Access platforms are essential pieces of equipment that can significantly impact production and safety. The goal is to make durable, versatile platforms and ErectaStep platforms stand out among the rest. With features like corrosion resistance, compliance with regulatory bodies like OSHA, and reconfigurable elements, this platform is perfect for all industries and facilities.
If you’re considering investing in a modular work platform, learn about the benefits of the inventory we have at Northern Platforms by reading below.
Easy Installation
When it comes to safety, time is of the essence. Whatever modular work platform equipment a company has should be easy to set up and use. While some access platforms can be time-consuming and difficult to install, opting for an easy-install access solution will negate unnecessary delays and additional costs. ErectaStep modular access platforms offer easy installation and configuration, saving valuable time. Northern Platforms’ line of modular work platforms is quality equipment that businesses across many industries trust for safe access.
Reusability and Mobility
Often, organizations are looking for repurposable mobility. A modular work platform should not only serve its current purpose but be flexible enough to be reconfigured to serve future projects as well. For industries where there are multiple projects in need attention and safety features, Northern Platforms has a comprehensive inventory of modular work platforms to tackle all configurations from simple to complex. Whether you need repositioning or complete repurposing, having a reusable access platform ensures efficiency and safety.
Corrosion Resistance
When a facility’s outdoor areas need modular work platforms, it’s important to obtain work platforms that are resistant to weather challenges. Modular platforms with corrosion resistant materials remain intact over time, free from rust and corrosion that can become a hazard. Investing in a modular work platform that will last for the long term will ensure worker safety and enhance productivity.
Slip Resistance
High-traffic areas, especially ones where workers may be transporting goods or materials or be otherwise distracted, require access solutions with proper precautions. Reduce the risk of slips and falls by opting for slip-resistant access platforms. Slip resistant coatings are critical for preventing accidents and in maintaining a safe workplace. ErectaStep modular work platforms provides sure footing even in uncertain conditions.
Safety Compliance
Required certifications and compliances act as a barrier for mitigating potential hazards. Find an OSHA and IBC compliant platform to ensure cooperation with industry standards. At Northern Platforms, we carry compliant stairs and platforms that petrochemical and oil and gas industries all over Canada use for smooth operations.
Northern Platforms Goes the Extra Mile
For over 20 years, Northern Platforms has been a trusted provider of loading operation equipment, access platforms, gangways, and more to organizations all over Canada. Our modular work platforms offer a range of configurations to address multiple problems for any project. Let our team consult with you to determine the best safe access solution.
Contact Northern Platforms to learn more about our inventory of ErectaStep modular work platforms, or call us at 1-844-426-4929.
Investing in safety does more than simply mitigate the risk of employee injury while on the job site; the right system can prevent spillage, damage to machines and trucks, and increase company assets. A skilled company that brings years of experience to the table can help you invest in the fall protection system specific to your worksite.
Not all fall protection systems are made equal. At Northern Platforms, we help you to find the solution you need to ensure a safe working environment. Turnkey loading solutions are how you can optimize your loading and unloading process, and we are proud to be distributors of top brands like OPW Engineered Systems and Saferack. If you’re looking for railcar fall protection systems, find out more about what Northern Platforms supplies below.
Understanding Fall Protection Systems
Railyards often need specialized fall protection gear to safeguard the safety and efficiency of workers, equipment and materials. Fall protection systems are comprised of multiple parts that work in tandem to ensure your operations are safe and efficient. Northern Platform’s extensive knowledge and decades of experience help us to find custom solutions for your worksite. Let us design and install the proper safe access solutions onsite for you.
Whether you are looking to upgrade old systems or to install new ones, anticipate your worksite’s needs by implementing safety cages, operator gangways, spill protection, and more with Northern Platforms.
When Are You in Need of Railcar Fall Protection?
Railcar fall protection systems are meant for railyards that work with a variety of materials:
Hydrocarbon and refined fuels (like jet fuel, diesel, and gasoline)
Liquid natural gas (propane, ethane, butane)
Liquid asphalt from refineries
Ammonia
We stock quality, durable systems such as SafeRack, Emco Wheaton, OPW, and Ultratech. Our team understands that there is never a one-and-done solution for such complex and different materials. When you talk to our team, we will help you find the prevention equipment you need to ensure a good working environment for all.
Partner With Northern Platforms!
Based in Leduc, Alberta, Northern Platforms is a family-owned business whose goal is to assist businesses in agriculture, pulp and paper, oil and gas, rail, marine, and more to meet safety standards. Our professionals are ready and willing to design, install, and maintain your railcar fall protection systems for a better day’s work. Your expert in gangways, safety cages, spill containment and more, Northern Platforms operates with the sole purpose of helping businesses like yours to ensure their worksites are as safe and effective as possible.
Since 2002, businesses all over Canada have trusted us to provide them with the safe access solutions they require. We take pride in making business relationships that will last a long time so that you know that you can always come to us for your safety access equipment, loading racks, and loading arms. Contact Northern Platforms to get started on design a railcar fall protection system that suits your operation’s needs. Or, call 1-844-426-4929 to speak to a representative today.
Operators and the area around the fuel tanker are at risk during loading and unloading. Your highest priorities are keeping employees safe and the land free from contamination. The scale of your loading operations will impact the necessary fuel tanker loading equipment and what is necessary for a safe operation. Whether you are transporting water, ammonia, biodiesel, or something else, it’s your duty to create reliable loading operations that you and your team can count on.
Northern Platforms has the equipment you need to maximize your working systems’ potential. Keep reading to learn how we can help you obtain the most reliable, safe equipment tailored to your needs.
Bottom Loading Arms
Northern Platform’s bottom loading arms are an industry standard in oil and gas for a reason. The fuel tanker loading equipment you use will affect the loading time, as bottom loading arms reduce vapour pressure and, therefore, the length of loading. As we move into fall, the cooler temperatures can affect your loading operations. Our OPW Bottom Loading Arm Systems are ideal for quicker connections, reducing static electricity, and reducing expenses. With trustworthy brands like OPW and Emco Wheaton at your disposal, you can streamline production for your fuel tanker loading operations through quality products at Northern Platforms.
Ensure Safe Loading
With the right bottom loading arms, you are minimizing the time required per load. But much like we do not ask for a car without airbags, having the loading arms without proper safety equipment puts you at high risk of something going wrong. The following are some of the safety measures we offer:
Bottom-Loading Couplers: Ready for same-day shipment only at Northern Platforms. A five-year warranty and automatic latching are just two reasons this coupler is the best in the business.
Breakaway Couplings:Designed for easy release in the event of an accidental pull-away.
Grounding & Overfill Systems:For grounding and overfill systems, Northern Platforms supplies Civacon and Scully overfill monitors with extensive interface compatibility, signals for automatic shutoff, and more.
& More: Take a look through our complete catalogue of loading system accessories.
If you are in the oil and gas industry, bottom loading arms are the perfect fuel tanker loading equipment. Combined with the above safety features, you’ll ensure proper attention is given to people and processes.
Your Trusted Source for Fuel Tanker Loading Equipment
Northern Platforms is a family owned business local to Alberta, Canada, looking to help you meet strict regulatory requirements and make your worksite safer. As a platinum distributor for OPW Engineered Systems, we help you get your hands on cost-effective solutions. Our expert team is committed to creating long-term partnerships with our clients to ensure their satisfaction. Take advantage of our turnkey services and informed staff, and find a solution that is custom to you.
Get in touch with us today to talk about how we can provide quick delivery for the parts and equipment you need on-site. A member of Northern Platforms will reach out as soon as possible to help.
The oil and gas industry encounters many challenges during loading and unloading operations as it must adhere to several safety, industry, and environmental regulations. This can make determining the best possible loading system for your operations challenging. Fortunately, with over twenty years of experience providing Canadian companies with top-quality access and loading solutions, Northern Platforms is here to help.
Below, we will compare hoses and loading arms and then walk you through the three main styles of loading arms, helping you determine which would be best for your oil and gas operations. Continue reading to learn more.
Hoses vs. Loading Arms: Some Considerations
You have several options when searching for the correct loading solution for your operations. However, you must first decide whether you will utilize hoses or loading arms. While loading arms tends to be the industry standard for oil and gas operations, many companies do opt to use hoses for a number of reasons.
Before looking further into one or the other, let’s look at a few things you should consider before deciding that hoses or loading arms are your best choice.
Hoses:
Requires regular annual pressure tests
Can be difficult to stow when not in use
Can be driven over or dropped
May be very heavy to use if fitted with a valve at the tanker connection point
Faces challenges when heated or features a vent/purge valve
May be prone to catastrophic failure
Loading Arms:
Provides balanced and easy movement for various loading applications
Designed not to hit the ground, protecting the valves and couplers
Can be operated by one person
May be fitted with manual or actuated liquid valves and optional purge/vent components
May be moved into position with ease and left hanging in the air while the operator prepares the tanker connection
Can easily be stowed away when not in use
At Northern Platforms, we strongly recommend that oil and gas operations stick with the obvious and safer choice–loading arms. As a trusted distributor of OPW Engineered Systems products, we carry a wide range of loading arms that are perfect for oil and gas loading/unloading applications.
Next, we will provide a short overview of the three main styles of oil and gas loading arms Northern Platforms carries. That way, you can determine which would be best for your operations.
Top Loading Arms
Top loading arms provide tanker truck and railcar loading operations with an efficient and cost-effective means of handling oil and gas liquid products. A top loading arm system from Northern Platforms can provide your operations the protection your workers need to complete their duties efficiently without worrying about potential hazards like spills.
When selecting the right top loading arm for your oil and gas operations, our team will consider vehicle heights, required reach, vehicle spotting, material compatibility and more. At Northern Platforms, we can outfit your top loading arms for tight-fill, vapour recovery, marine, oil and gas, and other applications, ensuring your loading/unloading operations are safe and efficient.
Bottom Loading Arms
Bottom loading arms are the industry’s top choice when explicitly searching for loading arms for oil and gas applications. This is because bottom loading arms from Northern Platforms aid in reducing vapours and the risk of static electricity as they produce less turbulence in the tanker during loading.
Additionally, our bottom loading arms can be outfitted with vapour recovery components and quick-connect fittings to help speed up your loading/unloading times. With their improved ergonomics and enhanced safety, it’s no wonder Northern Platforms’ bottom loading arms are the industry standard for oil and gas operations.
Specialty/Custom Loading Arms
As the oil and gas industry has evolved to include biofuels and great environmental awareness, your loading system may require stringent features to ensure enhanced safety and eco-friendly fluid transfer practices.
At Northern Platforms, we can create specialty/custom loading arms for your oil and gas operations. From hatch plates and plugs to electric heat trace with insulation blankets, steam jacketing, or ContoTrace, we can ensure your loading system meets strict health/safety and environmental regulations.
Your Canadian Source for Safe Loading Solutions
While bottom-loading arms are often the best option for the oil and gas industry, other options may be better suited depending on your unique applications and facility requirements. Northern Platforms’ team is here to help you determine the best loading system solutions for your oil and gas operations. So, don’t hesitate to contact us, and let our team walk you through your options.
Together, we can ensure your loading/unloading operations are safe, efficient, and meet strict regulations.
Throughout various industries such as oil and gas, manufacturing, pulp and paper, and beyond, having access to shutoff valves, navigating over conveyors, and moving throughout warehousing spaces requires specialized access solutions. Since 2002, Northern Platforms has provided companies of all sizes with the safe access solutions they need to maintain productivity, efficiency, and safety.
Below, we will tell you more about our offering of ErectaStep prefabricated platforms and how they can benefit valve access applications. Keep reading to find out more.
Critical Factors in Valve Access
Whether you’re working in manufacturing, oil and gas, or the pulp and paper industry, you need access solutions that enable your employees to safely reach your facility’s tools, equipment, valves, and other key areas. The oil and gas industry often faces challenges in valve access fall protection as many temporary solutions, such as scaffolding, can be costly in the long run, easily break down, offer limited working space, and cannot be reused in other applications.
Additionally, regardless of your industry, your maintenance personnel must have safe access to critical shutoffs and valves to provide adequate service and ensure your facility continues to operate at a high standard.
If your facility is considering updating your valve access platforms or installing a new system, consider the following:
Can a worker access the shutoff valve safely and rapidly?
If there are access platforms on the valve, are they rigid and safe?
Are there safety gates and industrial-strength handrails on the access platform?
Does your current access system provide adequate fall protection and instant OSHA/OH&S compliance?
Are the current crossovers/access platforms older or in need of repair or replacement?
Depending on your answers, it may be time to replace or update your current valve access solutions. Fortunately, Northern Platforms has a cost-effective, ready-to-ship option that not only outperforms temporary access solutions but is also built to last–ErectaStep prefabricated platforms.
Benefits of ErectaStep Prefabricated Platforms
Northern Platforms’ offering of ErectaStep prefabricated platforms are OHSA/OH&S compliant, precision manufactured and ready to be shipped to your facility in an instant. Designed to bolt together without any specialty tools or welding, our prefabricated platforms are the perfect versatile access solution.
Critical shutoffs and valves are often used infrequently and tend to be located in hard-to-reach areas to maintain clear facility space for other operational demands. Accessing them poses potential fall and accident risks. However, ErectaStep prefabricated platforms offer a solution to mitigate this risk.
ErectaStep prefabricated platforms provide a simple way of reaching necessary valves, controls and equipment without interfering with other operations. That means, with the help of Northern Platforms and ErectaStep, your maintenance personnel can easily traverse your facility, perform repairs, and avoid obstacles without worrying about slips, trips, falls, or disruptions in production.
Custom Access Problems Require Custom Solutions
At Northern Platforms, our highly experienced team can assist you with your prefabricated platform needs. Whether you require a straightforward access platform or a custom solution, we have the tools, stock, and expertise to help you.
When it comes to outfitting your facility with a custom valve access solution, our team will visit your worksite, identify potential issues, and design a custom prefabricated platform solution to suit your facility and needs. We can even ensure the installation process is completely safe and efficient. With our innovative custom configuration tool, our team can even show you detailed schematics and an accurate quote so you can see your new valve access solution in a matter of minutes.
So, whether your facility needs a new prefabricated platform valve access solution, a modular catwalk, or a set of crossover stairs for crossing a containment berm, Northern Platforms has the custom access solutions you need!
Make Valve Access a Breeze Today!
Northern Platforms’ ErectaStep prefabricated platforms are in stock and ready to ship. So, if you’ve been looking for a rugged, modular, and easy-to-install valve access solution, contact us today and let our team help make your facility safer.
Whether you have a manufacturing facility, oil and gas loading operation, or an e-commerce warehouse, your facility needs a secure rooftop access system. At Northern Platforms, we understand the importance of access and fall protection; that’s why we carry industry-leading safe access, loading, and fall protection systems from manufacturers like SafeRack and ErectaStep.
Below, we will explain why your facility needs a rooftop crossover stair system and how our ErectaStep products can help. Continue reading to find out more!
Why Rooftop Crossover Systems are Necessary
Your maintenance personnel need safe access to your facility’s rooftop to service HVAC, ducting, piping, and AC unit systems. However, every rooftop is different, presenting unique challenges for your workers. Pipes, cables, changes in elevation, and parapets can be challenging to navigate around while at a height and even more complicated when carrying tools and equipment.
Additionally, adverse weather conditions such as rain, snow, or strong winds can increase fall risks, creating slippery or obstructed surfaces and dangerous working conditions. Without the proper safe access solutions in place, you’re putting your employees at risk and not complying with strict OH&S/OSHA standards. While simple measures such as rooftop guardrails and swing gates can provide some fall protection, these measures aren’t enough on their own for many facilities. Fortunately, Northern Platforms has a better safe access solution–ErectaStep rooftop crossover stairs.
Meet ErectaStep Crossover Stairs
When you need a safe access solution for your facility’s rooftop, trust Northern Platforms’ offering of ErectaStep crossover stairs. These incredibly versatile and customizable safe access solutions enable you to quickly clear obstacles without compromising safety. With numerous configurations available and ErectaStep’s ease of installation (no welding or specialty tools required), ensuring the safety of your maintenance personnel is a breeze. Here are a few other benefits of ErectaStep rooftop crossover stairs from Northern Platforms:
OSHA and OH&S Compliant: No matter the configuration, ErectaStep crossover stairs are built to comply with both OHSA and OH&S safety standards.
Durable: Manufactured with heavy-duty aluminum (also available in galvanized, 304 stainless, or steel), these crossover stairs are built to last even the most challenging Canadian winters. At the same time, the reduced number of weld points adds additional strength to the entire unit.
Modular Design: Each modular component can easily be reconfigured, enabling you to reuse these crossover stairs throughout your facility. This modular design also eliminates the need for custom fabrication, reducing overall costs.
Slip Resistant: The walking surface of these modular crossover stairs is stamped and features an aggressive serrated edge for better grip. Your staff can feel sure-footed even when working at a height.
At Northern Platforms, our expert team can even help you design your custom rooftop crossover stairs. Using our digital real-time configuration tool, we can map out your crossover stairs, provide you with an accurate shop drawing and pad layout, and quote all within minutes. That way, we can be sure your rooftop crossover stairs will provide your personnel with the safe access they need to service your HVAC units, piping, and more!
Your Experts in Safe Access Equipment
Since 2002, Northern Platforms has been helping companies, both big and small, ensure their facilities and loading operations are as safe and efficient as possible. With our ErectaStep rooftop crossover stairs, we can ensure the safety of your workers even during routine maintenance services in the dead of winter.
For our team to start designing a rooftop crossover stair that perfectly fits your facility, we need to visit your site. Contact us today to schedule your site assessment with one of Northern Platforms’ highly experienced team members or to learn more about our ErectaStep offering!
