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!
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!
