gates, adjustable heights or any extra level of protection where required.
Trusted Quality
Loading solutions are necessary for most heavy industries- they provide safe and secure solutions at the worksite. Our customers trust Northern Platform to vet our manufacturers to ensure trusted quality, no matter the circumstance or the application. ErectaStep has proven exceptional results to their name with over two decades of consistent, high-quality performance and longevity in every situation. Built using advanced laser-cutting technology, ErectaStep offers superior performance and OSHA & OH&S compliance.
Functional Solutions
Crossover platforms and rolling stairs are exceptionally beneficial to certain facilities as they go over the general floor layout for operations, allowing you plenty of space on the ground. ErectaStep can also be used overtop of conveyors, machinery, ducts etc., to avoid hindering any ongoing processes. With more floor space available and safe access over your equipment, ErectaStep ensures a smooth and stress-free workflow.
Partner With The Best
Our team is committed to providing you with the highest quality equipment for safer loading and unloading operations. We are proud to be the exclusive distributor for SafeRack LLC in Western Canada and provide you with an inventory of ErectaStep, RollaStep and YellowGate stock.
Making sure your team has access to the best quality safe access solutions is Northern Platform’s top priority. In fact, ErectaStep is one of the most trusted names in the field, which you can find in our extensive inventory, alongside a wide range of high-quality solutions.
Contact Northern Platforms today for rolling steps and platform options that are safe, easy to use, and built to last. Our solutions are designed to give you the best return on your investment.
Transporting liquids, hydrocarbons and gases can cause several risks on the worksite. There is always the possibility of fluid leakage or dripping during transport, resulting in harmful damage to the equipment, worksite but more importantly to your crew! Critical hazardous chemicals should be handled with care to ensure the safety and efficiency of production.
Northern Platforms is proud to offer OPW Engineered Systems suitable for all heavy industries. As OPW’s largest distributor in Canada with a wide variety of inventory on hand, we are ready to help you take on all of your liquid handling operations. With OPW Engineered Systems, Northern Platforms ensures safe and efficient operation of all fluid-handling operations. Read on to learn how OPW Engineered Systems enhance business performance and offer a safe-site environment.
What is OPW?
OPW has been revolutionizing fluid-handling operations all over the world since 1892. OPW works to help provide the necessary protection needed for people and the environment, including rail and transport tank truck equipment, loading systems, integrated flexible piping and more! By providing a comprehensive inventory of solutions, OPW is able to design and manufacture industry-leading fluid-handling solutions to enhance your workflow. Northern Platforms’ OPW solutions include:
OPW Loading Arm Systems
OPW Swivel Joints
OPW Quick & Dry Disconnects
OPW Process Products
With the ISO-9000 certification, OPW engineered Systems has solutions that ensure the highest level of performance is maintained throughout the production process cycle.
Northern Platforms OPW Engineered Systems
OPW products are suitable for various applications, including top-loading, bottom-loading, and cryogenic. Their systems are designed to meet a wide range of requirements, from the simple demands of drum-filling applications to the more complex, high-volume loading and unloading requirements. If you’re looking for equipment that is manufactured and designed to provide novel solutions to transport hazardous products and bulk waste materials safely, Northern Platforms is the company to call!
Loading Arms
Our custom engineered solutions for loading operations use loading arms with loading platforms to provide a safe, tailored system for your production process. Our team of experienced regional sales managers is able to design OPW Engineered Systems specifically for the application at hand, including rail car loading and tank truck loading applications. With our top-end loading arms from the industry-leader, we ensure your loading arm installation is productive and safe.
Quick & Dry Disconnect Fittings
The transport of hazardous chemicals should be done with care to avoid any work injuries. Designed by OPW Engineered Systems, our quick & dry disconnect fittings are used to help prevent liquid spillage, transfer liquid and safely transport volatile liquids across your entire loading or terminal operation. No matter the fluid application, our quick & dry fittings ensure the safety of your crew and enhance the production process. Whether you’re looking for Kamvalok® or Autolok ® fittings, Northern Platforms’ products avert accidental spills and contamination on your worksite.
Swivel Joints
The Endura ™ Dual Split Flange (8000 series) swivel joint and general-purpose swivel joint (3000 series) represent the best OPW Engineered System manufacture of swivel technology. Available in several sizes, materials and styles, Northern Platforms; swivel joints can virtually meet any application. Safely transfer the hazardous materials, including acids, solvents and petrochemicals, with our 8000 series Endura ™ Dual Split Flange.
Ensure Safe Production with Northern Platforms Today
Since 2002, Northern Platforms have been proud to provide high-quality equipment and services supported by strong and committed customer service. We have partnered with many industry leaders to ensure the smooth production of your systems by eliminating the challenges.
Northern Platforms carries a wide range of OPW Engineered Systems suitable for all applications. Contact us today to learn about our products and services throughout Western Canada.
