A catwalk system, also known as a runway, is a narrow pathway or extended platform that gives workers safe access to elevated working areas. These systems help workers easily access maintenance areas, hard-to-reach equipment, and other parts of their facility. Are you looking to integrate a catwalk system into your warehouse? Keep reading to learn how ErectaStep’s modular and prefabricated catwalk system integrates seamlessly into your space without welding or custom fabrication.
What are the Elements of a Modular Catwalk System?
This system has five main components for catwalk construction that can be assembled and configured without welding or custom fabrication. From simple walkways to valve access platforms, use these elements to create the perfect solution for your worksite:
Catwalk systems are one of the most versatile solutions on the market and can be used in countless industries, including manufacturing, oil and gas, food processing, and more. Northern Platforms can help you set up industrial platforms, bridge maintenance walkways, construction site platforms, shipyard access platforms, and more. Erectastep’s modular catwalk systems have even been used in wineries to help elevate safe and easy access for workers!
What are the OSHA and OH&S Standards for Catwalks?
Occupational regulations for catwalks are important because they guarantee safe working and walking standards for individuals using a catwalk system in the workplace. All of ErectaStep’s bolt-together components are pre-engineered to comply with OSHA standards, including handrail specifications, tread depth, and riser height.
Free of fall hazards, including protruding objects, loose boards, corrosion, leaks, spills, snow, and ice.
Inspected regularly and maintained when necessary.
Able to maintain the maximum intended load.
Additionally, here are the more specific OSHA regulations around handrails, width, and load requirements:
Handrail requirements: Required for catwalks located 4 feet or higher above a lower level.
Width requirements: Minimum width is 18 inches. If accessed by a stairway, the catwalk must be the width of the stairway (minimum 22 inches).
Load requirements: Must support the maximum load, which includes the weight of employees, equipment and materials.
Toeboard requirements: Must be used to prevent objects from falling off elevated walkways. Minimum vertical height of 3.5 inches and withstand a force of at least 50 pounds.
Opening requirements: All openings must be protected by fall protection systems if they pose a risk of falls.
Trust Northern Platforms for Catwalk Systems, Modular Work Platforms, and More
Based in Leduc, Alberta, Northern Platforms has provided safe access solutions to Canadians since 2002. We have catwalk systems for sale and ready to ship, as well as other safe access solutions from reputable manufacturers like RollaStep, SafeRack, and YellowGate. Not sure what type of system will work for you? Call us, and one of our experts can visit your site and provide recommendations to make your workplace safer and more efficient. Get started today!
Ensuring railcar loading safety is critical for protecting workers, preventing accidents, and keeping operations running smoothly. Whether handling hazardous materials or bulk goods, following proper safety protocols is essential for minimizing risks.
Are you looking for the right safety equipment for your operation? Here are five essential Northern Platforms products that can enhance railcar loading safety for your operations.
At Northern Platforms, we pride ourselves on delivering customized safety solutions. Our team will visit your site, assess your needs, and tailor our recommendations to fit your unique requirements.
Gangways and Loading Platforms
Both gangways and loading platforms are popular solutions for ensuring the safety and productivity of railcar loading operations.
Loading platforms are the most used piece of safety equipment, as they provide workers with a secure place to stand while loading and unloading materials. Usually, these platforms are sturdy and non-slip, allowing multiple workers to stand on them for short periods during loading.
Your railcar loading operation should also include gangways, which bridge the gap between the loading platform and the railcar. This piece of equipment helps protect workers by reducing the risk of falls and injuries. Northern Platforms offers customizable gangways that adjust to various railcar heights, ensuring safe access and compliance with railcar loading safety standards.
Loading Arms
Top and bottom loading arms are crucial for railcar loading safety, especially when transferring liquids or hazardous materials. Unlike traditional hoses, loading arms are durable and offer precise control, reducing the risk of leaks and accidents. Their flexibility and sturdiness make them a safer and more reliable option for efficient material transfer.
Using loading arms instead of hoses can dramatically improve railcar loading safety by minimizing manual handling and preventing spills.
Wheel Chocks and Blue Flags Protection
Next, you will need wheel chocks, which are essential for preventing the railcar from accidentally moving during the loading process. Simple yet effective, these devices are placed under the railcar wheels to keep them stationary.
All railcar loading operations should include blue flags in addition to wheel chocks. Blue flags are visual symbols used to warn approaching railway vehicle operators that rail cars are being loaded and unloaded and to indicate that workmen are in the area.
Track Pans
Effective spill containment is critical to railcar loading safety, particularly when dealing with hazardous materials. Track pans are installed between the rail tracks to capture any spills during loading. This product helps safeguard both the workers and the environment from exposure to harmful substances.
Northern Platforms offers several containment solutions from UltraTech, including track pans, berms, and barrels, to ensure full compliance with safety regulations and prevent environmental damage.
Safety Showers
Having easily accessible safety showers is essential for emergency decontamination in any situation where hazardous materials are present. Safety regulations often require safety showers in all areas where chemicals are handled. Plus, positioning them within reach of the railcar loading area can make a significant difference in an emergency.
Ensure your railcar loading safety meets safety standards by equipping your site with properly maintained and strategically placed safety showers.
Safety Solutions Tailored to Your Needs
When it comes to loading your railcar safely, it is important to examine your existing operation. Northern Platforms is here to help you find safety solutions specifically tailored to your needs. Contact us today to start improving the safety and efficiency of your operations.
Loading a fuel tanker comes with significant risks due to the flammability of the liquid and its vapours. That’s why having a safe and efficient fuel tanker loading system is critical for your operations. If your current tanker truck loading system is showing its age or is no longer working to its full potential due to a change in your operations’ scale or scope, Northern Platforms is here to help!
Next, we will discuss tanker truck loading systems and how our team can help you design a system that enhances your operation’s safety and efficiency. Keep reading to find out more!
Understanding Tanker Truck Loading Systems
When loading or unloading tanker trucks, it’s essential to understand how these systems work first. That way, you can better understand your operation’s needs.
Whether you’re loading a fuel tanker, water truck, or sulfur tanker truck, the system components used follow the same basic principles:
Reduce the risk of environmental contamination.
Ensure operators’ safety.
Maintain a controlled loading/unloading process.
To achieve the above, tanker truck loading systems utilize top or bottom loading arms, loading platforms, gangways, safety cages, and hoses. Depending on the fuels, chemicals, or liquids you’re transporting, the system components you will use will vary as material compatibility, splash loading, and environmental and safety regulations will impact your options.
Additionally, the scope and scale of your tanker truck loading operations, the size of trucks you’re working with, and the environment your facility is in will also impact your tanker loading systems. For instance, if you have a bulk water dispensing station up in the freezing North, you’ll need loading system components that can withstand below-zero temperatures.
Fortunately, Northern Platforms is here to help! As a family-owned and operated business with more than two decades of experience in safe access and loading solutions, our team can help you find the right components and equipment for your fuel tanker loading systems. Whether you’re transporting water, biodiesel, or hydrogen as ammonia, we have the expertise and equipment to help you outfit your entire operations!
Tailored Solutions for Enhanced Operations
Regardless of the types of liquids or chemicals your operations are loading and unloading, Northern Platforms has all your safe access and loading equipment needs covered! As Western Canada’s leading safe access equipment, loading rack, and loading arm distributor, we have a comprehensive inventory of fuel tanker loading systems from trusted manufacturers like SafeRack, OPW Engineered Systems, Ultratech and more.
When you need a new fuel tanker loading system, our team can ensure you get a tailored solution by visiting your work site and working closely with you and your team. That way, we can better understand your operations’ current challenges, goals, and scope. From there, Northern Platforms will draft a fuel tanker loading system that will not only ensure the safety and functionality of your operations but also aid in increasing productivity.
With Northern Platforms’ professional turnkey solutions, we can guarantee that your loading systems are installed and maintained in optimal condition. So, if you need a system that will make loading or unloading water, fuel, or chemicals safer and more efficient, turn to the experts at Northern Platforms!
Get a Quote Today!
At Northern Platforms, we are committed to providing our customers with superior quality products, on-time delivery, and outstanding service. Contact us today to get a quote on your fuel tanker loading system or to learn more about our loading arms, loading racks, gangways, and more!
With the warmer temperatures comes the busy season for cement, asphalt, concrete, and fly ash operations. The last thing your business needs during peak season is a job site accident or injury to derail or stop production. Fortunately, with the proper safe access solutions, such as truck access platforms and safety cages, you can reduce the chances of an accident and ensure productivity. This is where Northern Platforms, with our comprehensive inventory of SafeRack products, can help! Let us explain further below…
Challenges in Cement Loading and Unloading
When loading and unloading cement trucks, there are several unique challenges and risks, especially regarding fall protection and truck access. In particular, high cycle rates, oversized and multi-truck configurations, multiple hatches, and nonstandard hatch opening orientations are a few factors that impact your operation’s efficiency and workers’ safety.
Since cement operations typically involve loading/unloading materials from a height, there is also a significant fall risk. One way to ensure the safety of your employees is to utilize a truck access platform or gangway, as well as a safety cage from Northern Platforms. Our offering of SafeRack gangways and cages provides a safe, enclosed walkway for your personnel to use when navigating between different levels, while the safety cage prevents them from slipping or falling off the edge. That way, not only are you improving the safety of your operations but also enhancing efficiency as your staff does not have to worry about working in potentially unsafe conditions.
At Northern Platforms, we recommend two critical safe access solutions for our customers in the cement industry–the SafeRack G4 Series Offset Cage and SAS Gangway. Let’s explore these truck access platform components below:
G4 Series Offset Cage
This innovative and durable safety cage was explicitly designed for the cement industry. The G4 Series Offset Cage features flared and tapered rungs, enabling the lid to have a full range of motion even while the equipment is in a working position. At the same time, the design of this safety cage ensures that it and the truck access platform it’s connected to will not have any interference when lowered on top of your cement trucks.
Like all SafeRack products, the G4 Series Offset Cage is manufactured with safety and longevity in mind. It is made with heavy-duty aluminum, advanced manufacturing techniques, and robotic welding to ensure its capabilities in demanding high-cycle applications. With the G4’s versatility to be a left or right offset, this is the perfect safety cage for any cement, asphalt, or dry ash operations.
SAS Gangway
When you need an easy-to-use and extremely rugged truck access platform, the SAS Gangway should be your first choice. Built to articulate and self-level, it can easily accommodate a variety of truck heights, with a working range of 40° below and 45° above horizontal. With extra-strong tube designs for safety cage mounting, a one-piece stair design, and reduced weld points, this truck access platform is built to last even in the most challenging applications.
Available at Northern Platforms in 24″, 36″, 48″, 60″, and 72″ widths and numerous lengths, the SafeRack SAS gangway is an excellent truck access platform option for operations handling cement, asphalt, or trucks of varying sizes.
Ready to Invest in Safety?
Northern Platforms can help you make your worksite safer by retrofitting your cement truck loading system with the SAS gangway or outfitting your operations with both the SAS platform and G4 Series safety cage. With our team’s help and our turnkey services, Northern Platforms can ensure that your operations are safe and efficient, no matter the material or vehicles you’re loading/unloading.
One critical area where safety cannot be compromised is in the loading and unloading of trucks. This is where truck fall protection systems come into play, and Northern Platforms offers a comprehensive solution for these crucial needs. Below, we’ll explore the importance of truck fall protection systems and the range of products that contribute to this vital safety aspect. Continue reading to find out more.
Comprehensive Truck Fall Protection Systems
Truck fall protection systems include a wide range of products and safety measures aimed at safeguarding workers during the loading and unloading of trucks. These systems not only protect employees but also ensure the efficient flow of operations, allowing trucks to transfer their loads quickly and safely.
At Northern Platforms, we’ve been a trusted partner in the design and installation of safe access solutions for truck loading and fall protection since 2002. Our solutions include custom steel loading platforms, available in both stationary and portable configurations. These platforms can be equipped with state-of-the-art loading arms, safety gates, fall protection systems, and operator gangways. We also offer the option to install operator buildings, safety showers, and shelters to provide employees with additional protection during loading and unloading processes.
The Importance of Comprehensive Solutions
High-quality safe access solutions are a hallmark of Northern Platforms‘ commitment to providing comprehensive truck fall protection systems. Our expertise extends to designing and building complete truck loading and tank trailer fall protection systems. These systems may encompass various components, including:
Custom Loading Platforms: Our loading platforms are engineered to accommodate single truck loading stations to multiple truck loading stations. We understand that trucks and trailers come in various shapes and sizes, so our solutions are flexible and can adapt to different configurations.
Loading Arms: These essential components efficiently load trailers and cargo vessels while ensuring the safety of workers.
Safety Gates: Fall protection is crucial, and our safety gates are designed to prevent accidents and injuries during loading and unloading processes.
Operator Gangways: Operator gangways offer a safe and convenient means for employees to access the truck or trailer during loading and unloading.
Our decades of experience providing truck fall protection systems have given us invaluable insights into what works best. We supply equipment that not only meets safety standards but also ensures the efficiency and consistency of your loading and unloading operations.
SafeRack SAS Gangways: A Versatile Component
As part of our commitment to safety and quality, Northern Platforms proudly stocks industry-leading products like SafeRack’s SAS gangways. These gangways are designed to articulate and self-level, accommodating varying heights of tanker trucks and trailers. They are built to last, thanks to their one-piece stair design that reduces welds, virtually eliminating failures. Despite their rugged construction, these SAS gangways are easy to use, with a spring counterbalance that requires minimal effort.
At Northern Platforms, our team takes a consultative approach to determine the best truck fall protection systems for your worksite. We offer on-site visits to develop the right system for your specific needs. With expedited delivery, precision-built components, and custom solutions available, SafeRack’s SAS gangways provide a comprehensive solution for your truck fall protection requirements.
Start Designing Your Truck Fall Protection System Today!
Truck fall protection systems are non-negotiable when it comes to ensuring the efficiency and safety of loading and unloading processes. At Northern Platforms, we offer solutions designed to provide reliable and comprehensive fall protection for workers in numerous industries. Additionally, we also offer installation and routine maintenance services to ensure your new fall protection system is correctly set up and ready to go.
Contact us today to learn more about setting up your truck fall protection system with Northern Platforms.
If you own an industrial facility, you understand the challenges of navigating a bustling warehouse, intricate manufacturing equipment, or an expansive oil and gas site. Each of these operations demands access and loading solutions that streamline movements while ensuring workers’ well-being. This is where industrial catwalks from Northern Platforms can help by transforming your business’s operations and elevating your safety standards.
At Northern Platforms, we proudly offer a comprehensive range of industrial catwalks and work platforms from ErectaStep, designed to redefine safety, accessibility, and productivity in diverse industrial settings. Below we will tell you more about the advantages of these industrial catwalks. Keep reading to find out more!
At Northern Platforms, we understand the significance of having reliable and innovative safe access solutions. That’s why we partner with industry leaders such as ErectaStep to bring you a wide range of industrial catwalk systems that cater to your industry’s unique needs. Overall, ErectaStep is renowned for its cutting-edge engineering and commitment to safety, making its modular products a natural choice for businesses looking to enhance their operations.
The Advantages of Industrial Catwalks
Industrial catwalks, also called elevated walkways or platforms, play a pivotal role in many industrial facilities. These elevated pathways provide safe and efficient access to various areas within a facility, enabling workers to overcome obstacles and ensure a smooth flow of operations. Industrial catwalks from Northern Platforms serve as a versatile solution, not only enhancing accessibility but also offering the advantage of creating vantage points for improved visibility and oversight. Some other benefits of industrial catwalks include the following:
Customized Solutions
ErectaStep’s industrial catwalk systems are popular across numerous industries for their unique customizability. At Northern Platforms, our team understands that no two facilities are alike. Fortunately, with ErectaStep, you don’t need to compromise on performance to accommodate your facility’s unique layout. These systems are designed to be adaptable, ensuring seamless integration into your operation’s existing working environment. Whether you need a straightforward walkway or a complex configuration with elevation changes and other features to navigate around obstacles, ErectaStep’s modular design allows for customized solutions that match your facility’s requirements exactly!
Uncompromised Safety
Another significant benefit of ErectaStep industrial catwalks is that they are engineered with safety in mind. These systems adhere to rigorous safety standards (including OSHA and OH&S compliance) and are crafted using high-quality aluminum components that ensure durability and reliability. Slip-resistant surfaces, sturdy handrails, and well-engineered structural components combine to create a secure pathway for your workers, thereby promoting a safer working environment.
Quick Shipping and Installation
For most industrial operations, time is of the essence. Fortunately, Northern Platforms has the inventory of ErectaStep industrial catwalks you need ready to ship as soon as possible. Moreover, our ErectaStep catwalk systems are simple to install. The modular design enables faster assembly and requires no special tools or boom trucks. Northern Platforms’ team can also assist you from start to finish! That means your operations can benefit from reduced downtime while ensuring a swift return to full capacity. This efficiency also extends to maintenance, as the modular components can be easily replaced for reconfigured as needed.
Choose Northern Platforms for Your Industrial Catwalk Needs
As Western Canada’s premier access and loading solutions distributor, Northern Platforms takes pride in offering top-tier products and services that can elevate your operations’ safety and efficiency. Our partnership with trusted manufacturers like ErectaStep underscores this commitment. With our offering of ErectaStep industrial catwalks, Northern Platforms enables you to create a pathway that surpasses obstacles, optimizes operations and enhances safety.
Whether you’re looking to install an industrial catwalk for the first time or are considering upgrading your existing infrastructure, Northern Platforms has the expertise, products, and dedication to help you find the best fit! Contact us today to see for yourself how ErectaStep industrial catwalks can transform your industrial facility into a safer and more efficient space.
