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5 Essential Northern Platforms Products for Railcar Loading Safety 

5 Essential Northern Platforms Products for Railcar Loading Safety 

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. 

  1. 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. 

  1. 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. 

  1. 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. 

  1. 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. 

  1. 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. 

Truck Loading Platforms for Loading, Inspection and Venting

Truck Loading Platforms for Loading, Inspection and Venting

Whether your trucks need loading, inspection, or venting, a reliable truck-loading platform will make the process easier and safer. As Canada’s leading distributor of Saferack equipment, Northern Platforms can help you get the products you need for a safe and efficient loading operation. We distribute only the safest, most durable products—these are non-negotiable for industries handling hazardous and potentially hazardous materials.

If you’re looking to add a reliable truck loading platform to your assets, read more below about how we can help you find the best product. 

The Benefits of Saferack Products

Our team is happy to be a trusted distributor of Saferack products. With a 500 lb load capacity, solid tires, configuration capabilities, and a double-locking winch, the Saferack truck loading platform offers long-term safety you can rely on. The flawless design of this platform allows it to be easily adjustable and safely moved. It comes in two configurations: parallel and perpendicular. A perpendicular setup allows spotters to more easily spot tank trucks, while a parallel setup allows you to move the platform more easily in tight spaces. Saferack makes replacement parts for their products, ensuring that your investment in truck loading platforms goes further. As a trusted brand in truck loading operations, Saferack gives you better value for your money, all from a knowledgeable distributor. 

Why Use Northern Platforms as Your Distributor?

Sometimes, you need things in a pinch. If your safety equipment breaks or goes missing, you need to be able to get access to new products quickly so as not to disrupt operations. Not obtaining new equipment can lead to unsafe practices or stalled operations, both of which can end up costing the business. That’s why we always do everything in our power to ensure you get the things you need, when you need them.

We work with many industries, including oil and gas, marine, rail, agriculture, and pulp and paper. The truck loading platforms we bring you are compatible with loading operations for cement, sand, sulphur, mining, biodiesel, and more. Our staff are aware of the complications that can arise with the range of materials often being transported and will ask you questions to help us help you find the right solution. Depending on the trucks you need to access and for what reason, our recommendations will change. Whatever the nature of the need, our supply of Saferack products means you can get the truck loading platforms you trust, today.

Turnkey Products from Trustworthy Experts

Let one of our dedicated staff come to you onsite to ensure we get an accurate and timely assessment of your needs. We will question you about your problems and find you a solution based on the provided information and what we see. With fast turnaround times, Northern Platforms is the top distributor of safe loading solutions in Canada. 

Let Northern Platforms be your source for comprehensive truck loading platform equipment. Contact our team today to start a conversation regarding your operations, and we will reach out as soon as possible. 

Loading Tanker Trucks? Use a Quality Access Platform from Northern Platforms!

Loading Tanker Trucks? Use a Quality Access Platform from Northern Platforms!

Safety and efficiency during tanker truck loading applications cannot be compromised. At Northern Platforms, we understand how crucial these processes are for your operations. That’s why we are here to help you find the right tanker truck access platform for your facility.


Below, we will tell you about our SafeRack access platforms and gangways inventory and how our team can work with you to create a custom solution for your operations. Continue reading to find out more! 


Your Source for Tanker Truck Access Platforms

Whether your operations are loading tanker trucks with bottom hatches, top hatches, or both, Northern Platforms has you covered! As a leader in safe access and loading solutions, we carry a vast inventory of truck loading platforms and access solutions from SafeRack that can upgrade your operations’ efficiency, safety, and productivity. 


However, the team at Northern Platforms goes beyond meeting your operational needs; we also aim to exceed your expectations by delivering quality products and professional turnkey services. Our process of outfitting your loading operations with a tanker truck access platform starts with an on-site visit. This enables our team to understand your daily challenges and objectives. From there, we will develop a tanker truck loading access solution that will help you increase productivity, keep your workers safe, and ensure compliance with OSHA and other safety regulations. 


Looking for Flexibility In Your Loading?

One of the outstanding SafeRack products we carry at Northern Platforms is their track-mounted safe access gangways. These gangways slide horizontally along the loading platform, allowing your crew to quickly and safely access any place along the track system without stopping to move the tankers. With Northern Platforms’ SafeRack track-mounted loading gangways and access platforms, you’ll have the flexibility to spot vehicles of all sizes and types, speeding up your loading or unloading processes. 


The SafeRack track-mounted gangways are built with all of the safety features and mechanisms of their standard gangways and come equipped with a safety cage. This time-saving advantage, combined with the gangways’ durable, long-lasting design, means your operations will not only keep your crew safe but also enhance your bottom line.  


Custom Safety Access Platforms

At Northern Platforms, we understand that when it comes to tanker truck access platforms, one size may not fit all. As leaders in safe access solutions, we offer a range of loading rack and access platform solutions to meet your facility’s needs, including the one-of-a-kind type. With decades of experience under our belts, the Northern Platforms team can work with you to integrate any new solution fully into your existing operations. Whether that requires crafting a custom tanker truck access platform or simply adding a few fall protection components, Northern Platforms will work with you to find a cohesive, efficient, and productive solution that works for you! 


Ready to Get Started?

As a Canadian-owned and family-run company, Northern Platforms understands firsthand the importance of safety and efficiency in loading operations. With our expert team, turnkey services, and a comprehensive inventory of access solutions, loading arms, and loading racks, we are sure to find a tanker truck access platform solution that works for your operational demands.


Let our team guide you through your options today! Contact us to learn more about our SafeRack offering or to begin the custom access platform process.