An essential part of many Albertan industries, tanker trucks transport essential chemicals, food products, and water on a daily basis. However, without proper fall protection, these essential trailers can become dangerous work sites. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the basics of a truck loading platform—including how they are used, what industries rely on them, and the elements that make up the ideal system. Keep reading to learn more!
What is a Truck Loading Platform?
A truck loading platform is a specialized access system designed to provide safe, elevated access to the tops of tanker trucks and trailers during loading and unloading operations. These platforms typically consist of a sturdy steel or aluminum structure with integrated stairs, handrails, and safety features that allow workers to safely reach truck hatches, connection points, and inspection areas. By utilizing these systems, workers are protected from the significant safety risks of vehicle-mounted ladders.
Common Industrial Uses for Truck Loading Platforms
In today’s industrial world, tanker trucks are used to transport a wide variety of items. Here are some common industries that use tanker truck loading platforms daily.
Chemicals and Refined Fuels
As Alberta’s leading sector, oil and gas facilities rely on loading platforms to safely load and unload the hazardous materials they deal with on a daily basis.
Uses: In addition to basic access, operators will use a truck loading rack to connect loading arms, vent overfills, and monitor transfer operations.
Special Considerations: When dealing with harsh chemicals, pay close attention to the materials of your loading system. Opt for a strong and corrosion-resistant material like stainless steel.
Food and Beverage Operations
Food and beverage facilities across Canada require truck loading platforms that meet the highest sanitary standards while maintaining worker safety during liquid ingredient transfers.
Uses: Typically, workers in the food and beverage industry use loading platforms to inspect hatch seals for contamination prevention, connect food-grade hoses and loading arms, collect quality control samples, and monitor transfer operations of milk, juices, cooking oils, and liquid sweeteners.
Special Considerations: Food-grade materials and seals are a must for food and beverage operations. Northern Platforms has extensive experience building systems that meet or exceed the stringent sanitary regulations in this industry.
Bulk Water Stations
Remote locations and Northern communities depend on water filling trucks to access clean drinking water. However, without adequate fall protection, operators face a large risk of catastrophic injury.
Uses: Operators use these platforms to safely access the tops of water tanker trucks and provide potable water to local residents.
Special Considerations: Many Northern Canadian communities rely on truck fill stations. However, these areas also deal with harsh temperatures which demand systems that function up to -40°C. With over two decades of experience working with cold temperatures, Northern Platforms regularly builds systems that are built for the climate.
A platform to provide a solid foundation and stable work surface for workers.
Gangways are used to connect the main platform to the vehicle and protect operators from falling. Northern Platforms stocks three different gangway options which are suitable for a variety of applications. We recommend adding a safety cage to end of your gangway for complete protection.
Finally, pair your platform with a loading arm for smooth loading and unloading operations. These systems are sturdier and safer than hoses and can significantly increase the efficiency of your operation.
How Northern Platforms Can Help
With over 20 years of experience designing, building, and installing custom truck loading platforms, Northern Platforms is your trusted partner for all things fall protection. We have experience building tanker truck loading platforms for a variety of industries, including oil and gas operations, food and beverage facilities, municipal water filling stations, and more. Here’s how our process works:
On-site Consultation: Our convenient Central Alberta location means that we can be on your site within a couple of hours. Once we arrive, we’ll conduct a thorough evaluation to understand your operational requirements, safety challenges, and more.
Truck Loading Platform Design: Next, we’ll draw on decades of collective experience to design a tanker truck loading system that integrates seamlessly into your site. Our designs consider everything from material compatibility to local safety regulations. We’ll also provide a cost estimate at this stage.
Turnkey Installation: Avoid the headache of working with multiple contractors—Northern Platforms can take care of it all. With our turnkey installation services, we’ll ensure that your platform, gangway, and loading arm work together.
Request a Quote Today!
Ready to upgrade your truck loading platform? Call Northern Platforms today! Let’s work together to make your site safer and more efficient.
Overflow spills, static fires…these are just some of the risks of unsafe fuel tanker loading systems. But did you know that you can easily prevent these dangers by investing in the proper equipment? In this guide, we’ll explore practical solutions to common fuel tanker loading mistakes. With a couple of simple products from Northern Platforms, your oil and gas operation will be safer and more efficient.
1. Overflow Spills
Depending on the scope, oil and gas spills can range from inconvenient to catastrophic. Even when operators are careful, a loading arm or hose can be accidentally dislodged, causing environmental damage and worker harm in seconds.
The Solution: Dry Disconnects
OPW’s dry disconnect couplings eliminate residual product spills by automatically sealing both sides of the connection. By using one simple solution, operators don’t have to worry about shutting valves or dealing with unions. Instead, you can ensure complete spill protection by upgrading to these couplings on all your loading arms.
2. Static Ignition Fires
Operators must be careful of static buildup when loading a fuel tanker, which can cause dangerous fires. One of the main ways static builds up is through turbulence and agitation inside the fuel tank during loading, especially when using traditional top-loading methods. These systems often cause splashing and sloshing, quickly increasing the amount of static electricity generated.
The Solution: Bottom Loading Arms
The best way to minimize liquid agitation and turbulence is to use bottom-loading arms. These fuel tanker loading systems are closer to the ground and help introduce fuel into the tank with minimal agitation.
3. Falls From Height
Falls are a leading cause of injury at loading sites, especially when workers need to access the tops of trucks or railcars for venting, inspection, or loading. Most Canadian regulations require fall protection for anyone working at heights of 4 meters or more or where a fall could cause serious injury. Icy surfaces, unstable work platforms, and other unsafe operations can turn routine loading tasks into serious fall hazards, leading to costly injuries and downtime.
The Solution: Fall Protection Systems
Safety swing gates, guardrails, gangways, and safety cages are all easy fall protection solutions that protect your workers from falling hazards. These passive fall protection systems are always in place, meaning your workers will always be protected even when distracted or busy. Plus, when you design a system with Northern Platforms, we’ll seamlessly integrate these fall protection products into your loading operations, minimizing disruption.
4. Equipment Failure Leaks
Does your site rely on hoses for loading and unloading your fuel tankers? While these systems have been trusted for many years, they have some significant drawbacks. Hoses can twist, break down, and leak over time, significantly slowing your operations. In the worst-case scenario, you might be on the hook for costly clean-ups or equipment replacements.
The Solution: Loading Arms
Are you tired of lugging hoses around your site? It might be time to invest in a loading arm. With high-quality fabrication and top-notch engineering, loading arms ensure a tight and safe connection throughout the transfer cycle. Available in truck, rail, and specialty configurations–with options for vapor recovery–these arms deliver leak-proof performance, simplify maintenance, and protect both workers and the environment.
Choose Northern Platforms for Comprehensive Fuel Tanker Loading Systems
While mistakes happen, there are still easy ways to prevent common fuel loading accidents. With a couple of products from Northern Platforms, you can take a proactive approach to protecting against fuel spills, static fires, and more. Ready to upgrade your safety protocols? Contact the Northern Platforms team today! With just one site assessment, our experts will analyze your workflow, recommend solutions, and improve your site. Partner with our team by calling us today!
Did you know that falls from flatbed trailers are among the most common–and preventable–workplace injuries? Even though most flatbeds are only about 5 feet high, workers often end up 8 feet or more above the ground when climbing on loads to secure or tarp them. Falling from this height can lead to significant injury, so safety regulations require proper fall protection for these jobs. Looking for the right truck loading fall protection for your operation? You can keep your team safe and speed up your loading process with the right choice. Let’s discuss what you should consider when choosing a flatbed fall protection system–and how Northern Platforms can help.
3 Things to Consider When Selecting a Fall Protection System
1. What Types of Trucks Are You Dealing With?
There are several types of flatbed trailers, and your fall protection system should adapt to your needs. At Northern Platforms, we design custom solutions for:
Regular Flatbeds: The most common trailer type, ideal for standard cargo like steel beams and machinery.
Lowboys: Lowered decks make these trailers ideal for oversized loads, like excavators or other construction equipment. Lowboys require adjustable guardrails to match height changes.
Step Deck: Two-level trailers designed to carry tall cargo. Like lowboys, fall protection for these trailers needs dual-layer railings or mobile platforms.
If your site handles multiple trailer types, our experienced team can engineer a versatile and adaptable solution that includes components to fit every truck.
2. What Kind of Work Are You/Your Operators Doing?
When choosing the right truck loading fall protection, consider the tasks your workers routinely perform. This will help determine the best fall protection approach.
For example, are they strapping and securing loads? Manually performing this work has a high chance of a fall, especially with unstable cargo like pipes or lumber. Our expert team recommends RollaStep’s MP Mobile Platforms for this type of work. These platforms provide a stable elevated work surface with safety guardrails, which helps workers secure loads without climbing on top of the flatbed trailer while loading.On the other hand, if your workers are manually tarping loads, consider the SafeRack TF Tarping System, which allows a single operator to tarp a full flatbed in only 15 minutes. Thanks to this innovative technology, workers are completely safe from falling risks, since they no longer need to climb on top of the trailer to complete their jobs.
3. What are the OH&S requirements of your jurisdiction?
In Canada, fall protection laws vary by province. However, most jurisdictions require fall protection for any worker working “at height,” defined as working 6ft or above. Even though flatbeds are generally only 5 feet tall, tarping or securing loads often puts workers 8 feet or above, which is above legal limits. Non-compliance can lead to fines, lawsuits, or work stoppages. At Northern Platforms, we guarantee 100% compliance by designing systems that exceed Alberta OH&S standards.
Flatbed Fall Protection Systems Available Now At Northern Platforms
At Northern Platforms, we offer two industry-leading solutions to help keep your team safe while loading and unloading trucks:
RollaStep MP Mobile Platforms
Stability: Heavy-duty steel frame with anti-slip treads.
Mobility: 360° swivel casters for easy repositioning.
Versatility: Adjustable height (5–8 feet) to match lowboys, step decks, and regular flatbeds.
SafeRack TF Tarping System
Speed: 15-minute tarping reduces labour costs and delays.
ROI: Cuts liability risks and increases operational efficiency.
Contact Us Today!
With over 20 years of truck fall protection systems expertise, Northern Platforms provides cutting-edge solutions that help protect your workers and streamline your operations. Whether you need mobile platforms for load securing or automated tarping systems, we’ll deliver a custom, compliant solution. Ready to get started? Contact us today for a free site assessment and quote! Call us at 780-986-8825.
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!
Whether your trucks need loading, inspection, or venting, a reliable truck-loading platform will make the process easier and safer. As Canada’s leading distributor of Saferack equipment, Northern Platforms can help you get the products you need for a safe and efficient loading operation. We distribute only the safest, most durable products—these are non-negotiable for industries handling hazardous and potentially hazardous materials.
If you’re looking to add a reliable truck loading platform to your assets, read more below about how we can help you find the best product.
The Benefits of Saferack Products
Our team is happy to be a trusted distributor of Saferack products. With a 500 lb load capacity, solid tires, configuration capabilities, and a double-locking winch, the Saferack truck loading platform offers long-term safety you can rely on. The flawless design of this platform allows it to be easily adjustable and safely moved. It comes in two configurations: parallel and perpendicular. A perpendicular setup allows spotters to more easily spot tank trucks, while a parallel setup allows you to move the platform more easily in tight spaces. Saferack makes replacement parts for their products, ensuring that your investment in truck loading platforms goes further. As a trusted brand in truck loading operations, Saferack gives you better value for your money, all from a knowledgeable distributor.
Why Use Northern Platforms as Your Distributor?
Sometimes, you need things in a pinch. If your safety equipment breaks or goes missing, you need to be able to get access to new products quickly so as not to disrupt operations. Not obtaining new equipment can lead to unsafe practices or stalled operations, both of which can end up costing the business. That’s why we always do everything in our power to ensure you get the things you need, when you need them.
We work with many industries, including oil and gas, marine, rail, agriculture, and pulp and paper. The truck loading platforms we bring you are compatible with loading operations for cement, sand, sulphur, mining, biodiesel, and more. Our staff are aware of the complications that can arise with the range of materials often being transported and will ask you questions to help us help you find the right solution. Depending on the trucks you need to access and for what reason, our recommendations will change. Whatever the nature of the need, our supply of Saferack products means you can get the truck loading platforms you trust, today.
Turnkey Products from Trustworthy Experts
Let one of our dedicated staff come to you onsite to ensure we get an accurate and timely assessment of your needs. We will question you about your problems and find you a solution based on the provided information and what we see. With fast turnaround times, Northern Platforms is the top distributor of safe loading solutions in Canada.
Let Northern Platforms be your source for comprehensive truck loading platform equipment. Contact our team today to start a conversation regarding your operations, and we will reach out as soon as possible.
Now that warmer weather has begun, the cement and asphalt industries are about to kick into gear for peak construction season. One way you can ensure the efficiency and safety of your cement and asphalt truck loading operations is by investing in a quality truck fall protection system from Northern Platforms.
Next, we will outline some of the critical components of these systems and two products from SafeRack that were designed explicitly for the cement industry. Keep reading to find out more!
What Makes for a Solid Truck Fall Protection System?
At Northern Platforms, high-quality, safe access solutions are key to our commitment to providing our customers with the truck fall protection systems they need. From designing custom solutions to installing ready-made options, we have the expertise to ensure your operations are safe and efficient. When it comes specifically to truck fall protection systems, some key components you’ll need include:
Loading Arms
Safety Cages
Operator Gangways
Loading Platforms
Safety Gates
And Spill Protection
Depending on the material you’re loading and unloading and the scope of your operations, additional components such as operator buildings and safety showers may also be required. However, with decades of experience under our belts, Northern Platforms has the expertise to ensure your truck fall protection is solid. Our expert team can help reduce the risk of worksite incidents and productivity losses due to downtime by ensuring the safety and consistency of your truck-loading operations. That way, your operations can continue smoothly without interruption, regardless of your industry.
Specialized Solutions for Cement & Asphalt Loading
Loading and unloading cement, dry bulk powder, dry ash, and asphalt present some fairly unique challenges for your fall protection systems. For instance, the high cycle rates, multiple hatches, oversized and multi-truck configurations, loading from a height, and nonstandard hatch opening orientations will impact which fall protection system components will best suit your needs.
At Northern Platforms, two essential SafeRack products—the SAS Gangway and G4 Series Offset Cage — can help ensure the safety and efficiency of your cement and asphalt truck loading operations.
The G4 Series Offset Cage, designed specifically for the cement industry, includes innovative features like flared and tapered rungs for full motion while in use. Compatible with all SafeRack gangways and cage configurations, this heavy-duty aluminum safety cage can withstand harsh conditions, offering versatility and durability. With its patented tapered extended profile for demanding high-cycle applications, this is the perfect safety cage for any cement operation.
Similarly, the SAS (Self-Adjusting Stair) Gangway, with its extra-strong tube design and numerous range of widths and lengths, provides safe and easy access to trucks of varying sizes. This eliminates the need for multiple different-sized gangways, allowing your operations to enhance your bottom line. Its one-piece stair design also reduces the number of necessary welds, thereby lowering the risk of failures. At the same time, the self-adjusting feature ensures minimal effort and easy retrofitting for enhanced safety.
Northern Platforms’ team can explain the minute details of these truck fall protection components and how we can integrate them into your new or existing system. So, don’t hesitate to contact our team for more information.
Your Source for Fall Protection Systems and More!
Since 2002, Northern Platforms has been Canada’s trusted partner for designing, installing, and maintaining safe access solutions, loading platforms, loading arms, and more. As a family-owned and operated business, we take our commitment to safety to heart. We understand how workplace accidents can impact families, businesses, and communities, and that’s why we strive to provide the quality products companies need to reduce those risks. Whether your operations manage cement truck loading, ammonia as hydrogen railcar unloading or bulk water distribution, we have the access and loading solutions you need to keep your team safe!
Contact Northern Platforms today to learn more about our safe access solutions and to have our team design a truck fall protection system that suits your operation’s needs.
