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When You Need Truck Loading Platforms, Trust Northern Platforms’ Topnotch Solutions!

When You Need Truck Loading Platforms, Trust Northern Platforms’ Topnotch Solutions!

As the trucking loading industry continues to grow in Western Canada, more and more operations and facilities require secure and durable truck loading platforms. If your operations lack a safe truck loading system or your current one is damaged or facing difficulties maintaining performance and efficiency, now is the time to invest in a new truck loading platform.

At Northern Platforms, we are proud to be the premier SafeRack safe access solutions distributor. Our inventory of truck access platforms provides our customers with various advantages along with improvements in safety and efficiency. Next, we’ll discuss why you should choose a truck loading platform from SafeRack and how Northern Platforms can support your operations with our decades of expertise. Keep reading to learn more!

Quality Truck Loading Platforms

At Northern Platforms, we are proud to be your top Canadian distributor of SafeRack truck loading platforms. Whether your trucks have top hatches, bottom hatches, or both, Northern Platforms has the loading platforms you need to ensure your workers are safe. As an industry leader in safe access solutions, Northern Platforms has a comprehensive inventory of truck loading platform solutions to meet your facility’s needs, including one-of-a-kind applications.

Moreover, Northern Platforms’ inventory of SafeRack loading platforms is designed to withstand the wear and tear of industrial environments. Each of their platforms is engineered with heavy-gauge galvanized steel or aluminum, so you can rest assured that the truck loading platforms you invest in today will last well into the future! When you need quality truck loading platforms, trust the safe access solution experts at Northern Platforms to have the solutions you need in stock and ready to ship!

Expert Support from Industry Leaders

One of the many advantages of working with Northern Platforms for your access solution needs is that our comprehensive inventory is backed by expert customer service. For instance, say you’re unsure of what truck loading platform from SafeRack would be best suited for your facility. In that case, Northern Platforms’ team of safe access solution experts can assist you with determining the best loading platform for your operations. Our team can even visit your site, and custom configure a design drawing of our recommended access solutions. That way, you can see precisely how your truck loading platform will fit into your facility before you purchase. In addition, Northern Platforms also provides a wide range of supportive services such as preventative maintenance, installation, and more! So regardless of your safe access solution requirements, Northern Platforms has the inventory and expertise you need to ensure your facility is safe and compliant.

Your Trusted Specialists in Safe Access Solutions

As Western Canada’s premier distributor of SafeRack access solutions, Northern Platforms is proud to provide exceptional quality products and services. Since 2002, Northern Platforms has worked with industry-leading manufacturers to ensure operations have the truck loading systems they need to keep their worksites safe and efficient. Our team is dedicated to providing exceptional customer service in addition to our comprehensive inventory of safe access solutions. Contact us today to learn more about SafeRack truck loading platforms from Northern Platforms!

What Equipment Does Your Flatbed Truck Loading Fall Protection System Need?

What Equipment Does Your Flatbed Truck Loading Fall Protection System Need?

The best time to invest in a fall protection system for your truck-loading operations is before an accident occurs. Whether your facility has experienced an accident previously or you’re taking a proactive approach to fall protection, Northern Platforms is here to help. For over 20 years, Northern Platforms has been a leader in distributing safe access solutions, fall protection systems, loading arms, and more. Next, we’ll cover two pieces of equipment that can significantly improve your flatbed truck loading fall protection system. Continue reading to find out more!

Overhead Tarping Systems

One of the most common ways employees get injured is when they’re working around flatbed trucks and attempting to cover a load with a tarp. Without the proper truck loading fall protection in place, workers will often try to climb onto flatbed trailers to complete their duties. This puts them at serious risk of fall injuries. To best prevent falls in the first place, it’s critical to remove access barriers that prevent your workers from safely doing their jobs.

While an overhead tarping system may not seem like your typical truck-loading fall protection system, it’s a critical component of fall protection. An overhead tarping system from Northern Platforms provides your operations with a safer way to cover a flatbed trailer, as it eliminates the risk of climbing onto or walking on the flatbed itself. Instead, the operator would simply connect a tarp to a spreader bar suspended from an overhead track. Then by using a powered winch system and hand-held control, the operator can easily spread the tarp across the entire trailer without leaving the ground. So when considering truck loading fall protection equipment for your operations, remember to check out Northern Platforms’ overhead tarping systems.

Access Equipment

Numerous safe access solutions can provide a safer working area and efficient access for your flatbed trucks. For instance, Northern Platform’s SafeRack rolling platforms are a great option as they provide a safe walking surface beside your flatbed trailers while loading. To use these rolling platforms, your driver will back their flatbed between two platforms, which are then effortlessly moved into place against the side of the trailer. Your workers can then use the platform to reach the trailer level rather than having to climb onto the flatbed, which could be unsafe. At Northern Platforms rolling platforms and many other types of truck-loading fall protection systems are available in a wide range of sizes to meet your fall protection needs! Let our team help you determine the best access equipment and flatbed fall protection system for your operations.

Your Source for Flatbed Truck Loading Fall Protection

No matter the type of truck loading fall protection systems you choose, your drivers, operators, and other staff need to know how to use that equipment properly. So make sure that you invest in the proper training. To establish the best safe access solutions and fall protection system for your worksite, don’t hesitate to partner with the industry experts at Northern Platforms. Our team can evaluate your site and needs and determine the best-flatbed truck loading fall protection system for your operations.

Ready to learn more about implementing a truck-loading fall protection system? Contact Northern Platforms today!

3 Safety Benefits of Truck Access Platforms for the Chemical Industry

3 Safety Benefits of Truck Access Platforms for the Chemical Industry

Your chemical plant or processing facility is full of potential safety risks to your employees and your business’s bottom line. The nature of the chemical industry is that your staff interacts with many potentially hazardous chemicals daily. That means you need the proper safe access solutions to ensure your employees’ safety and your company’s efficiency. At Northern Platforms, we offer a range of truck access platforms that can be custom-fitted to your chemical plant’s needs. Below we’ll cover three benefits of investing in truck access platforms from your Canadian source for safe access solutions, Northern Platforms. Keep reading to find out more!

1) Protect Your Staff From Unnecessary Risks

Many chemical processing facilities move chemicals in and out of their facilities via tank trucks. While these tanker trucks are the most common and efficient way to transport chemicals, some significant risks are associated with loading and unloading. On these tanker trucks, their loading and unloading hatches are often located on the top of the tank. Without proper fall protection systems, your drivers and staff could easily fall from the tanker. Even with the use of a side access ladder, your employees are still at risk of slipping, falling, or potentially spilling hazardous chemical samples. Truck access platforms from Northern Platforms are the best way to ensure that accessing the tops of tanker trucks is safe and easy. Our team can help you find the right truck access platform for your facility’s unique needs and applications.

2) Protect Your Chemicals from Contamination

Truck access platforms not only protect your employees, but they protect your products as well! When you have a tank filled with valuable and hazardous chemicals, you must shield those chemicals from potential contamination. For instance, some chemicals need to be covered from something as simple as rainwater as it could contaminate or negatively react together. However, with the help of Northern Platforms, our team of safe access solution experts can craft a truck access platform solution that ensures your products stay contaminant free. With decades of experience under our belts, Northern Platforms is your trusted source for safe access solutions.

3) Better and Safer Workflow

Unsurprisingly, workplace injuries and contamination can dramatically decrease your business’s throughput. Suppose your facility lacks the proper truck access platforms and fall protection. In that case, your employees may be risking their safety every time they access the top of your tanker trucks. This could result in drivers and staff cutting corners and risking their overall well-being to get the job done faster. Implementing the right truck access platforms for your facility can improve staff safety and reduce the risk of production-halting injuries or product cross-contamination.

Invest in Safe Access Solutions at Northern Platforms

Investing in a truck access platform can be a significant upfront monetary expense; however, it confirms your commitment to safety and quality production. The long-term benefits of a truck access platform from Northern Platforms include the following:

  • Maintaining regulatory compliance.
  • Reducing the total number of accidents.
  • Creating a safer and more efficient workflow.
  • And More!

By investing in a truck access platform, you’re investing in your business’s bottom line.

Ready to learn more about Northern Platforms’ offering of truck access platforms? Contact us today!

What to Consider When Investing in a Truck Loading Fall Protection System

What to Consider When Investing in a Truck Loading Fall Protection System

Regardless of your industry, ensuring your staff is safe from fall hazards is crucial for your business. This is especially true if your facility loads and unloads trucks. However, implementing a fall protection system for truck loading can be a complex challenge, as many factors can affect what would make the best system for your facility. Fortunately, Northern Platforms is here to help! As an exclusive dealer of SafeRack truck-loading fall protection equipment, our team is well acquainted with the many factors that influence fall protection systems. Continue reading to learn more about the factors you need to consider when investing in a truck-loading fall protection system.

Prioritize Fall Protection

Proper truck loading fall protection is vital for ensuring your employees are safe. Flatbeds, box trucks, and tanker trucks all have their own access points, access challenges and fall hazards that you need to be aware of. Moreover, the same can be said for different truck loading facilities, such as truck weigh stations and multibay trailer terminals. Suppose you’re loading trucks at a terminal or point of delivery. In that case, it’s critical that you have a safe means of accessing those trucks, tankers, and trailers. A truck loading fall protection system can ensure that your drivers and staff are safe throughout the loading and unloading process. Whether you require a permanent fall protection system or a temporary one, Northern Platforms has the OSHA/OH&S-compliant fall protection solutions you need.

Design Considerations

To implement an effective fall protection system for your truck loading process, there are a few factors you need to consider. Some factors to consider include trailer styles, the volume of traffic, the layout of the loading terminal, the location of the loading dock (indoors or outside), the presence of overhead cranes and more. For instance, say your truck loading facility primarily deals with tankers and bulk solid haulers. If that’s the case, a permanent loading platform with gangways is a great option to allow your personnel to safely reach the tops of these trailers. However, every truck loading fall protection system will be unique to the facility and trucks it’s working with.

Fortunately, the team at Northern Platforms can help you find the right fall protection system for your truck-loading facility. As the exclusive Canadian distributor of SafeRack products, Northern Platforms has the truck-loading fall protection equipment you need to keep your staff safe and ensure your worksite complies with OHSA/ OH&S fall protection regulations.

Truck Loading Fall Protection Systems from Northern Platforms

At Northern Platforms, our team is proud to provide our customers with a wide range of OHSA/ OH&S and IBC-compliant truck loading fall protection equipment. From mobile rolling stairs, such as the RollaStep, to truck loading platforms, gangways and OPW loading arms, Northern Platforms is your trusted source for SafeRack truck loading fall protection. Our fall protection experts can visit your facility to determine the best truck loading fall protection system for your site and applications.

Regardless of the type of truck loading facility or industry you’re working in, Northern Platforms is here to ensure your site is safe and accessible. Contact us today to learn more about truck loading fall protection and how our team can help you find the right equipment for your facility!

Tanker Truck Fall Protection Options at Northern Platforms

Tanker Truck Fall Protection Options at Northern Platforms

The transportation industry often needs its workers to risk their health and safety by requiring them to climb on top of tanker trucks and flatbeds. While fall protection is highly recommended and even mandatory in most industries, the transportation industry is often overlooked as numerous other safety risks, and challenges demand greater attention. However, fall protection is still a critical system to have in place regardless of the industry you’re operating in.

If you’re looking to improve your tanker truck fall protection system, Northern Platforms has you covered! OHSA/OH&S-certified fall protection is available in numerous models and types. Below we’ll discuss permanent and portable tanker truck fall protection systems available at Northern Platforms. Keep reading to find out which system best suits your facility!

Permanent Fall Protection Systems

While mobile safe access and fall protection systems are increasingly popular for many work environments, permanent fall protection systems can be the more efficient and cost-effective option. This is because permanent fall protection systems only need to be installed once. When they’re finally in place, they often have a longer lifespan than other competing fall protection systems. Permanent fall protection systems for tanker trucks are essential as your employees are regularly exposed to heights. OSHA-certified systems, like truck loading platforms, are some of the most common permanent fall protection systems for the trucking and transportation sector. This is especially true for facilities where tanker trucks are regularly driven in and out of the same loading lane.

At Northern Platforms, we have a range of OHSA tanker truck fall protection systems you can permanently install at your facility. Our team of fall protection experts can visit your site and map out the ideal tanker truck fall protection system for your unique needs. That way, you get the permanent fall protection required to keep your facility operating smoothly.

Portable Solutions

Depending on your facility and tanker truck loading needs, a portable fall protection system like rolling stairs might be a better choice for your operations. Mobile tanker truck fall protection systems are typically designed for facilities with no fixed workstation or loading zone. Often this will apply to loading docks where your employees need to be able to move from tanker truck to tanker truck without interrupting their workflow. Portable access ladders or rolling stairs are an excellent option for these facilities as they do not require disassembly to be moved to their next location. Instead, your crew can roll their OHSA-certified tanker truck portable stairs wherever needed.

At Northern Platforms, we are proud to offer a comprehensive inventory of portable fall protection systems, including rolling stairs from RollaStep and more! Our safe access solution experts can assist you with selecting the best mobile fall protection equipment for your loading dock. Regardless of your facility or industry, our team is here to ensure you have the fall protection and safe access solutions you need to keep your worksite safe.

Tanker Truck Fall Protection from Northern Platforms

Since 2007, Northern Platforms has been Western Canada’s premier distributor of safe access and fall protection solutions. We are pleased to partner with numerous industry-leading manufacturers to bring our customers the high-performance safety solutions they need. In addition to our expansive inventory, we offer several turnkey solutions, including preventative maintenance support and equipment installation services. If you’d like to learn more about our tanker truck fall protection options, contact Northern Platforms today!

Comparing SafeRack’s Truck Loading Platforms: Which is Best for Your Operations?

Comparing SafeRack’s Truck Loading Platforms: Which is Best for Your Operations?

When your operations need a safe and reliable way to load trucks, railcars, and trailers, Northern Platforms is here to help! Our extensive inventory of safe access solutions and fall protection can ensure that your operations are safe for your workers and compliant with local health and safety standards. With decades of experience, Northern Platforms is here to assist you with your safe access solutions needs. Below we’ll take a closer look at two truck loading platforms from SafeRack. Keep reading to find out more!

Defining Truck Loading Platforms

Truck loading platforms, sometimes called truck loading racks or access platforms, are vital pieces of safe access equipment. In their most basic form, truck loading platforms are a platform with a ladder or staircase-like structure that enables your staff to safely and quickly reach the tops of trucks and trailers. While many operations will use scaffolding instead of truck loading platforms, that option isn’t as safe or cost-effective. At Northern Platforms, we recommend using a truck loading platform with a SafeRack SAS gangway or a SafeRack MAUI. Ensuring the safety of your employees is a top priority for your operations. The team at Northern Platforms is here to help you determine the optimal truck-loading platform for your applications.

Comparing SafeRack’s SAS and MAUI

Northern Platforms is Western Canada’s premier distributor of SafeRack equipment and products. We are proud to partner with trusted manufacturers like SafeRack to ensure that our customers can access industry-leading safe access solutions. When your operations need reliable, high-quality, safe access solutions, SafeRack’s SAS gangway and MAUI are built to perform! SafeRack is an industry leader in safety, quality, and performance. Both the SAS gangway and MAUI truck loading platforms offer unbeatable performance and add value to your operations. Below we’ll compare these two units.

About the SAS Gangway

The SAS (Self-Adjusting Star) from SafeRack is an excellent truck loading platform gangway for operations that work with trucks and trailers that vary in size. This truck loading platform is self-levelling and articulating, so the SAS can adjust to fit regardless of the truck or trailer height you’re working with. That also means you don’t have to worry about dismantling and reassembling the SAS every time you load a new truck. The SAS also has a positive lifting and lowering system (spring counterbalance) to ensure the safety of your operators and drivers while the truck loading platform is in operation. Also, the SAS gangway has a reduced number of weld points compared to other products. Hence, its operational life is significantly longer. Finally, the SAS gangway can be retrofitted to be a perfect replacement for your old truck loading platforms. Overall the SafeRack SAS gangway brings excellent safety, performance and value to your business.

About the MAUI

In comparison, the SafeRack MAUI (mobile access unit portable platform) is created to prioritize portability and durability. The MAUI is a robust truck loading platform with a 500-pound load capacity. In addition, the MAUI is constructed from weather-resistant, heavy-duty aluminum. It features no-flat tires so that it can withstand in-house or field operations. Similarly to the SAS gangway, the MAUI has a telescoping ladder so that it can accommodate a variety of truck and trailer heights from 10′ to 14′. If you’re looking for a rugged truck loading platform that can stand up to tough jobs, the SafeRack MAUI is your best choice!

Your Source for Safe Access Solutions!

Northern Platforms is proud to be a Canadian family-owned and operated business that provides a range of industries with high-quality, safe access solutions and fall protection. With decades of experience under our belts, the team at Northern Platforms can assist you in determining the best access solutions for your operations so that you can remain OSHA and OH&S compliant. In addition to our comprehensive inventory, Northern Platforms also offers turnkey installation services, maintenance support, and more! Ready to learn more about our range of truck loading platforms? Contact Northern Platforms today!