Looking for reliable industrial swing gates that work across every application? YellowGate has revolutionized workplace safety with a universal industrial swing gate that is suitable for virtually every application. These adjustable swing gates eliminate the traditional complexity of safety equipment while delivering superior protection across multiple industrial sectors. Keep reading to learn more about common uses for this product—and how to order YellowGate safety swing gates from Northern Platforms today!
Top Applications for Industrial Swing Gates
Oil and Gas Plants
Oil and gas facilities can be dangerous work sites, especially when operators regularly deal with elevated work platforms, ladders, and other falling hazards. In fact, one of the most significant risks for all workers is unsecured access points on ladders and hatches.
While these risks are significant, ensuring complete safety is easy. Oil and gas facilities count on YellowGate’s industrial swing gates to provide 24/7 protection for all open access points on ladders, stairs, and other areas on their site. For example, the Northern Platforms team installed over 50 safety swing gates at an oil and natural gas facility in central Alberta. This allowed workers to safely navigate the processing plant and ensure they were protected from falling hazardous at every step.
Food Processing Facilities
Food and beverage processing facilities combine elevated work environments with strict hygiene requirements. Workers regularly access significant heights on tanks, conveyor systems, and assembly lines. In these circumstances, food processing facilities can benefit from installing safety swing gates in several locations, including:
Mixing tanks and other processing locations.
Elevated conveyor systems.
Ladders and stairways leading to packaging and bottling assembly lines.
Rooftop Access
No matter what industry you operate in, you or your workers will likely have to access the rooftop at some point. From performing HVAC checks to maintaining important equipment, these regular tasks can be dangerous without proper protection in place. Pair your safety swing gates with portable railing systems for comprehensive rooftop fall protection.
Warehouse Loading Docks
In addition to standard adjustable swing gates, YellowGate offers the XL barrier gate, which offers 6 feet of adjustable traffic control. Suitable for both interior and exterior applications, this products easily protects passageways in your facilities, helping you control dangerous areas or block unauthorized access.
The Universal Solution: YellowGate Industrial Safety Gates
When dealing with conventional safety swing gates, your supplier will need to know several details, including:
The size of each opening where the gate will be installed.
How the gate will be mounted (square tubing vs. pipes).
The direction that the gate will swing.
However, with YellowGate’s innovative industrial safety gates, you don’t have to worry about all these details. Featuring a unique universal mounting system and 16-inch adjustability, these fall protection solutions fit almost every type of opening, regardless of your facility. For complete protection, simply count the number of openings on your site and place your order with Northern Platforms—no need for measuring, mounting considerations, or other time-consuming assessments.
Protect Your Facility Today
Ready to simplify your facility’s fall protection with universal adjustable swing gates? With just one SKU, you can guarantee your workers are protected at every turn. Contact Northern Platforms today for turnkey installation, maintenance programs, and more!
While flatbeds might not look as dangerous as tanker trucks or railcars, the truth is that working on these trailers regularly puts operators at risk of fatal falls. Plus, this risk is substantially increased without proper fall protection systems that adapt to the needs of the modern workplace. Enter: mobile fall protection for flatbed trailers. These simple and reliable systems turn life-threatening hazards into manageable solutions. Ready to learn how this product can transform your operations? Keep reading!
What are Mobile Fall Protection Platforms?
Combining safety, versatility, and adaptability, mobile fall protection platforms are an ideal addition to any operation that regularly deals with flatbed trailers. This equipment is designed to provide a secure working surface and fall protection for workers. It typically features large work surfaces, safety handrails, and wheels, allowing them to be positioned alongside trailers where needed.
Benefits of Mobile Platforms for Flatbed Fall Protection
Mobility: The most obvious advantage of this system is that mobile platforms move with your workers, unlike fixed systems. These systems are often equipped with 360-degree casters, making it easy for a single worker to move and position this system.
Versatility: From traditional flatbed trailers to step decks and lowboys, mobile platforms can be customized for any application. Mobile platforms are more than fall protection systems—they’re adaptable solutions with multiple uses. Once loading or unloading is complete, they can be used as standalone work platforms, access solutions, and more. Plus, mobile platforms can often be customized with modular handrails, enclosure panels, and more.
Passive Protection: While active fall protection systems like fall arrests require worker compliance, mobile platforms provide consistent support without any additional effort. With proper guardrails, operators are protected 24/7.
Introducing: RollAStep’s MP Series
Looking for your go-to flatbed fall safety solution? Look no further–RollaStep’s MP Series is one of the best products on the market. Combining the stability of a fixed work platform with the versatility of a movable platform, this fall protection system features:
9’ x 3’ work platforms to accommodate numerous operators.
360-degree swivelling and locking casters.
Removable handrails for ultimate versatility.
No-flat tires.
Aggressive no-slip surface.
Extra wide no-slip tread.
Technical Specifications
RollAStep’s MP series comes in several different sizes to accommodate the different circumstances of your site. Here are the technical specifications of each model:
Top Notch Products: We’re Western Canada’s leading supplier of RollaStep, ErectaStep, and SafeRack products. These brands are backed by decades of expertise and offer some of the bestselling fall protection products in all of North America.
One Stop Shop: Our Leduc warehouse is fully stocked and ready to serve you. On top of mobile platforms, we offer comprehensive solutions for truck and railcar loading, modular work platforms for warehouses, and more! No matter your needs, let Northern Platforms take care of it all.
On-Site Assessments: Whenever possible, the Northern Platforms team will schedule a comprehensive on-site assessment to identify your needs and recommend the ideal solution. If you are located in Alberta, give our team a call and we’ll have someone on site within a few business days.
Ready to create the ideal fuel tanker loading and unloading system from top to bottom? This blog post will walk you through all the essential equipment you’ll need. Plus, keep reading for some key considerations and featured manufacturers.
Essential Equipment for Fuel Tanker Loading
Bottom Loading Arms
Looking for the best fuel tanker loading equipment? The answer is simple: invest in a bottom-loading arm. While many operations count on top-loading technology, bottom-loading is superior for fuel-specific uses. When a fuel tanker is loaded from the bottom, it creates less turbulence. This helps reduce static build-up and significantly minimizes fire risks.
An added benefit? Bottom loading allows workers to safely load and unload product from the ground— completely eliminating falling risks or other hazards from working at height.
Hoses
While most industry professionals recommend loading arms over hoses, this tried-and-true loading system still has its place. Generally speaking, hoses are a great choice for simpler operations or businesses with limited budgets. When choosing your hose assembly, pay attention to material compatibility, temperature ranges, and pressure ratings.
Breakaway Couplings
Accidents can happen in even the most ideal circumstances. When you invest in breakaway couplings for your fuel tanker loading system, you are protecting your operation and your workers from any incident that accidentally causes your loading arm or hose to dislodge from the tanker while loading. If your vehicle moves unexpectedly, this device will automatically shut off the fuel flow, protecting you from catastrophic spills.
API Couplers
Another essential piece of fuel tanker loading equipment? API Couplers to help ensure secure connections and reduce operator error. These connections will only open when properly engaged, helping prevent small spills when your hose or loading arm is disconnected. Pair these with breakaway couplings for complete protection.
Spill Containment
While most fuel tanker sites have spill containment pads built into their sites, you can ensure complete protection with additional containment products from Northern Platforms. With portable containment berms, pads for oil drums, and more can compliment your permanent infrastructure to ensure your site is 100% compliant and protected at all times.
Considerations for the Best Fuel Tanker Loading System
When selecting your fuel tanker loading equipment, there are many questions you should ask yourself, including the following:
What types of trucks do you deal with?
How many trucks do you deal with?
What are the environmental considerations of your site?
What tanker truck configurations does your system need to accommodate?
What are your flow rate and capacity requirements?
Still not sure what kind of system is right for you? Contact the experts at Northern Platforms to walk through your options.
Best Brands for Fuel Tanker Loading Equipment in 2025
Three industry leaders dominate the fuel tanker loading equipment market, each bringing unique strengths to operations worldwide.
OPW
One of the best brands in the business, OPW specializes in loading arms, hoses, fittings, and couplings that make loading operations more efficient. With over 100 years of experience, OPW products are infinitely customizable. From simple installations to complex multi-arm configurations, trust OPW for a fuel tanker loading system that seamlessly fit your needs. Trust OPW for:
Top, bottom, and custom loading arms that can be configured for every situation. Several different styles are available, including fixed reach, scissor-style, and more.
Quick and dry disconnects to ensure that there are no hazardous leaks or drips during the loading or unloading process.
Breakaway couplings and swivel joints for flexible operations.
SafeRack
Industry leaders in all things fall protection, SafeRack has over 40 years of experience designing loading platforms, mobile access units, gangways, and more. All SafeRack solutions are designed to meet or exceed the OSHA or OH&S regulations of your area. Their top products include:
Truck loading platforms with customizations for pedestal, multi-hatch, single-sided, and double-sided applications.
Articulating and self-levelling gangways designed to provide complete fall protection.
Safety cages that are compatible with all other SafeRack products for ultimate safety.
UltraTech
Looking for comprehensive spill containment technology? With over 400 different products in their catalogue, UltraTech has got you covered. From basic containment pans to fast-deploying oil booms, these products prioritize fast and effective responses to any spill that occurs on your site. For your operations, consider one of these products:
Portable spill trays for underneath your loading arm or hose for protection in case of unintended drips.
Drum spill containment pads for any fuel, oil, or chemicals that require secondary containment.
Track containment pads for any operation that also deals with railcars.
Northern Platforms: Western Canada’s Trusted Experts
Which item from this list are you choosing? No matter what you pick, you can trust Northern Platforms for high-quality, expertly designed fuel tanker loading systems that stand the test of time. We have over 20 years of experience and a comprehensive inventory from the industry’s best suppliers, including SafeRack, OPW, Ultratech, and more. Ready to get started? Call us today to schedule your first site visit!
Industrial facilities constantly balance numerous demands. Are you struggling to ensure worker safety while still meeting operational standards? Articulating stairs might be the perfect solution. Let’s explain how one simple piece of equipment from Northern Platforms has helped reduce injury, optimize workflow, and meet other modern industrial needs.
What are Articulating Stairs?
Articulating stairs are adjustable stair systems designed to provide safe and stable access to areas at varying heights. Unlike fixed staircases or ladders, articulating stairs automatically adjust their angle and step level to match the height of the platform, truck, railcar, or equipment being accessed. This self-levelling feature ensures that each step remains even and secure, reducing the risk of slips, trips, or falls.
Types of Articulating Stairs
Northern Platforms offers two types of articulating stairs for specific applications.
For industrial truck and railcar loading/unloading: Saferack’s Self-Adjusting Stair gangway is built to articulate and self-level, with an adjustable working range of 40° below horizontal and 45° above horizontal. Learn more about our various gangway options in our previous post, “SafeRack Gangways and More at Northern Platforms.”
For commercial warehouses: RollaStep G Series Self-Levelling Stairs also allow for height adjustability. Unlike a gangway, this access solution includes a work platform, making it perfect for warehouses, processing plants, and other interior industrial applications. Read more: “The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Portable Stairs for Your Workplace.”
Benefits of Articulating Stairs
Reduced Worker Injury
Many industrial environments regularly expose workers to fall risks, especially when climbing on top of tanker trucks or grabbing product from hard-to-reach shelves. Often, sites do not have adequate fall protection in place, especially when using outdated solutions. When you opt for articulating stairs, workers benefit from OH&S compliant handrails, integrated fall protection systems, and more. With more effective systems in place, you will benefit from a safer and more efficient workplace.
Improved Site Efficiency
When workers are limited to traditional ladders, they must always maintain three points of contact. While this regulation is crucial for safety purposes, it can also make carrying tools, equipment, or products difficult while ascending or descending the stairs, significantly slowing down workflows. Want to speed up your operations while still keeping safety at the forefront? Consider articulating stairs. With enhanced safety features, these solutions allow workers to easily transport materials with both hands.
Cut Down Long-Term Costs
While articulating stairs cost more than traditional ladders, they actually save you money, depending on your operation. If your workers regularly access materials or trucks of different heights, articulating stairs can streamline your operations process, increasing the number of trucks you can unload or products you can ship in a day. Additionally, your articulating stairs include several enhanced safety features, which help avoid costly injuries or regulatory fines. So, while the initial cost might seem steep, consider your long-term savings when adding articulating stairs to your site.
Trust Northern Platforms for Articulating Stairs, Portable Stairs, and More
Whether you are dealing with strict regulatory requirements or intense efficiency demands, Northern Platforms is here to help. With over 20 years of experience in safe access equipment, we have what it takes to find a solution that integrates seamlessly into your operation for years to come. Not sure where to start? Call us at (780) 986-8825 today to schedule your free site visit and learn more about how our team can help! For more information, check out our service page or product catalogue.
For workers in the liquid chemicals industry, one of the most crucial parts of their job is having access to safety equipment that makes completing day-to-day tasks easier. While this might sound straightforward, it is more challenging than you think. Completing even the most basic jobs safely and comfortably can be complicated with dangerous built-in systems and consistent equipment design flaws.
That’s why investing in the best safety equipment is so important. It can help improve the efficiency of your operations and ensure that your workers are protected. Products like portable truck access stairs, loading racks, and fall protection systems all work together to ensure your workers’ protection at every turn.
In this post, we’ll explain why you should add a mobile access unit to your operations and how the Northern Platforms team can help you find the right solution.
What are Portable Truck Access Stairs?
Portable truck access stairs, also known as mobile access units or tanker ladders, are used to safely climb on top of tanker trucks and railcars to complete inspections, venting, loading, and unloading. These units are safer alternatives to the preexisting ladders on tanker trucks, which usually have thin rungs and inadequate fall protection. These ladders can be extremely unsafe, especially in Alberta and BC’s cold and wet climates.
Portable vs Permanent Truck Fall Protection: What’s Right for You?
Portable stairs with a platform are ideal for temporary or remote job sites, where investing in a permanent solution doesn’t make sense. Similarly, if your workplace requires a lot of flexibility, portable racks are great for their versatility and mobility. However, here’s what you should remember: investing in permanentfall protection systems like truck loading racks and platforms is smarter in some situations. For example, if your facility has a fixed loading lane or unloading bay where tanker trucks regularly drive in and out, a permanent solution makes the most sense for you.
At Northern Platforms, we stock a variety of permanent and portable fall protection systems. Not sure which solution is right for you? Our experts are ready to help you find the perfect safe access system for your unique needs. Read more about Tanker Truck Fall Protection Options at Northern Platforms. Ask yourself:
Do you load/unload/work on trucks/railcars in many different locations on your site?
Do you deal primarily with vehicles of varying heights, sizes, and types?
Is your worksite temporary or remote?
Are there obstacles or environmental conditions that prevent a permanent installation?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions, keep reading! Next, we’ll discuss SafeRack’s MAUI, the best portable truck access stairs in the business.
Choosing the Best Portable Access Unit: SafeRack’s MAUI
Now that you’ve determined that a mobile tanker ladder is right for you, it’s time to find the perfect unit. That’s where SafeRack’s MAUI comes in. Unlike most mobile tanker truck fall protection systems that require support from the vehicle, the SafeRack MAUI is a self-supporting unit. This means it does not need to rest on the trailer, ensuring stability and preventing the risk of tipping over, even on uneven surfaces. Plus, it comes equipped with a safety cage and no-flat tires. All these features make the MAUI reliable and preferred by all our customers in the liquid chemical business.
SafeRack’s MAUI 10/14 vs MAUI 12/16
The MAUI comes in two different heights.
MAUI 10/14 Mobile Loading Platform
MAUI 12/16 Mobile Loading Platform
Ladder Height
10’ to 14’
12’ to 16’
Vehicle Access Height
9’6” to 14’0” (ATV Model: 11′- 6 ¾” to 15′ – 6 ¾”)
12’0 to 16’0” (ATV Model: 13′-6 ¾” to 17′-6 ¾”)
Load Capacity
2,000 lbs (907 kg)
2,300 lbs (1,043 kg)
Both models are available with perpendicular or parallel configurations. Choose perpendicular for easy spotting with tankers. Parallel is best suited for increased maneuverability in tight spaces. Additionally, the MAUI is available in an ATV model, which is ideal for rugged terrain. Remember that the ATV has slightly different vehicle access heights than the traditional MAUI. If you have questions, contact a Northern Platforms team member for more information.
Choose Northern Platforms for Portable Tanker Ladders and More
Looking to level up your operations in 2025? Investing in truck loading and unloading systems is a great place to start. These racks can improve efficiency on your site and protect your workers. In this post, we’ll outline what every potential buyer should consider before investing in a truck loading platform in 2025. Keep reading to learn more!
Key Features of Truck Loading Platforms
Looking to select the right rack for you? Consider the following features:
Load Capacity: How much does your loading platform need to handle?
Adjustability: Do you need to load and unload trucks of varying heights and sizes?
Hatch Configuration: Do your trucks have bottom or top loading hatches? Do they have both?
Mobility: Do you regularly load and unload trucks in the same location?
Regulatory Compliance: Does the loading platform comply with your area’s local and national regulations?
Workers regularly risk falls, slips, and other accidents when loading and unloading tanker trucks. A misplaced step could result in a fatal fall without proper fall protection. When you invest in truck loading platforms, your workers can get up and down from these trucks quickly and safely. Plus, if your rack is designed with your workers in mind, they are less likely to put their health at risk by cutting corners or misusing the equipment.
Increase Productivity
Simply put, safer workers mean better operations. When you reduce the amount of worker injuries, you increase the efficiency of your operations and ensure that you are consistently meeting the demands of your business.
SafeRack’s Truck Loading Platforms
If you are debating which brand to partner with for your new loading system, look no further: SafeRack’s products are undoubtedly the best in the business. Self-adjusting stair gangways ensure a level walking experience for workers at all times. This system is also ideal for many customers because it easily fits around both rounded tanker trucks and square isotainers. Customers also prefer SafeRack over their competitors due to integrated safety cages, meaning that workers are always protected from falls. Additional key features of SafeRack’s truck loading platforms include:
Gangways have a 500 lb load capacity
Gangways are often equipment with a safety cage
Adaptable configurations including tracking gangway to allow for miss-spotting of vehicles
Can be supplied with loading arms
Made from heavy-gauge galvanized steel or aluminum
Custom Loading Systems from Northern Platforms
At Northern Platforms, we are here to help every step of the way. From design to delivery to installation, we’ll ensure your new loading and unloading racks integrate seamlessly into your existing operation. We have over 20 years of experience building safe and efficient truck loading racks, so you can count on us to have your system designed quickly! Trust the Northern Platforms team for anything from routine operations to one-of-a-kind situations. We can customize your truck loading platform to include:
Start designing your truck loading system with Northern Platforms today! Simply schedule a site visit, and one of our experts will assess your operation and provide suggestions for your new system. Trusted for our exceptional customer service, the Northern Platforms team has made worksites safer and more efficient since 2002. Contact us today to get started!
