For most loading or unloading operations, safe access is a constant priority. However, traditional stairways or integrated ladders often fail to accommodate the evolving demands of most businesses. Looking for a secure, reliable, and adaptable way to access the tops of your equipment? The answer lies in articulating stairs. In this blog post, we’ll break down the three types of articulating stairs that Northern Platforms offers. Keep reading to learn more!
Self-Adjusting Stair Gangways (SAS)
As the #1 selling gangway in North America, SafeRacks’s self-adjusting stair gangway (SAS) is the gold standard for safe vehicle access. These innovative systems feature stair treads that articulate and self-level automatically, easily accommodating different vehicle heights.
Here are some key details about the SAS gangway:
Suitable for trucks, railcars, and isotainers.
Adjusts to different vehicle heights with an 85-degree working range.
Available widths include 24”, 36”, 48”, 60”, and 72”.
Stairs can reach up to 101.5” in length.
Made from aluminum and includes stainless steel hardware.
Are compatible with SafeRack’s safety cages for complete fall protection
Flat Ramp Telescoping Gangways (FRT)
Flat ramp telescoping gangways offer specialized solutions for operations requiring extended reach capabilities, which can be particularly useful in railcar loading applications. The FRT design features a slip-resistant surface that eliminates dangerous gaps between loading platforms and railcar surfaces. This 21-inch telescoping extension accommodates various railcar configurations while maintaining safe footing for operators.
Important features of the FRT gangway include:
Specifically designed for railcar loading operations.
Widths from 24” to 72” available.
Available materials include aluminum, stainless steel, and galvanized steel.
37” to 89” range reach, with possible extensions to eliminate gaps.
Can hold up to 500lbs, with a handrail weight rating of 200lbs.
Top handrails can telescope in applications without a safety cage.
Simple Flat Ramp Gangways
If you are looking for an entry-level gangway, a simple flat ramp gangway is the right option for you. While this model does not offer the same articulating or telescoping features as the other options on this list, this cost-effective solution still has benefits. For example, it is more cost-effective than other articulating stairs, making it an excellent choice for small operations with limited budgets. Additionally, the straightforward flat ramp design features a slip-resistant walking surface and easy-to-use features, making it a popular choice for hopper car or truck applications where minimal height variation exists.
Here are some key features of the SFR gangway:
Suitable for both trucks and railcars, with specific advantages for hopper cars.
Features rubber bumps and machine-quality pivot points.
Widths ranging from 24’ to 72”, with a reach range of 36” to 88”
Available in aluminum, stainless steel, and galvanized steel.
Load capacity of 500lbs, with a handrail weight rating of 200lbs.
Choosing the Best Articulating Stairs for Your Site
Looking for a safe access solution that seamlessly integrates into your workflow? In order to find the best articulating stairs, you’ll need to assess the key features of each model.
Feature
SAS Gangways
FRT Gangways
Simple Flat Ramp
Best Applications
Sites with trucks of varying heights.
Railcar loading
Consistent vehicle heights and sites with basic needs.
Height Range
40° below to 45° above
15° above to 15° below
15° above to 15° below
Special Features
Self-leveling treads
Telescoping extension
Basic flat design
Complexity
High adjustment capability
Moderate extension system
Simple operation
Cost
$$$
$$
$
Generally speaking, opt for:
SAS gangways when dealing with varying heights.
FRT gangways for railcar operations.
SFR gangways for a budget-friendly option.
Still not sure which type of articulating stairs is best for your operation? Contact the Northern Platforms team for more information about your options.
Northern Platforms: Your Source for Gangways, Loading Platforms, and More
As Western Canada’s leading distributor of SafeRack safe access solutions, Northern Platforms has what it takes to make your operations safe, reliable, and efficient. With over 20 years of expertise in designing and installing comprehensive loading systems, our team will go above and beyond to understand the specific challenges and requirements of your business. Ready to experience all that Northern Platforms has to offer? Call us at (780) 986-8825 or explore our products online today.
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.
With the warmer temperatures comes the busy season for cement, asphalt, concrete, and fly ash operations. The last thing your business needs during peak season is a job site accident or injury to derail or stop production. Fortunately, with the proper safe access solutions, such as truck access platforms and safety cages, you can reduce the chances of an accident and ensure productivity. This is where Northern Platforms, with our comprehensive inventory of SafeRack products, can help! Let us explain further below…
Challenges in Cement Loading and Unloading
When loading and unloading cement trucks, there are several unique challenges and risks, especially regarding fall protection and truck access. In particular, high cycle rates, oversized and multi-truck configurations, multiple hatches, and nonstandard hatch opening orientations are a few factors that impact your operation’s efficiency and workers’ safety.
Since cement operations typically involve loading/unloading materials from a height, there is also a significant fall risk. One way to ensure the safety of your employees is to utilize a truck access platform or gangway, as well as a safety cage from Northern Platforms. Our offering of SafeRack gangways and cages provides a safe, enclosed walkway for your personnel to use when navigating between different levels, while the safety cage prevents them from slipping or falling off the edge. That way, not only are you improving the safety of your operations but also enhancing efficiency as your staff does not have to worry about working in potentially unsafe conditions.
At Northern Platforms, we recommend two critical safe access solutions for our customers in the cement industry–the SafeRack G4 Series Offset Cage and SAS Gangway. Let’s explore these truck access platform components below:
G4 Series Offset Cage
This innovative and durable safety cage was explicitly designed for the cement industry. The G4 Series Offset Cage features flared and tapered rungs, enabling the lid to have a full range of motion even while the equipment is in a working position. At the same time, the design of this safety cage ensures that it and the truck access platform it’s connected to will not have any interference when lowered on top of your cement trucks.
Like all SafeRack products, the G4 Series Offset Cage is manufactured with safety and longevity in mind. It is made with heavy-duty aluminum, advanced manufacturing techniques, and robotic welding to ensure its capabilities in demanding high-cycle applications. With the G4’s versatility to be a left or right offset, this is the perfect safety cage for any cement, asphalt, or dry ash operations.
SAS Gangway
When you need an easy-to-use and extremely rugged truck access platform, the SAS Gangway should be your first choice. Built to articulate and self-level, it can easily accommodate a variety of truck heights, with a working range of 40° below and 45° above horizontal. With extra-strong tube designs for safety cage mounting, a one-piece stair design, and reduced weld points, this truck access platform is built to last even in the most challenging applications.
Available at Northern Platforms in 24″, 36″, 48″, 60″, and 72″ widths and numerous lengths, the SafeRack SAS gangway is an excellent truck access platform option for operations handling cement, asphalt, or trucks of varying sizes.
Ready to Invest in Safety?
Northern Platforms can help you make your worksite safer by retrofitting your cement truck loading system with the SAS gangway or outfitting your operations with both the SAS platform and G4 Series safety cage. With our team’s help and our turnkey services, Northern Platforms can ensure that your operations are safe and efficient, no matter the material or vehicles you’re loading/unloading.
