Without the right equipment, flatbed loading can be dangerous for truck operators and nearby personnel. At Northern Platforms, we can help you reduce the risk of injury or accident during these difficult applications. With our inventory of RollaStep rolling stairs and work platforms, we will surely find the proper access solution for your application.
Next, we will tell you about the RollaStep MP Series and how it can make flatbed loading much more accessible. Keep reading to find out more!
Introducing the MP Series: Features and Design
Northern Platforms proudly carries a comprehensive inventory of RollaStep rolling stairs and mobile work platforms. In particular, the MP Series is a highly mobile work platform that offers uncompromising safety as it combines the workspace and stability of a fixed platform with the mobility of a rolling stair.
The MP Series can safely accommodate multiple operators alongside their parts and equipment with a large 9’x3’ work platform, powder-coated handrails, and full-size 45° rise stair stringer. Manufactured from lightweight aluminum and OSHA-compliant, the MP Series from Northern Platforms is a versatile and well-built piece of access equipment that can make loading, unloading, maintenance and more that much easier.
Versatile, Configurable, and Customizable
While the MP Series offers exceptional safety and engineering, there are even more benefits to these rolling stairs. For instance, the removable handrails allow you to cantilever the end handrail or remove an entire side to access flatbed trailers or reach over an obstruction. The handrails can be quickly slid in and out of place without tools, allowing your team to reconfigure these rolling stairs as needed.
Northern Platforms can customize your MP rolling stairs completely for your unique needs. So whether you need a cantilever platform with angled handrails during aircraft applications or padded bumpers to prevent damage to equipment or trailers, Northern Platforms has you covered!
Flatbed Fall Protection with Custom Rolling Stairs
Speaking of customized access solutions, we often see one configuration for the MP Series at Northern Platforms: an extra long length with no handrails on one side specifically for flatbed loading applications. As mentioned, the MP Series rolling stairs can be customized for flatbed applications. This unit provides truck operators the ease and safety of loading and securing their cargo before continuing their travels. The locking 8” swivel casters make moving the unit a breeze, while the safety yellow powder-coated handrails ensure visibility. So, if your loading bay works with flatbed trucks day in and day out, consider investing in a custom MP Series rolling stair and take the safety and efficiency of your operations up a step.
Your Source for Preventative Maintenance and More
Aside from our wide inventory of industry-leading safe access solutions, loading arms, gangways and more, Northern Platforms also offers preventative maintenance services. Our knowledgeable team is trained to perform complete maintenance on each type of equipment we sell. This means that if your manufacturer’s manual says your rolling stairs require semi-annual or annual maintenance, our team is here to help!
We can even work with you to develop a custom maintenance schedule, including detailed work completed reports, that meets your facility’s and equipment’s needs. With replacement parts available and preventative maintenance support, Northern Platforms is your source for safe access solutions and more!
The Safe Access Solutions You Need Close to Home
Located in Leduc, Alberta, Northern Platforms is your Western Canadian source for safe access solutions, loading arms, fall protection and more. Contact us to get a quote on an MP Series rolling stair from RollaStep or to learn more about our equipment maintenance services!
Together, let’s make your operations safer and more efficient.
Bottom-loading arms offer several advantages over other types of loading equipment. At Northern Platforms, we carry a complete range of OPW Engineered Systems’ loading arms perfect for sulfur and LPG loading applications.
Below, we will highlight our top three models for sulfur and LPG loading and a bottom loading arm accessory that can make molten sulfur loading safer. Keep reading to find out more!
Unsupported Boom Bottom Loader
The OPW Unsupported Boom Bottom Loading Arm is designed to provide a flexible, long-range, reliable operation that is easy to use in sulfur and LPG loading operations. This heavy-duty bottom-loading arm has five swivel planes of rotation, allowing for adjustments when changes in elevation or tilting due to the vehicle being loaded or unloaded occur. If you’re looking for a versatile, heavy-duty, and durable bottom-loading arm for your LPG or sulfur-loading applications, the OPW Unsupported Boom Bottom Loader from Northern Platforms has you covered!
Here are a few other features and benefits of this loading arm:
Available in 2″ to 6″ sizes
Available in carbon steel, stainless steel and aluminum
Fully customizable
Can be safely stored in a “jack-knife” position for safe clearance of vehicles
Easy to operate and maneuver
Features a low profile design with a long reach, making it ideal for railcar unloading
Easily connects under trucks
Eliminate the need for hoses
A-Frame Loader
Another great bottom-loading arm option from Northern Platforms is the OPW A-Frame Loader. This loading arm is a popular option for LPG loading applications. Its unique configuration enables flexibility and a long reach while remaining convenient and easy to use. Typically used for tanker truck bottom-loading applications, the A-Frame Loader can also be utilized in top-loading/ unloading operations, making it a versatile option. And just like the Unsupported Boom loader, this bottom loading arm also adjusts for changes in tilt or elevation during loading operations.
Next are some additional benefits and features of the OPW A-Frame Loader available at Northern Platforms:
Available in 2″ to 4″ sizes
Available in carbon steel, stainless steel and aluminum
LPG options feature an all-welded construction
Crossovers can easily be achieved
For multiple product applications, this loading arm can be mounted closely to others
Stores in an upright, near-vertical position for closer installation proximity
Fully customizable
Eliminates the need for hoses
CWH-Series Counterweighted Hose Loader
The last bottom loading arm we’d like to highlight is the OPW CWH-Series Counterweighted Hose Loader. This loading arm’s simple yet rugged construction provides efficient handling and coupling to tank adaptors. At the same time, the flange-by-flange base swivel joints ensure reliable performance and easy maintenance. The counterbalance adjustment is also smooth and straightforward, making the loading or unloading process quick and efficient.
Below are some other features and benefits of the CWH-Series Counterweighted Hose Loader:
Features 4″ arms with a 114″ reach
Manufactured from carbon steel and aluminum
Includes a Dual Split Flange (DSF) inlet swivel for durability
Includes low-temperature fluorocarbon seals
The multiple-compartment loading capabilities save time
Crossover capabilities easily meet API envelope requirements
Comes with braided stainless steel or Rackmaster composite hose
Insulation for Molten Sulfur Loading
If your facility is specifically loading or unloading molten sulfur, then a bottom loading arm alone is not enough to ensure safe and efficient operation. At Northern Platforms, along with our inventory of bottom loading arms, we also offer a variety of loading arm accessories, such as the OPW Custom Insulation Packages. These removable and reusable insulation packages provide superior heat retention, safety, and an uncompromised range of motion, making them an excellent choice for temperature-sensitive loading applications. Available in 2″, 3″, 4″, and 6″ sizes and carbon steel or stainless construction, the OPW Custom Insulation Packages from Northern Platforms will ensure that your molten sulfur loading operations are safe and temperature protected.
Your Source for Loading Arms!
Are you ready to find the bottom-loading arms your operations need to ensure safety and efficiency? Trust Northern Platforms in Leduc, Alberta, to have you covered!
Contact us today to learn more about our offering of OPW bottom-loading arms and let our team help you find the right loading equipment for your application.
Industrial safety gates are an often overlooked safe access solution. However, they are a crucial piece of safety equipment that can protect your workers and ensure OSHA compliance. At Northern Platforms, we carry a large inventory of YellowGate self-closing swing gates, perfect for a wide range of facilities and plants. Keep reading to learn more about these safety gates!
Meet the YellowGate Self-Closing Swing Gate
At Northern Platforms, we carry a variety of safe access solutions that aren’t your typical safety equipment. For instance, our offering of Yellowgate self-closing swing gates is, in fact, a crucial safe access solution as it satisfies 1910.23 Guarding Floor & Wall Openings & Holes OSHA requirements. However, many plant managers and facility owners may not realize this, leaving their crew members at a higher risk of a fall injury.
The YellowGate self-closing swing gate is one of the most flexible gate products on the market. This gate can cover openings between 16” and 36” and is field adjustable with a simple wrench. The flexibility this self-closing swing gate offers not only keeps your facility safe and compliant but also can save you time and money. More on that later.
Here are some of the outstanding features of the YellowGate self-closing swing gate:
Stainless-Steel Mounting Hardware
Lightweight Aluminum Construction
Rust-Proof
Powder-Coated Safety Yellow
No Exposed Springs
Universal Mount for Easy Installation
Includes Stainless-Steel Mounting Kit and Tension Adjustment Tool
Versatile Mounting for All Applications
As hinted, the YellowGate self-closing swing gate can save you time and money. How? Well, since no facility or worksite is identical, you’ll need several safety gates across various locations and attached to many different surfaces. Since this self-closing swing gate comes with a universal mounting kit, it can be installed onto walls, square and round tubing, and angle iron in parallel and perpendicular positions. No welding, cutting, or drilling is required, so installation only takes a matter of minutes and a few hand tools. With this versatility, you can repeatedly use the YellowGate self-closing swing gate across many applications, saving you time and money.
Adjustable Swing Direction for Ease of Use
Compared to other self-closing swing gates available, Northern Platforms’ YellowGate swing gates are unlike the competition. These gates are designed to be as easy to adjust as possible. Say, for instance, you need to change the swing direction. With the YellowGate self-closing swing gate, doing so is as simple as changing the position of one bolt.
Additionally, the YellowGate safety swing gate can be opened to a maximum angle of 108° in either direction. This flexibility and ease of use means you are not limited in where or how you use this gate. At Northern Platforms, we keep a large inventory of the YellowGate self-closing swing gates. If you’d like a bulk order or need a new gate as soon as possible, we have you covered!
Expert Support with Turnkey Installation and Maintenance Services
Aside from our comprehensive inventory of safe access solutions from trusted manufacturers like ErectaStep, YellowGate, SafeRack, and RollaStep, we also offer turnkey installation and maintenance services.
When it comes to our installation services, our team will come to your site to discuss your specific needs and projects. Then, we will use our decades of experience to match the right set of equipment to your application. From conceptual layouts and scope development to quotes, project execution and installation, Northern Platforms is here to help you every step of the way.
On the other hand, our maintenance services are available semi-annually or yearly. The Northern Platforms team will even work with you to develop a custom maintenance schedule and plan to ensure the operational functionality of your equipment. Our team can perform complete preventative maintenance services on all the equipment we supply.
With detailed work reports included, Northern Platforms is your source for expert turnkey services.
Your End-to-End Partner
Are you ready to add a YellowGate self-closing swing gate to your facility or plant? Then don’t wait! At Northern Platforms, we have plenty of inventory in stock and ready to ship. Contact us today to place your order and make your workplace even safer this year.
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.
