Tired of dealing with messy loading setups and inadequate access solutions that make operations difficult and unsafe? For those in the railcar or truck loading industry, loading platforms are a vital asset that makes operations much safer, as well as more efficient. With today’s loading platforms designed to uphold all OH&S/OSHA standards, as well as provide a safe work environment for applications that take place over 4 ft from ground level, truck loading platforms are a valuable asset to any hauling operation.
As one of Western Canada’s leading suppliers of safe access and loading solutions, we’re proud to offer top products from manufactures like SafeRack and more. Northern Platforms is also your exclusive source for SafeRack items in the west and offers a highly varied inventory to choose from. Below, we’ll take a close look at the benefits of truck loading safety platforms, including SafeRack’s self-adjusting stair gangway. Read on to learn more!
Safety First!
As we all know, Canada’s safety regulations for loading and unloading have become progressively more detailed, with compliance now being strictly enforced for everyone’s benefit. Safety platforms not only guarantee compliance but are designed to facilitate enhanced efficiency for your entire operation by minimizing risk. With heavy duty-safety cages and numerous options that can be supplied to meet your individual needs, safety platforms and gangways are set to tackle the heaviest of tasks. Northern Platforms’ loading safety platforms have everything you need to succeed!
SafeRack’s Self-Adjusting & Self-Leveling Gangway
At Northern Platforms, we believe in supplying our clients with only the best products. That’s why we’re proud to be western Canada’s exclusive source for SafeRack solutions. With a reputation for high-end results and unbeatable performance, SafeRack’s self-adjusting gangway system is designed to pair seamlessly with a wide variety of sizes and ranges of trucks. In addition, SafeRack’s self-adjusting / self-leveling gangway has a wide working range and makes it easy to deal with vehicles that vary in height. Best of all, the singular piece design means that welds are reduced and, as a result, potential failures are virtually eliminated. Northern Platforms’ SAS gangways are easy to use, long-lasting, and can be easily retrofitted to your existing platform as needed. The self-adjusting stair gangway is often supplied with a safety cage for extra fall protection and the gangways can also be supplied with a gangway track system to allow for miss-spotting of the trucks.
Your Exclusive Source
Northern Platforms is pleased to be the exclusive distributor of SafeRack products throughout Western Canada. 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!
Need a safeguard that keeps your workers in place and enhances the overall efficiency of your workplace? Swing gates are one of the most widely used safety tools used on industrial, retail, warehousing, and related job sites, and for good reason. Thanks to their effectiveness when it comes to serving as adequate fall protection, swing gates are a fantastic way to stay on top of OSHA & OH&S standards and mitigate hazards.
Northern Platforms is proud to be one of Western Canada’s leading suppliers of safe access solutions, including swing gates by Yellow Gate. If you’ve been looking for a reliable safeguard that makes elevated loading and unloading, as well as navigating gangways and related structures safe and efficient, it’s time to consider swing gates! Learn more about the benefits of metal swing gates below!
The Highest Level of Safety
At Northern Platforms, we believe that safety is paramount to successful operations, as well as keeping your crew happy and healthy on the job. Fall protection is one of the most vital aspects of on-site safety and helps minimize the risks associated with catwalks, platforms, loading platforms, rolling stairs, and related equipment. Swing gates serve as a passive form of fall protection by allowing individuals to pass through and perform their duties at higher levels, while also making sure they have stability and the last line of defense that prevents them from falling off.
Gates made by industry leaders like YellowGate offer unbeatable performance and have multiple benefits, including:
Strength And Durability
The best kind of safety equipment will be able to do its job today, but still, maintain effectiveness long down the line without degrading or breaking down. Since swing gates are a more passive form of fall protection, they’re able to maintain their performance for many years to come.
Versatility
While there’s always a place for highly specialized safety equipment, the versatility offered by swing gates is a significant plus to any job site and affords you superior value thanks to the wide range of options available. Steel or aluminum gates can be used both inside and outside and are suitable to serve as access gates, facility restriction enforcement, and more.
Customizable
Need gates that can be installed easily and fit your exact needs? YellowGate has you covered! Gates can easily be custom designed to meet your precise requirements and allow you to operate with confidence, no matter the scope of your operations and facility.
Swing Gates and More at Northern Platforms
Ready to swing to the front of the line for your customers? Northern Platforms is here to help! Located in Leduc, Alberta, our team is proud to offer clients across Western Canada access to leading products from manufactures like YellowGate, SafeRack (we are Western Canada’s exclusive distributor of SafeRack), and more. Contact us today to learn more about YellowGate solutions!
Did you know that each year, countless workplace safety incidences occur as the result of insufficient fall protection practices and solutions being present on the job site? Falls are among the most dangerous occurrences that can happen while loading or unloading your products to/from railcars, and the aftermath of an accident can have serious repercussions for your business in the long term. At Northern Platforms, we believe in providing our clients across Western Canada with safe access and loading solutions that make it easy to perform your day-to-day operations with minimal risk and maximizing productivity.
With many of our clients having railcar loading or unloading operations on their site, we understand the many unique challenges posed by loading railcars. While using loading platforms and loading arms go a long way toward minimizing risk, knowing how to proactively reduce the chances for accidents or fatalities is a must for every company. Below, we’ll detail three of the key ways you can help keep your worksite safe while dealing with railcars. Read on to learn more!
Prevention is Your Best Protection
As anyone familiar with the OSHA standards will know, when it comes to preventing worksite accidents, prevention is the best defence. While you will almost always find aspects that need to be improved over time, diligence and awareness are your two biggest assets when it comes to mitigating risk and creating a space that’s safe for everyone on site.
Railcars pose unique challenges to safety practices due to the many configurations they come in. The variances between railcars can make it hard for employees to be protected. Railcar lengths, heights, crash box sizes & variances all need to be taken into consideration when designing a safe loading or unloading station. With that being said, forethought, planning, and the right tools will help you keep everyone safe and set up for success.
Safely Equipped
One of the most important parts of injury prevention is using the right equipment that allows you to navigate railcars safely. Loading platforms, tracking gangways, safety cages and additional fall protection go a long way to reducing risk and keeping your crew efficient. And don’t forget before you do anything you need to chock the wheels on your railcar and set up your blue flag! Partnering with an experienced team like Northern Platform makes it easy to find exactly what pieces you need for your specific set-up, and allows you to have the peace of mind of knowing that all products will perform exactly as promised.
Train, Train, Train
Even with the right equipment in place, you should always ensure that all members of your crew have adequate training to know how to safely navigate your equipment, safety gear such as harness, and come equipped with their own PPE as required. Education is one of the most important parts of setting the foundation for a safe worksite and gives your team confidence as well as reassurance that they know what is required of them to get the job done with minimal risks.
Know the Challenges of Your Site
Every worksite is different, as are the needs of the railcars you have coming and going. Be aware of any challenges, limitations and special considerations you need to deal with be it from your facility, your cargo, or anything else you deal with. Thinking three steps ahead will save you time and money in the long run, not to mention keep everyone safe, happy and healthy!
Ready to Design the Perfect Railcar Safety Set Up?
Northern Platforms is here to help! Contact us today to learn more about our available solutions.
Looking for mobile truck access solutions that make it easy to load and unload within an industrial environment? Choosing the right kind of loading product involves the evaluation of several factors, including the nature of your cargo, fleet, number of hatches, and more. Northern Platforms makes it easy to find the right with a versatile inventory of solutions, including exclusive access to SafeRack products for Western Canada. For nearly two decades, we’ve offered our clients unparalleled service, unbeatable products, and most importantly: safety solutions you can trust. Below we’ll highlight one of SafeRack’s leading solutions for truck loading; the MAUI. Read on to learn how this incredible system can help protect both your crew and your equipment!
There’s a New Champion in Town
As we mentioned above, there’s no shortage of factors that go into selecting the right safe loading solutions for truck cargo. Elements such as what you’re hauling, the size and capabilities of your fleet, as well as your loading facility itself will all influence what kind of products are best suited for your operation. Knowing the specifics of your site and fleet will make finding the right fit much easier, and allow you peace of mind once you set your new system in place. For those look for a versatile and highly dependable option, SafeRack’s MAUI unit is a fantastic fit.
Built from the highest quality materials and backed by SafeRack’s reputation for excellence, the MAUI offers excellent durability with minimal maintenance needs. Equipped to handle loads of up to 500lbs, MAUI has solid no flat tires and is able to be reconfigured as needed for optimal convenience. MAUI’s OSHA compliant design is available in parallel and perpendicular configurations and its versatile nature makes it a vital asset to any safe loading fleet.
SafeRack Truck Loading Equipment, ONLY at Northern Platforms
Northern Platforms is Alberta and Western Canada’s exclusive distributor of SafeRack products, including their line of MAUI solutions. SafeRack’s exceptional reputation for performance and longevity has made them one of the most respected manufacturers in the industry, as well as the go-to source for the heavy industrial sectors. SafeRack’s dedication to safety and performance makes each of its products trustworthy and a valuable investment for your daily operations both in-house and in the field
As Western Canada’s exclusive SafeRack partner, Northern Platforms is pleased to offer our customers access to SafeRack’s incredible range of products, including the Maui Truck Mobile Access unit and much more. Contact our team today to learn more about Maui, SafeRack, as well as Northern Platforms’ extensive range of safe access and loading solutions!
If you’re in search of trusted loading solutions that allow you to safely transfer crude oil, Northern Platforms is on your side. With over 2 decades serving Canadians as a trusted distributor of safe loading and access equipment, our team is proud to offer you access to a wide range of tools, including crude oil loading arms from manufacturers like OPW and Emco Wheaton. Below, we’ll discuss some key factors to consider when choosing crude oil loading arms. Read on to learn more!
Why the Right Fit Matters
Loading arms are essential to aiding your operations for 2 main purposes: safety and efficiency. No matter what you’re transporting safety is a vital part of your operations, and specific products like crude oil will have unique requirements where loading and unloading is concerned. Ensuring you have the right fit not only keeps your process fast and productive, but also makes sure that everyone is safe in the process. Key considerations to finding your right fit include:
What Size of Loading Arm Do You Need?
Rail and truck loading arms typically range in size from 2″ to 6″. Knowing what size of loading arm is best suited to your operation, as well as knowing how it’s going to integrate with your existing platform/system plays an important role in finding the best fit.
Are You Loading Trucks or Railcars
While both are common for the safe transport of crude oil, trucks and railcars have different sizing and load specifications, so you’ll need to consider the exact needs of your transport carriers when selecting a loading arm. You will also need to know if you truck or railcar will be spotted right at the gangway each time or if your loading arm will need some flexibility to allow for miss-spotting of the truck or railcar.
How Are You Loading?
Crude oil is typically loaded either to atmosphere, also called splash loading, or via tight connection thorough the fill tube on the railcar. Depending on your setup, you’ll want to find the right fit for your loading arm to prevent mishaps. For example if you’re loading to atmosphere, if you are going to be doing vapor recovery you need to consider if you’re looking for a hatch plate, hatch plug, or inflatable hatch seal. Each with have unique needs that need to be dealt with.
Are You Loading Straight Crude Oil, or Oil That Has Been Diluted?
One of the major challenges of transporting and loading crude oil is preventing it from becoming overly viscous. Typically to make shipping crude oil easier condensate is added to crude oil to dilute it and make it easier to pump/ship. If you are not handling diluted bitumen, commonly referred to as Dilbit, then you’ll need to keep your loading arms hot to allow the crude oil/bitumen to easily flow through your loading arm. Working with industry leaders like OPW Engineered Systems and Emco Wheaton we can supply your loading arms with a few different styles of heat tracing. We can offer traditional steam jacketing, ControTrace, or electric heat tracing for your loading arm.
Do You Need A Safe Guard For Overfill/Level Detection
Finally, Northern Platforms offers a wide range of loading arms and solutions, including supplying a level probe or overfill sensor which can help prevent costly and dangerous spills on site.
Heavy Duty Loading Solutions at Northern Platforms
If your team is in need of loading and safe access solutions you can count on, Northern Platforms has you covered. For over 20 years, we’ve been Western Canada’s preferred provider of loading products from the top names in the business, and are proud to carry solutions from brands like SafeRack (Northern Platforms is your exclusive source for SafeRack products in Western Canada), OPW, Emco Wheaton and more. When it’s time to tackle the toughest of applications, you can count on us to have your back, both with an inventory you can trust and extensive support services including turnkey installations and more. For more information about our support services, as well as our available crude oil loading arms, contact us today.
Does your loading facility face challenges when it comes to reaching high up spaces as part of your daily operation? Whether you’re in retail fulfillment, the aerospace, marine, oil & gas, railroad, or related industries (to name just a few), rolling stairs and platforms play a vital role in helping to maintain safe standards on the worksite as well as keeping in compliance with OH&S / OSHA regulations. Rolling stairs make it easy for crew members to reach new heights, while also helping to minimize the risks associated with operating at higher levels by providing stability when it matters the most.
Northern Platforms is proud to be one of Western Canada’s leading suppliers of loading and access solutions, including rolling stairs and platforms from both ErectaStep and RollaStep. Below, we’ll explore some of the perks and tips when it comes to using rolling platforms. Read on to learn more!
When Should You Use Rolling Platforms
While there’s no one reason to consider rolling platforms, it is their sheer versatility that makes them such a valuable resource for any operation. Whether you need a stable way of transporting and transferring bulking inventory or retrieving valuable resources for shipment, or simply need an easier way for crew members to reach higher areas of a job site, rolling platforms are there to help. In comparison to other kinds of ladders and elevation systems that lack significant safety features, rolling platforms often include handrails, locking devices, height adjustability and other customizable options to help avoid accidents. This allows for greater performance while minimizing risk and boosting ROI.
Best Practices: Quick Tips
As we mentioned above, rolling platforms are already significantly safer than competing solutions, however, best practices should always be followed to ensure that everyone is operating at the highest level of excellence possible. Below are a few key factors/practices to keep in mind.
Size Matters
Just like choosing a standard ladder, sizing is key to ensuring that your platform sufficiently fits the space(s) it will be used in. The right fit will help to minimize risks and allow your team to get to work comfortably and efficiently. Bear and mind that, when choosing a size, it’s not just a question of spatial allowances, but also the intended purpose for the unit overall, including in other areas should you choose to relocate it on the completion of one project.
Inspect to Protect
Standard safety protocols dictate that all work equipment should be inspected prior to beginning your operations, and platforms are no different. Ensure crew members always give the unit a look over before ascending checking for any visible signs of damage that could compromise structural soundness, as well as ensuring that locks and all other safety features are engaged.
Positioning/Storage
Similar to the above, the unit should always be properly positioned within your location for the best results. Be aware of any safety hazards in the immediate area (water, electrical currents, overhead wires, etc), and position your platform accordingly to minimize risk. When storing between uses, you’ll want to ensure the unit is kept away from any liquids or chemicals (as commonly found in industrial settings) that could create a slick surface that unobservant crew members could miss. Regular upkeep should be a priority as well to reduce the chance of sudden failures.
Train All Parties
Finally, all parties that will use the platforms should undergo specific safety training related to best practices regarding your rolling equipment. No matter how simplistic your equipment may be, education is, and always will be the best asset when it comes to reducing risk!
RollaStep and ErectaStep Solutions and More at Northern Platforms
For over 20, Northern Platforms has served as one of Western Canada’s most trusted suppliers of loading platforms, stairs, racks, and more. As a family-owned company based out of Alberta, we strive to give back and go the extra mile to give our customers unbeatable support when it matters the most by offering turnkey installation services, maintenance assistance, and a vast inventory you can count on. Among our available products, you’ll find a wide range of products including stairs and platforms from RollaStep, ErectaStep, SafeRack (we are the exclusive dealer of SafeRack for Western Canada), and more.
Learn more about our rolling platform solutions as well as our extensive range of other items by contacting our team today!
