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!
With job site safety becoming an ever-increasing and necessary priority, those in the trucking and hauling industry know just how vital reliable loading solutions are. Loading arms are becoming the go-to standard for safety where loading and unloading are concerned. While both hoses and loading arms have plenty of benefits when it comes to the safe transfer of product into tankers, loading arms are particularly adept where durability and performance are concerned. Below, we’ll explore some of the factors to consider when deciding between hoses and tubes for loading trucks and tankers. Read on to learn more!
Weight and Balances
One of the most important elements to consider when selecting your loading and unloading medium is the weight and necessary counterbalance of your freight. Hoses can become extremely heavy depending on your load, which poses a risk for crew members in terms of strain and injury, as well as damage to the unit itself. Contrastingly, loading arms are designed to balance weight in an ergonomic fashion, greatly increasing your capacity and reducing risk to boost overall efficiency.
Nature of Application
While hoses are fantastic for operations that require more flexibility with content delivery, a loading arm is best suited to worksites and applications that involve repetitive motion. The unique construction allows them to be able to handle repeating the same motion over and over with minimal wear and tear. In addition, loading arms can be rebuilt so they can last decades by adding replacement parts and removing the old parts while hoses need to be tested and likely replaced yearly.
Environment
Finally, you need to consider the job site itself, as well as any challenges or unique needs that might be present. If your crew is constantly tripping over hoses or struggling with reduced floor space, loading arms are a fantastic option as they are mounted off the ground and can be folded when not in use. While hoses are a good option for spaces that require considerable maneuvering for loading, loading arms are much more versatile and easier to adapt in general.
By keeping the above in mind, you should be able to narrow down which kind of loading solutions work best for your specific application and decide whether hoses or loading arms are the right match.
Loading arms and more at Northern Platforms
As Western Canada’s leading source for loading solutions, Northern Platforms offers our clients to a wide selection of loading arms, platforms, gangways and more. Representing top brands like OPW, Emco Wheaton and more, we guarantee we’ll have the right solution for you!
For those in the hauling and trucking industry, access platforms are a vital resource that allows for the safe access, loading/unloading, inspection and maintenance of trucks, tankers, trailers and more. Designed to uphold all OH&S/OSHA standards and provide protection for work taking place more than 4 feet from ground level, truck loading racks help keep your crew efficient and minimize on the job risks with fall protection and more. Northern Platforms is proud to stock leading solutions from the top manufacturers in the industry in our inventory, and to serve as Western Canada’s exclusive source for SafeRack products. Learn more about the benefits of truck loading safety platforms, including SafeRack’s self-adjusting stair gangway.
Made With Your Safety in Mind
Safety platforms not only ensure that your workplace is in compliance with the latest set of government mandates and guidelines but serve to create a site that is optimized to run as smoothly as possible with minimal risk involved to everyone. From enhanced fall protection to heavy-duty solutions that handle the toughest tasks, truck loading safety platforms have you covered.
SafeRack’s Self-Adjusting / Self-Leveling Gangway
Known for their exceptional quality and performance, SafeRack products are relied upon by trucking companies across North America. Built from high-quality aluminum, SafeRack’s self-adjusting gangway system is designed to hit all of the sizes and ranges of trucks that might come into your facility. Built to articulate and self-level, SafeRack’s self-adjusting stair gangways are designed to accommodate varying heights of vehicles. And they’re designed to last, too. With a one-piece stair design, welds are reduced and failures are virtually eliminated. Still, despite being extremely rugged, our SAS gangways are easy to use, as the spring counterbalance requires minimal effort. On top of that, the self-adjusting stair gangways can easily be retrofitted to replace your old, unsafe gangways. The self-adjusting stair gangway is often supplied with a safety cage to provide your personnel fall protection while on top of the truck. The gangways can also be supplied with a gangway track system to allow for miss-spotting of the trucks.
SafeRack Equipment, Only at Northern Platforms
Northern Platforms is the exclusive distributor of SafeRack products throughout Western Canada and is proud to partner with an industry leader dedicated to unbeatable quality and performance. Our inventory features several SafeRack products, including the SafeRack self-adjusting stair gangway and much more. Contact our team today to learn more about SafeRack’s gangway, as well as Northern Platforms’ extensive range of safe access and loading solutions!
Depended on by multiple industries across the globe, rail transport is a highly efficient and cost-effective method of shipping that affords an increased load capacity compared to other vehicles, as well as a reliable turnaround time. From hopper cars transporting grains, to gondola cars carrying steel, coal & ore and to tankcars moving gasoline, diesel & propane all across the nation, railcars play an essential role in the shipping and hauling industry, making the safe loading and unloading of all rail units vital. With the average freight car weighing approximately 250,000 pounds, safe loading and unloading is integral. Northern Platforms is proud to be one of Canada’s top distributors of leading safe access equipment including platforms, gangways, loading arms, spill containment and more. Our team is committed to giving our customers access to unbeatable products, service and experience you can count on, and support when it matters the most!
With safety and efficiency at the heart of everything we do, Northern Platforms is here to make railcar loading simple. Below, we’ll explore how to safely load railcars, including how the products we carry help to offset the risks present when dealing with railcars, Read on to learn more!
Safety First
As we mentioned above, the sheer size & weight of a railcar alone makes having a safe loading solution necessary for everyone’s wellbeing, as well as for the sake of protecting your freight itself. Whether you are loading/unloading a single railcar at a time or loading/unloading multiple railcars, the loading and unloading system used should be optimized to work with your specific needs and applications.
Creating a safe area for railcar loading means having a wide variety of options in place, including safe access equipment / fall protection for operators ensuring that all equipment is up to date and in prime working order. Loading racks & loading platforms include many features that can increase the safety in your railcar operations, including:
Tracking gangway system to allow for railcar mis-spotting
Loading arms & dry disconnect fittings
Railcar track pans & spill containment
Operator buildings to provide your personnel protection from the elements
Railcar safety items like wheel chocks and blue flags
Canopies to protector your employees, equipment and product from the weather
Ensuring that such safety options are readily available will help to reduce the risk of falls and other dangerous accidents that can occur on industrial loading sites.
Railcar Solutions and More At Northern Platforms
Since 2002, Northern Platforms has offered our customers across Canada access to the top safe access equipment, loading racks, loading arms & spill containment solutions available on the market. Providing exceptional service alongside unbeatable products has always been our top priority, and has led to a reputation built on trust and reliability. Among our inventory, you’ll find products from industry leaders like SafeRack LLC (Northern Platforms is proud to be the exclusive dealer for SafeRack in both Alberta and BC), OPW Engineered Systems, Ultratech, Emco Wheaton, Scully and more. With a dedication to customer support and a team that’s always here to help you find the products you need when it matters most, you can count on Northern Platforms for all your safe access needs.
Is your facility set up for safety and success? With safe access resources becoming more and more of a necessity for today’s job sites, walkways and access platforms have become a crucial addition to industrial environments. ErectaStep access platforms and stairs make it easy to reach elevated areas and helps to mitigate the risk associated with doing so, allowing your crew to go about daily operations with minimal difficulty. Below, we’ll explore the many functions and benefits of ErectaStep access platforms and stairs, as well as the products offered by Northern Platforms. Read on to learn more!
Applications
Access platforms and stairs (commonly referred to as catwalks) are multifaceted in the purpose they serve, but are primarily designed to facilitate the safe movement of workers and equipment from point A to point B. Once put in place, access platforms and stairs can help workers safely access valves, switches, equipment, and other elements that would otherwise be inconvenient to reach. For manufacturing purposes, they also serve as a reliable way to safely cross over pipes, conveyors, HVAC systems and packaging lines. Using a combination of 5 components: Prefabricated Metal Stairs, Metal work Platforms, Industrial Handrails, Aluminum Stairs/Ladders and a Tower Support, ErectaStep’s modular design is sturdy, requires no fabrication and quickly bolts together to provide metal stairs,
Benefits
Ready to Assemble. Using just five components, the modular design can be quickly assembled and requires no fabrication. You’ll receive the simple instructions and even the wrench for bolting.
Reusable. ErectaStep industrial platform and stair systems are easily moved and reconfigured into unlimited, expandable safety solutions.
Shorter Lead Times. Because of the five standardized components and high-tech manufacturing process, ErectaStep can deliver safety systems to you quicker than ever before — so you can get it up and running faster than ever before.
Always Safe. OHSA/OH&S compliance is built into every one of ErectaStep’s products, lowering your risk of ownership, increasing your productivity and helping you make safety a priority.
Long Life of Service. Precision manufactured out of powder-coated aluminum, ErectaStep stairs, and platform systems are durable and long-lasting, which means fewer maintenance costs over time.
In Stock and Ready to Ship. Northern Platforms has ErectaStep in stock and we can ship out your system as soon as tomorrow!
Modular Access Platforms & Crossovers at Northern Platforms
Since 2002 Northern Platforms has been Western Canada’s leading source for safe access solutions including gangways, platform systems, crossovers and work platforms. Based in Leduc, Alberta, the Northern Platforms team is proud to provide exceptional customer service as wells as unbeatable products for all your operational needs. Alongside our inventory which features top brands like ErectaStep, SafeRack and more, you’ll also find extensive services dedicated to assisting with turnkey installation services and preventive maintenance, meaning you can trust us to help your crew reach where they need to go, every step of the way. Learn more about our portable access platform solutions as well as our extensive range of other items by contacting our team today!
If you’re on the lookout for a way to safely transport gases and liquids from tank to tank, you may be wondering how to choose between using a hose or a loading arm to outfit your operation. While hoses are undeniably helpful when it comes to transferring less viscous substances, loading arms stand to significantly increase efficiency and safety as a whole. Below, we’ll take a close look as to why you should consider top and bottom loading arms for your worksite, including the many benefits they offer in comparison to hoses. Read on to learn more!
Fall Prevention
While hoses can often end up getting left strewn around and presenting a huge falling hazard to your crew, loading arms are much more conveniently stored out of the way and can typically be integrated with existing fall protection equipment for added safety. Loading arms are less likely to leak and created an unwanted spill which further reduces of the risk of slips, trips or dangerous falls.
Less Risk of Sudden Failures
Over time, hoses begin to erode and wear away, particularly when being regularly used for the transport of corrosive materials. If not carefully monitored, hoses pose a risk for suddenly exploding, which presents several layers of danger to everyone on the site. Loading arms, on the other hand, are relatively low maintenance and have a much longer lifespan without ever having to worry about such a volatile reaction down the line.
Easy to Use
Hoses are not always easy to operate, and due to their size and weight, can often be difficult to move around as needed and can sometimes require more than one worker to move them as well as less ergonomic. Top and bottom loading arms are designed to work with you, which reduces strain and lowers the risk of on-site injuries. The spring counterbalance systems on loading arms require very little force to use. With a much longer lifespan favouring loading arms as well it is a wise choice for your bottom line both upfront and in the future.
Efficient
In addition to enhancing on the job safety, loading arms connect to trucks and railcars quickly, meaning you can transfer your material fast and keep operations moving steadily.
Safety
Loading arms are often designed to incorporate different types of safety devices such as:
Safety Breakaway Couplings – In the event of unintended vehicle movement or pull-away, a breakaway coupling separates and has non-return valves that shut both ends of the breakaway protection personnel at the loading/unloading station and prevents spills.
Dry Disconnect Fittings – If you are looking to reduce spillage in your loading/unloading operation, dry disconnect fittings can help you accomplish this. There are a variety of quick and dry disconnect fittings available that are easy to handle, save time, improve safety and protect your personnel and the environment.
Overfill Protection – Loading arms can be supplied with level detection and overfill probes to help prevent unintentionally overfilling a railcar or truck.
Boost Your Safety and Productivity with Northern Platforms Today
Ready to supercharge your loading and unloading? 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.
