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Does Your Facility Need Crossover Stairs? Here’s How to Find Out! 

Does Your Facility Need Crossover Stairs? Here’s How to Find Out! 

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:

  1. Is there an obstacle (such as a horizontal pipe, production line, or electrical conduit) that crosses an area of your facility’s deck?
  2. Are workers always stepping over said obstacle instead of going around or to a designated crossover point?
  3. Are your workers ducking underneath the obstacle to reach their stations or take a break?
  4. 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.

Does Your Facility Need Crossover Stairs? Here’s How to Find Out! 

Does Your Facility Need Crossover Stairs? Here’s How to Find Out! 

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:

  1. Is there an obstacle (such as a horizontal pipe, production line, or electrical conduit) that crosses an area of your facility’s deck?
  2. Are workers always stepping over said obstacle instead of going around or to a designated crossover point?
  3. Are your workers ducking underneath the obstacle to reach their stations or take a break?
  4. 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.

Ensure Safety and Accessibility with Catwalk Platforms

Ensure Safety and Accessibility with Catwalk Platforms

Ensuring your employees can navigate obstacles or hazards securely is essential to maintaining a productive and safe work environment. This is where catwalk platforms from Northern Platforms come into play, providing a practical and efficient solution to enhance accessibility while minimizing safety risks. Below, we will explore typical applications for catwalk and crossover stairs, emphasizing the significance of these platforms in various industrial settings. Keep reading to find out more!


The Importance of Safety and Accessibility

Industrial catwalks and crossover stairs are essentially the same and are sometimes referred to as crossover ladders or platforms. These solutions play a critical role in improving safety and accessibility across numerous industrial settings. Workers naturally tend to take the shortest and simplest routes, often disregarding potential safety risks. By incorporating catwalk platforms in your facility, you create designated pathways that not only enhance safety but also make it easier for employees to access hard-to-reach areas.


Common Applications for Catwalk and Crossover Stairs

Industrial catwalks and crossover stairs are versatile access equipment that enables your crew to navigate your facility securely. While these safe access solutions can be used in a wide variety of applications, some of the most common applications include the following:

  1. Over Pipes: In many industrial facilities, pipelines and conduits are often elevated and can create obstacles. Catwalk platforms serve as a safe and efficient solution for workers to access these areas while ensuring their safety.
  2. Rooftops: Getting over HVAC and heating/cooling ducting systems on rooftops can be a challenge. Catwalk platforms provide an elevated path for employees to navigate these rooftop installations securely.
  3. Cable Trays and Instrumentation Lines: Industrial facilities often have an intricate network of cable trays and instrumentation lines. Catwalk platforms allow workers to access and maintain these systems with ease.
  4. Containment Berms: In settings where containment berms are in place for spill control, catwalk platforms offer a means to access and inspect these berms, ensuring they are in proper working order.


Customizable Catwalk Platforms

At Northern Platforms, we proudly offer ErectaStep industrial catwalk platforms that are both lightweight and customizable to fit your facility’s unique needs. These platforms are designed with simplicity in mind, making installation straightforward. But if you prefer a hassle-free installation, our team at Northern Platforms can handle the installation work for you!


Digital Customization Configuration

To ensure the optimal configuration for your catwalk platform, Northern Platforms offers the expertise of our team of safe access solution experts. They will visit your facility to identify potential challenges and design a catwalk platform tailored to your specific safety requirements. Using a digital customization configuration tool, we provide detailed blueprints of the access solutions we recommend so you can visualize the finished catwalk platform before installation and understand the final quote.


Catwalks, Gangways, Fall Protection and More

Catwalk platforms are crucial in enhancing safety and accessibility across various industrial applications. These platforms are essential for navigating numerous obstacles, such as pipes, rooftops, cable trays, and containment berms, ensuring your workers can perform their tasks securely.


Northern Platforms, with our customizable and easy-to-install catwalk solutions, is your trusted partner in elevating safety and accessibility in your industrial setting. Trust us to provide the right catwalk platform to meet your needs and enhance your facility’s safety.


Contact us today to learn more about installing an ErectaStep catwalk in your facility!

The Applications and Advantages of Crossover Stairs 

The Applications and Advantages of Crossover Stairs 

At Northern Platforms, we understand the importance of providing reliable solutions that enable seamless operations in diverse work environments. Our ErectaStep modular crossover stairs are a versatile and customizable answer to many common challenges in industrial settings. Next, we will cover some typical applications for crossover stairs and the advantages of choosing ErectaStep. Continue reading to find out more about these innovative, safe access solutions!


Common Applications for Crossover Stairs

Crossover stairs, sometimes called catwalks, serve a wide range of applications across various industries. Often, they crisscross busy industrial facilities, providing access to essential machinery and workstations. Northern Platforms’ inventory of ErectaStep crossover stairs offers a secure pathway, allowing your workers to move safely and efficiently, even at elevated heights. Whether you’re looking to ensure safety, navigate obstacles, or improve workflow, ErectaStep has you covered! Below are three of the most common applications where these innovative safe access solutions shine:

  1. Rooftops and HVAC Access: For maintenance personnel, gaining access to rooftops and HVAC systems is a frequent task. ErectaStep offers a solution to surmount heating, cooling, and ducting systems, ensuring the safety of workers working at heights.
  2. Cable Trays and Instrumentation Lines: The industrial landscape is often a maze of cables and instrumentation lines. Northern Platforms’ crossover stairs make it easy to navigate over these obstacles, streamlining daily operations and reducing the risk of accidents.
  3. Containment Berms: Safely crossing containment berms in industrial settings is essential for maintaining environmental and operational integrity. ErectaStep’s customizable designs adapt to the specific requirements of your facility, ensuring safety and navigability. 


ErectaStep: Versatility and Customization in One

One of the standout features of the ErectaStep crossover stairs is their versatility. These modular crossover stairs are designed to adapt to your facility’s unique needs and applications, offering several significant advantages:

  • Easy Assembly: ErectaStep’s lightweight aluminum components and modular design enable straightforward assembly without welding or special tools. With just a wrench, you can configure and install these stairs with ease (see more on this below).
  • Affordability: The modular design minimizes engineering costs, making ErectaStep a cost-effective solution for your facility’s access needs.
  • Compliance: ErectaStep crossover stairs are built to meet OSHA and OH&S safety standards, ensuring a secure working environment for your team, no matter how you configure them.
  • Durability: ErectaStep’s heavy-duty aluminum design minimizes weld points, enhancing the overall system’s strength and longevity.


At Northern Platforms, we understand that every industrial facility has unique needs. While ErectaStep’s versatile five-component design can accommodate numerous configurations, there are times when customization becomes essential. Whether you require tailor-made openings or contoured platforms to fit your precise requirements, our team is here to help.


To experience the seamless installation process of these crossover stairs and explore how they can enhance safety and accessibility in your facility, we encourage you to watch the short informative video below!


Simple Solutions for Big Problems

Northern Platforms‘ ErectaStep crossover stairs have redefined access solutions in industrial settings. With their adaptability, ease of assembly, compliance with safety standards, and customized options, they’re the perfect choice for enhancing safety and efficiency across various applications. Whether you need to navigate catwalks, access rooftops, or cross-cable trays, ErectaStep ensures your team can do so safely and efficiently.


Trust Northern Platforms to provide the ultimate solution for your facility’s access needs. Contact our team today to see for yourself how ErectaStep can enhance your worksite! 

Enhancing Workplace Safety with Northern Platforms’ Industrial Work Platforms

Enhancing Workplace Safety with Northern Platforms’ Industrial Work Platforms

Companies often face the dilemma of choosing between quick and cheap access solutions or investing in quality products that provide long-term benefits. At Northern Platforms, we firmly believe that understanding the unique needs of your operation and providing top-tier access solutions are the keys to success. That’s why we go above and beyond the competition to find solutions tailored to your facility’s unique needs. Continue reading to learn more about how Northern Platforms stands out from the competition and why ErectaStep should be your top choice for industrial work platforms. 


Why Quality Matters

When searching for industrial work platforms, opting for quick and cheap solutions can be a tempting but short-sighted approach. Cheaper alternatives seem appealing due to their lower price tags, but they come with inherent risks. These safe access solutions often compromise on materials, construction, and size, which can impact their durability and safety.


At Northern Platforms, we prioritize products like ErectaStep’s industrial work platforms as they are designed for heavy-duty industrial settings, built to last, and engineered explicitly for robust heavy-duty cycles. We believe in offering value for the long term rather than settling for quick fixes that might cost you more in the long run. 


ErectaStep: Versatile Industrial Work Platforms

One of the standout access solutions in our inventory is ErectaStep’s industrial work platforms. Their modular design allows for easy installation, eliminating the need for on-site fabrication. These platforms are OHSA/ OH&S compliant, precision manufactured, and ready to be shipped ASAP. Some benefits of these industrial work platforms include an aggressive self-draining tread, ADA and IBC compliance, versatile configuration options, and a universal design on all four sides. Northern Platforms’ team can even digitally craft design drawings at your site, providing you with accurate quotes and a clear visualization of how your new ErectaStrep industrial work platforms will integrate into your facility. 


Personalized and On-Site Understanding

One of the ways Northern Platforms stands out from the other suppliers is our commitment to building strong relationships with our clients. We don’t just rely on emails and phone calls to understand your unique needs; we take the extra step to visit your site and understand your applications. Our dedicated sales team is local, ensuring a quick and responsive approach to your needs. By coming to your site, the Northern Platforms team can better educate you about our products and terminology, providing a holistic understanding of how our solutions can enhance your operations.


Expert Guidance and Customization

At Northern Platforms, we take pride in our comprehensive inventory and expert customer service. If you’re uncertain about the right industrial work platform for your facility, our team of safe access solution experts is here to help. We can visit your site, assess your needs, and custom configure a design drawing to showcase how our recommended access solutions will fit into your facility. This hands-on approach allows you to make an informed decision and ensures that the solutions you choose are a perfect fit for your unique requirements.


Moreover, we don’t stop at product sales. Northern Platforms offers various supportive services, including installation and preventative maintenance. Our turnkey installation services ensure that your equipment is set up in a safe and timely manner, minimizing downtime and maximizing efficiency.


A Commitment to Safety

At Northern Platforms, we understand the significance of workplace safety. We stay updated on industry standards and work diligently to provide the best solutions to address the most frequent workplace safety concerns. Our mission is to eliminate the leading causes of preventable injuries and fatalities, both in the workplace and beyond.


When it comes to industrial work platforms and access solutions, Northern Platforms stands as a reliable partner committed to your safety and success. Make the savvy choice and prioritize safety, quality, and long-term benefits with Northern Platforms. Contact us today to get started. 

Improve Your Operations with ErectaStep Industrial Platforms and Walkways from Northern Platforms

Improve Your Operations with ErectaStep Industrial Platforms and Walkways from Northern Platforms

Optimizing your operations while prioritizing safety is vital to remain competitive in the ever-evolving industrial sector. Fortunately, with the help of Northern Platforms’ industrial platforms and walkways, your operations can stay ahead of the curve. These elevated pathways not only facilitate movement within your busy facilities but also redefine the way your business can navigate safety challenges. Next, we will discuss some features and benefits of Northern Platforms’ ErectaStep industrial platforms and walkways. Continue reading to find out more about these innovative access solutions. 


A New Perspective on Industrial Platforms and Walkways

Industrial platforms and walkways offer numerous advantages in the world of operational efficiency. These elevated pathways offer personnel a safe and efficient means of traversing within facilities, overcoming obstacles, and improving overall workflow. Yet, their benefits go beyond accessibility– they also serve as elevated platforms for enhanced visibility, loading, and management of operations.


Exploring Your Options: ErectaStep Industrial Platforms and Walkways

At Northern Platforms, our commitment to providing high-quality access solutions is reflected in our various partnerships with industry-leading manufacturers such as ErectaStep. Northern Platforms offers various industrial platforms and walkways to suit every application and facility. In particular, our ErectaStep offering embodies a dedication to innovation, quality and safety. Below are three ways ErectaStep’s industrial platforms and walkways can benefit your operations.


1) Safety Taken to New Heights

The cornerstone of every successful operation is a commitment to safety. ErectaStep’s commitment to safety is evident in every component of its industrial platforms and walkways. These modular systems adhere to stringent safety standards. They are constructed with quality, lightweight, and over-engineered aluminum (also available in galvanized and 304 stainless steel) to ensure longevity and reliability. While the slip-resistant surfaces, sturdy handrails, and OSHA and OH&S compliance ensure you provide your employees with secure pathways that foster a safer work environment. 


2) Efficiency in Every Detail

Across the industrial sector, time is money! Fortunately, ErectaStep’s industrial platforms and walkways not only enhance your operations but also expedite installation. These modular platforms are in stock and ready to ship at Northern Platforms, meaning you don’t have to wait weeks or months to get them in. While their modular design allows for rapid assembly (without any welding, special tools or cranes), minimizing losses due to downtime and ensuring uninterrupted operations. Moreover, this efficiency extends to maintenance as the modular components can easily be replaced, reconfigured, or added to as needed. 


3) Greater Versatility

Finally, the versatility of ErectaStep’s industrial platforms and walkways cannot be overlooked. From providing safe equipment access in manufacturing facilities to enabling oversight on elevated platforms within warehouses, these systems seamlessly integrate into various industrial environments. This same adaptability and flexibility make ErectaStep indispensable in oil and gas facilities, ensuring secure maintenance and inspections at elevated heights. 


Choose Northern Platforms for All of Your Safe Access Solution Needs

As Western Canada’s premier access and loading solutions distributor, Northern Platforms is dedicated to delivering high-quality products and turnkey services that enhance safety and efficiency. With ErectaStep’s industrial platforms and walkways in your facility, you can overcome access challenges, optimize your operations and nurture a culture of safety. So when you need industrial platforms and walkways, Northern Platforms is here to help.


Contact us today to explore more benefits of ErectaStep industrial platforms and walkways!