For your construction site, facility, or worksite to be OSHA-compliant, you need the right access equipment. Fortunately, this is where Northern Platforms can help! With our years of experience and knowledgeable team, Northern Platforms can help you find the proper safe access solutions for your site. One such piece of equipment often overlooked is portable stairs for temporary job site trailers. Next, we will tell you more about our portable stairs offering. Keep reading to find out more!
Meet the ErectaStep Portable Steel Stairs
Since 2002, Northern Platforms has been your source for access solutions from trusted manufacturers like ErectaStep. Amongst ErectaStep’s product offerings is its line of OSHA- and IBC-compliant portable stairs. These rugged, powder-coated stairs are manufactured from galvanized steel and feature adjustable legs, making them perfect for interior and exterior applications.
For instance, if your job site trailer, temporary waste bin, or office trailer requires sturdy and reliable stairs for easy access, the ErectaStep portable stairs are a great option. With permanent and custom configurations available, these portable stairs are an excellent choice for construction sites, industrial facilities, waste management sites, and more!
Features Worth Investing In
Like all ErectaStep products, their portable stairs come standard with safety-enhancing features such as large, slip-resistant platforms and field-adjustable telescopic legs. These platforms are available in 4’x6′ or 4’x4′ sizes and can have steps attached to any side. If you require a portable stair with steps on the front or two sides, the ErectaStep portable stairs have you covered!
Available in sizes ranging from 28″ (71cm) to 63″ (160cm) high, these portable stair units can be adapted for nearly any terrain, making them a great option for worksites across Canada. At Northern Platforms, we carry a comprehensive inventory of the ErectaStep portable stairs in stock and ready to ship. So, when you need one of these units, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team and make accessing your job site trailer one step safer.
Below is a quick spec overview of the two models of the ErectaStep portable stairs available at Northern Platforms:
IBC & OSHA Compliant Models
For commercial and residential applications
4’x6′ Platform
Heavy Duty Platform with 100 psf (pounds per square foot) load requirements
Balusters with 4″ (102mm) spacing
OSHA Compliant Models
For industrial use applications only
4’x4′ Platform
Medium Duty Platform with 50 psf (pounds per square foot) load requirements
Handrails with standard balusters
Caring for Our Community
In addition to serving our fellow businesses with turnkey services, safe access and loading solutions, Northern Platforms also gives back to our community. Over the years, we have proudly partnered with and sponsored numerous community organizations and initiatives to show support and care for the community in which we live and work. Some of our most recent sponsorships and initiatives include:
Platinum Sponsor for Harry Ainlay Titans High School Senior Football Program
Sponsorship for Tee it Up for Mental Health Golf Tournament
Gold Sponsor for the Cameron Daye Memorial Golf Invitational
Donations to the Stollery Hospital
Donations to the Alberta Cancer Foundation
And more!
At Northern Platforms, we believe we are only as strong as the communities we work in, so we are committed to giving back.
Get a Quote Today!
With over two decades of experience under our belts and a commitment to our communities, Northern Platforms is your source for quality access solutions, turnkey services, and more. If your worksite would benefit from a set of ErectaStep portable stairs, contact us today to get a quote or to learn more about how the Northern Platforms team can support your business.
Creating a railcar fall protection system that addresses your safety concerns and enhances your operations can be complicated without expert support. Luckily, Northern Platforms is here to help, as we specialize in railcar and truck loading access and fall protection solutions.
Next, we will tell you about some of the essential railcar fall protection components your railyard needs and how our team can help you create a system that ensures your crew’s safety while enhancing your bottom line. Keep reading to find out more!
Essential Railcar Fall Protection Components
When setting up a railcar fall protection system, many components are required to ensure that your railyard is safe and compliant with local and national safety standards. At Northern Platforms, we’ve been helping railyards design their fall protection systems for over 20 years. Over the years, the following equipment and components have proven themselves time and time again to be essential, no matter the type of railcar or loading/unloading application. This includes:
Loading platforms and gangways
Spill containment berms and pans
Loading arms
While this is a short list, ultimately, the scope of your railcar fall protection depends on several factors, including the size of your railyard, types of railcars, and material being transported. At Northern Platforms, we have the inventory and expertise to help you determine what equipment and components are required to make your railcar loading/unloading applications safe, efficient, and compliant.
Some Overlooked Components and Things to Consider
As mentioned previously, the scope of your railcar fall protection system will vary depending on several factors. Below are a few questions to consider, as they will help you and the Northern Platforms team narrow down your railcar fall protection options:
How many railcars does your system need to access?
What type of railcars are you working with?
How many tracks are in your work area? Is the track straight or curved?
Are the railcars always parked in the same location, or does their placement vary depending on whether the railcars are spotted / loaded or unloaded?
How are you loading and unloading the railcar? With a loading arm, hose, or other means?
What is your railcar spotting philosophy?
In addition to considering the above questions, it’s also essential not to overlook some lesser-known railcar fall protection tools and equipment, as they can make a difference in the safety and compliance of your railyard. These components may include safety cages, safety showers, wheel chocks, safety flags, derailers and rerailers, signage, and lighting. At Northern Platforms, we carry everything you need to establish a safe railcar fall protection system; let our team help you choose the right components for your operations.
Your Source for Railcar Fall Protection Expertise
Since 2002, Northern Platforms has been Western Canada’s trusted source for safe access solutions, loading equipment, fall protection and more. With decades of experience under our belts, we have the knowledge and expertise to address your railcar fall protection needs.
Whether your railyard requires a fall protection system for a single car with a single hatch or multiple cars with multiple hatches or something in between, Northern Platforms has you covered! With a specialization in both railcar and truck loading applications, our team can custom create a fall protection system that not only ensures the safety of your crew but also enhances efficiency, keeps your railyard compliant, and improves your bottom line. So, when you need expert support, trust the pros at Northern Platforms!
Ready to Get Started?
To create the best possible railcar fall protection system for your operations, the team at Northern Platforms first needs to see what you’re currently working with, meaning we need to visit your site. Contact us to schedule a railcar fall protection system assessment with Northern Platforms. One of our team members will walk you through the process and help you narrow your options so your operations can function at their safest. Let’s get started today!
Top-loading arms are commonly used for loading railcars and trucks with LPG and sulfur. At Northern Platforms, we are proud to be industry leaders in distributing top-loading arms across Western Canada. Below, we will introduce you to four popular top-loading arm options from OPW Engineered Systems and a loading arm accessory that can make temperature-sensitive loading applications easier. Keep reading to find out more!
Supported and Unsupported Boom-Style Loading Arms
Northern Platforms’ OPW Boom-Style top-loading arms are a great option for facilities with variable reach applications. The Supported and Unsupported styles offer unparalleled flexibility, long-reach capabilities, and ease of operation, making them a popular choice in sulfur and LPG loading applications. Aside from their ease of use, the Supported and Unsupported Boom-style loading arms can both be folded back against your loading platform for convenient and compact storage.
Some other features and benefits of these top-loading arms include:
Available in 2”, 3”, 4” and 6” sizes
Available in stainless steel, carbon steel, or aluminum
The support section can be added to maximize both reach and weight limit capabilities
Your choice of flanged, threaded, or all-welded construction
Adaptable for tight-fill or closed-system loading when equipped with additional components available at Northern Platforms
Scissor Style Top-Loading Arm
The OPW Scissor Style top loading arms at Northern Platforms are primarily used in tanker truck loading and unloading operations where the reach is less than 120”. This loading arm is designed explicitly for top-loading applications requiring a variable operating range. One of the significant advantages of this top-loading arm is that its secondary arm can rotate 360° in the horizontal plane, providing your operators with a spotting allowance almost twice its length, making this top-loading arm a versatile loading solution.
Available in carbon steel, stainless steel or aluminum
Your choice of flanged, threaded or all-welded construction
With additional components, it can be adapted for tight-fill or closed-system loading applications
Fixed Reach Style Top Loading Arm
The final top loading arm style that is a popular choice for LPG and sulfur loading applications is the OPW Fixed Reach Style loader. This simple loading arm encompasses only three swivel planes of rotation. The two swivel planes permit both up and down and side-to-side movement, while the third swivel plane ensures the drop pipe stays vertical, making operations simple. If you’re looking to reduce leaks and drips of viscous products after loading, the team at Northern Platforms can ensure that this style of top-loading arm features a valve within the outboard.
Below are a few other stand-out features and benefits of this top-loading arm:
Available in 2”, 3” and 4” sizes
Available in carbon steel, stainless steel, or aluminum
Your choice of flanged, threaded or all-welded construction
Can be adapted for tight-fill or closed-system loading when equipped with additional components from Northern Platforms
Custom Insulation Packages for Temperature Sensitive Loading
When loading molten sulfur or other temperature-sensitive chemicals or materials, your operations need custom insulation packages. At Northern Platforms, we have the OPW Custom Insulation Packages, which offer superior heat retention, safety and outstanding range of motion. Compared to field-applied insulation, these custom insulation packages are fully removable and reusable.
Northern Platforms offers these packages in top and bottom designs, carbon steel or stainless steel and 2”, 3”, 4” and 6” sizes. So if your facility is loading or unloading molten sulfur or other temperature-sensitive materials, Northern Platforms is here to help.
Find the Loading Arms You Need at Northern Platforms
With our large inventory of OPW Engineered Systems products, including replacement parts, Northern Platforms is your source for all your loading and unloading equipment needs. Let our team work with you to find the right loading arms for your applications.
Contact us today to learn more about our OPW top-loading arms and Custom Insulation Packages.
When it comes to safety in industrial settings, there is no compromise. At Northern Platforms, we understand the challenges Safety Managers and Plant Managers face when it comes to ensuring the safety and compliance of their worksites. Fortunately, as your safe access solution experts, the Northern Platforms team is here to help!
Next, we will explain ways to spot potential trouble areas in your facility and how a set of crossover stairs can fix this potential hazard. Keep reading to find out more.
Understanding the Need for Safe Crossover Points
If you are a Safety Manager or Facility Plant Manager, you likely already know the importance of crossover stairs. Workers taking shortcuts over or under production lines is an age-old problem and one that can result in serious bodily harm, accidental death, and fines from governing bodies like OSHA and OH&S. Additionally, slips, accidental falls, and injuries commonly happen around ground-level obstacles and equipment that should have a designated crossover point. Fortunately, crossover stairs from Northern Platforms are the perfect solution.
Identifying Trouble Spots
When considering crossover stairs for your worksite or facility, it is essential to think like an inspector. Keep a keen eye out on how your employees move around your facility, then act immediately. Not only will this mentality keep your staff safe, but it will also give you peace of mind when your next safety inspection happens.
When observing your employees, ask yourself the following questions:
Is there an obstacle (such as a horizontal pipe, production line, or electrical conduit) that crosses an area of your facility’s deck?
Are workers always stepping over said obstacle instead of going around or to a designated crossover point?
Are your workers ducking underneath the obstacle to reach their stations or take a break?
Are your workers taking potentially dangerous shortcuts to cross your facility efficiently?
If you answer “Yes” to any of the above questions, then it’s likely that a crossover stair from Northern Platforms could solve these navigational issues and make your facility safer.
Remember, an injury to one of your workers due to them unsafely crossing over or under an obstacle in your facility can stop your operations. By providing your workers with secure access around obstacles and barriers with Northern Platforms crossover stairs, you’re ensuring their safety on the job, your facility’s compliance with safety regulations, and continuous production.
The ErectaStep Solution
If your worksite, facility or plant is facing safety and navigational issues, Northern Platforms is here to help! Our OSHA-compliant ErectaStep crossover stairs offer an easy-to-assemble solution. This five-piece modular system allows you to customize your crossover stairs to address any length or height your trouble areas require.
Each ErectaStep crossover stair system component is constructed from industrial-grade aluminum (also available in 304 stainless steel) and requires minimal tools and no welding for installation. When you bolt this modular access solution together, the result is a stable crossover stair that will not only last for years but can also be disassembled and reconfigured as your plant or facility grows.
When you need a cost-effective, easy-to-install, and OHSA / OH&S complaint crossover solution, Northern Platforms has you covered with our ErectaStep systems. Let our team help you design the custom access solutions you need with an on-site visit today!
Ready to Make Your Facility Safer?
With help from Northern Platforms’ highly trained and experienced team, we can ensure your facility or plant is safe and compliant. Contact us for a quote on your crossover stairs or to schedule an on-site visit and evaluation today! Remember, Northern Platforms is here to protect you and your workers from workplace injuries and to make loading, accessing, and unloading at your worksite a breeze.
At Northern Platforms, we understand that finding the right work platform for your facility or worksite can be challenging, as finding the right one-size-fits-all solution isn’t always easy or doable. Fortunately, we have a solution for tricky facilities or locations: our ErectaStep modular work platforms. Next, we will tell you more about this versatile platform and how our team can ensure you get the correct configuration for your operational needs. Keep reading to find out more!
Meet ErectaStep’s Innovative Modular Work Platforms
For over 20 years, Northern Platforms has been an industry leader in critical safe access solutions and loading equipment. One of our most versatile and popular products is Erectastep’s modular work platforms. These lightweight, aluminum work platforms can be adapted for nearly any application and facility. With its modular design, reusability, and simple installation process, our offering of ErectaStep modular work platforms can take your operations to the next level.
Let’s dig into this modular work platform further:
Versatile Modular Design and Components
Using only five components: prefabricated metal stairs, industrial handrails, metal work platforms, aluminum ladders and tower support, Northern Platforms’ ErectaStep modular work platform is a versatile yet sturdy access solution. This work platform is OSHA-compliant, precision manufactured, and fully engineered with quality materials. It also does not require any fabrication and can be configured into metal stairs, crossover stairs and many other designs to aid in movement over dike walls, pipes, equipment and more. So whether your facility needs a single 3’x3′ platform, a 3’x12′ walkway, a 9’x9′ work zone, or some other configuration, Northern Platforms’ inventory of ErectaStep modular work platforms has you covered!
Next are some features of our ErectaStep modular work platforms:
Universal design on all four sides of the platform for application adaptability
Aggressive self-draining tread
No welding, special tools or crane is required for assembly
OHSA-compliant
The lightweight yet durable design makes installation easy
Available in aluminum, galvanized, 304 stainless, and steel
If you’re considering installing an ErectaStep modular work platform into your facility, the Northern Platforms team is here to help! Our highly experienced and trained team will visit your site to identify goals and potential challenges with your facility; that way, we can ensure the job gets done right. We utilize a state-of-the-art custom configuration tool to virtually build your modular work platform, view accurate quotes, and see detailed design drawings in minutes. This lets you see exactly what your new modular work platform will look like once installed.
Northern Platforms’ team can even help you with the installation process! With our turnkey installation services, our team will take charge of the assembly process, ensuring that your equipment is installed safely and on time. This means you can focus on other aspects of your operations while Northern Platforms gets our hands dirty for you. Whether you need support installing your new ErectaStep modular work platform, OPW loading arms, or a railcar loading platform, our team is here to help!
Your End-To-End Partner
Since 2002, Northern Platforms has been your trusted source for SafeRack, OPW, ErectaStep, and many other quality access solutions from leading manufacturers. When you need a custom access solution for your facility or worksite, Northern Platforms in Leduc has you covered!
Contact us today to learn more about our ErectaStep modular work platforms or to find out more about our turnkey installation services!
When it comes to safety in industrial settings, there is no compromise. At Northern Platforms, we understand the challenges Safety Managers and Plant Managers face when it comes to ensuring the safety and compliance of their worksites. Fortunately, as your safe access solution experts, the Northern Platforms team is here to help!
Next, we will explain ways to spot potential trouble areas in your facility and how a set of crossover stairs can fix this potential hazard. Keep reading to find out more.
Understanding the Need for Safe Crossover Points
If you are a Safety Manager or Facility Plant Manager, you likely already know the importance of crossover stairs. Workers taking shortcuts over or under production lines is an age-old problem and one that can result in serious bodily harm, accidental death, and fines from governing bodies like OSHA and OH&S. Additionally, slips, accidental falls, and injuries commonly happen around ground-level obstacles and equipment that should have a designated crossover point. Fortunately, crossover stairs from Northern Platforms are the perfect solution.
Identifying Trouble Spots
When considering crossover stairs for your worksite or facility, it is essential to think like an inspector. Keep a keen eye out on how your employees move around your facility, then act immediately. Not only will this mentality keep your staff safe, but it will also give you peace of mind when your next safety inspection happens.
When observing your employees, ask yourself the following questions:
Is there an obstacle (such as a horizontal pipe, production line, or electrical conduit) that crosses an area of your facility’s deck?
Are workers always stepping over said obstacle instead of going around or to a designated crossover point?
Are your workers ducking underneath the obstacle to reach their stations or take a break?
Are your workers taking potentially dangerous shortcuts to cross your facility efficiently?
If you answer “Yes” to any of the above questions, then it’s likely that a crossover stair from Northern Platforms could solve these navigational issues and make your facility safer.
Remember, an injury to one of your workers due to them unsafely crossing over or under an obstacle in your facility can stop your operations. By providing your workers with secure access around obstacles and barriers with Northern Platforms crossover stairs, you’re ensuring their safety on the job, your facility’s compliance with safety regulations, and continuous production.
The ErectaStep Solution
If your worksite, facility or plant is facing safety and navigational issues, Northern Platforms is here to help! Our OSHA-compliant ErectaStep crossover stairs offer an easy-to-assemble solution. This five-piece modular system allows you to customize your crossover stairs to address any length or height your trouble areas require.
Each ErectaStep crossover stair system component is constructed from industrial-grade aluminum (also available in 304 stainless steel) and requires minimal tools and no welding for installation. When you bolt this modular access solution together, the result is a stable crossover stair that will not only last for years but can also be disassembled and reconfigured as your plant or facility grows.
When you need a cost-effective, easy-to-install, and OHSA / OH&S complaint crossover solution, Northern Platforms has you covered with our ErectaStep systems. Let our team help you design the custom access solutions you need with an on-site visit today!
Ready to Make Your Facility Safer?
With help from Northern Platforms’ highly trained and experienced team, we can ensure your facility or plant is safe and compliant. Contact us for a quote on your crossover stairs or to schedule an on-site visit and evaluation today! Remember, Northern Platforms is here to protect you and your workers from workplace injuries and to make loading, accessing, and unloading at your worksite a breeze.
