With hundreds of fatal accidents occurring in railyards every single year, proper safety equipment isn’t just a purchase–it’s a life-saving priority. With several small additions to your operation, you can ensure your workers, environment, and surrounding communities are completely protected. Keep reading for our 2025 recommendations for essential railcar safety equipment.
Why Railcar Safety Equipment is Important
Without proper equipment, railcars pose significant safety risks. For example, take a 2013 incident in Quebec. When left unsupervised overnight, a freight train began to roll. While this freight train was seemingly secured with both hand brakes and air brakes, both these systems failed. This incident resulted in several box cars and tank cars derailing, which caused crude oil spills, fires, building damage, and 47 fatal injuries to surrounding civilians.
This incident clearly underlines the importance of railcar wheel chocks, derails and other essential physical railcar safety equipment. Now, as determined by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, Canadian railways must use additional physical protections to help prevent runaway equipment.
Essential Railcar Loading Equipment
Ready to transform your operations? Here are some essential railcar safety products–all in stock at Northern Platforms today!
Railcar Wheel Chocks
Railcar wheel chocks help secure the wheels of your railcar while it is being loaded or unloaded. Metal spurs bite into the railway, offering maximum security and safety for workers. At Northern Platforms, we stock a variety of railcar wheel chocks, including:
In some emergency situations, your best option is to derail your railcar and prevent catastrophic incidents. That’s where derails come in. These devices lift the wheel’s flange off the track, effectively allowing the wheels of the car to bite into a soft surface and slide to a stop. Derails help prevent:
One car rolling into another car.
Unauthorized rolling locomotives from crashing into stationary cars.
Loose cars from rolling onto the main line.
Blue Flags
In Alberta, blue flags are mandatory. These safety signs indicate to approaching operators that railcars are being loaded or unloaded in the area and to signal that there are workers in the area. Blue flags must be placed on the railway or on a traincar that is easily visible to approaching operators.
Switch Cube Indicators
Switch cube indicators are common at switches and are often the result of human error. For example, inexperienced operators might not know to accurately read the switch points. Illuminated switch cubes are an ideal piece of equipment that helps clearly indicate which direction the track is going. Many of these cubes are equipped with solar panels, making them energy-efficient and long-lasting.
Railcar Sockets
Tank car sockets are available in both steel and bronze configurations, with hex or 8-point designs ranging from 1-5/16″ to 1-7/8″. Steel sockets handle up to 1,500 ft./lbs. of maximum torque, while bronze versions are spark-resistant and rated for 500 ft./lbs.. These tools work with T-wrenches to provide proper leverage for opening and closing dome lid nuts without damaging gaskets or threads.
Brake Sticks
An essential piece of worker equipment, brake sticks help operators work railcar brakes without the use of a ladder. Depending on your needs, there are several different types of brake sticks available, including:
Telescoping brake sticks with or without magnetic handles
Light-weight fixed-length brake sticks
Heavy-duty brake sticks
Railcar Mover
Need to move your railcar an inch for the perfect position? These units are impossible to move without locomotive power–unless you have a railcar mover. These simple pieces of equipment allow single workers to move a fully-loaded railcar small distances, allowing them to perfectly align other equipment or loading operations.
Spill Containment Pans
Accidents happen, even in perfect operating conditions. When dealing with oil, chemicals, or other hazardous cargo, spill containment track pans are an essential fail-safe to help prevent environmental damage. Our product features a modular design that can easily be modified to contain everything from small drips to catastrophic leaks.
Ready to Enhance Your Railcar Safety?
Railcar wheel chocks, sockets, movers…what piece of safety equipment will you add to your operations? No matter what you decide, the Northern Platforms team is here to help! Explore our product catalogue online or contact our sales team today! Let us help you make your railyard safer, more compliant, and more efficient in 2025.
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!
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!
Are you looking to invest in fall protection measures for your worksite but aren’t sure what solution is right for you? In this post, we’ll explain why you should trade in chains and manual swing gates for a safer, more effective fall protection solution: self-closing safety gates. Keep reading to learn more!
The Problem with Chains and Manual Swing Gates
Safety chains are commonly used to block off ladder openings or restricted areas. However, they are not OSHA or OH&Scompliant and are generally considered unsafe. Workers have to manually reattach the chain after passing through. This step is easy to forget, especially when carrying tools or moving quickly. Chains are also flimsy and can’t provide reliable fall protection. Over time, they tend to sag, rust, or even break, especially in harsh weather conditions. This makes chains a poor choice for any environment where safety matters. Another standard fall protection measure used in industrial environments is manual swing gates. While these solutions are sturdier than chains, they still depend on workers to close them every time. In busy workplaces, it’s common for gates to be left open by mistake, creating a dangerous gap in your fall protection system.
Safety Swing Gates
Self-closing safety swing gates are engineered to eliminate human error while providing robust physical barriers in high-risk areas. Unlike chains or manual gates, which rely on workers to secure them, these gates use spring-loaded mechanisms to automatically close after someone passes through. Drastically improve the safety of your site by installing YellowGate’s safety swing gates today.
Key Advantages Over Alternatives
Automatic Safety: YellowGate’s gates close on their own, removing the risk of workers forgetting to secure a chain or manual gate. This is critical when employees are dealing with tools, tight timelines, or other demands.
One Gate Fits All: A single SKU can adjust from 24″ to 36″ (61–94 cm), fitting nearly any opening in your warehouse. The swing direction and mounting orientation are flexible, making installation simple on stairs, ladders, and more.
Regulatory Compliance: While chains and manual gates often violate regulatory standards, YellowGate’s safety swing gates comply with these regulations by having self-closing mechanisms, 42″ rail heights, and load-bearing capacity.
Durability: Constructed from powder-coated aluminum, these gates resist rust, corrosion, and extreme temperatures. Invest in a solution that lasts!
Common Uses for Safety Swing Gates
Ladder Openings: A self-closing gate prevents workers from accidentally stepping into an open ladder shaft, a common cause of falls.
Rooftops & Platforms: Gates paired with guardrails create secure barriers around rooftop fans or other HVAC units
Gangways & Mobile Platforms: Looking for a truck loading operation that is 100% and 100% efficient? Contact Northern Platforms to have YellowGate products installed on your existing loading rack.
High: Closes automatically every time, minimizing user error.
Low: Relies on users to reattach and can be left open.
Moderate: Must be closed by the user, can easily be left open.
User Error Risk
Very Low
High
Moderate
Compliance with Regulations
The self-closing design is fully compliant and meets OSHA and OH&S requirements.
Does not meet OSHA and OH&S standards for guardrail openings.
May meet standards if always closed, but user-dependent.
Durability & Longevity
Built for industrial use, withstands harsh conditions.
Chains wear, sag, or corrode quickly.
Hinges and latches can wear out over time.
Ease of Use
Easy to use, hands-free closing.
Extremely difficult to use.
Requires manual opening/closing.
Northern Platforms: Your Trusted YellowGate Supplier
Northern Platforms is the exclusive supplier of YellowGate safety solutions, providing businesses province-wide with compliant, easy-to-install fall protection systems. Choose us for:
Full Product Range: From adjustable safety gates to modular platforms and portable stairs, our Leduc warehouse has everything you need in stock today.
Regulatory Expertise: With over 20 years of experience in the safe access industry, our team knows the ins and outs of all Alberta rules and regulations. Contact us today to find out which ones affect you.
24/7 Customer Support: Need a gate for an unusual opening? Or do you have an urgent request that requires fast installation? The Northern Platforms team is ready to help! We can schedule a site visit within 24 hours, with designs and full installation completed within the week.
Beyond Gates
Northern Platforms also supplies YellowGate’s aluminum railing systems for rooftops and barrier gates to protect large openings or control access to your site. All products are designed for quick assembly and can easily be reconfigured if the needs of your worksite change.
Contact Us Today!
With self-closing safety swing gates, you protect workers, avoid fines, and build a culture of safety. Explore our YellowGate products and contact Northern Platforms to get started today!
Let’s face it: warehouses, plants, and other industrial facilities are full of hazards. Whether it’s heavy machinery, unprotected edges, or chemical exposure, the risk of worker injury lurks around every corner. Ask yourself: what are you doing to make your site safer for your workers?
The fact is that more than 40,000 Canadian workers are injured yearly from falling accidents. But what if we told you that you could help significantly reduce this number with one simple piece of equipment? It’s true–all you need is a pallet of YellowGate’s self-closing industrial safety gates from your local safe access equipment supplier. In this post, we’ll discuss the countless benefits of this product and how to use it to make your site safer and more compliant within minutes. Keep reading to learn more!
The Importance of Safety Swing Gates
Historically, worksites have relied on chains to secure openings to stairways and ladders. However, due to new OSHA regulations, there has been a shift away from this solution. Instead, employers have transitioned to more reliable and comprehensive fall protection methods, such as safety swing gates. These crucial fall protection systems help prevent falls without requiring workers to wear active fall protection, like harnesses or safety lines.
These safety solutions are superior to chains for a variety of reasons. As mentioned, OSHA no longer allows chains for fall protection on ladders and stairways, meaning you could be fined for leaving your access points unsecured. Additionally, safety swing gates significantly reduce human error by being self-closing. While chains can be easily overlooked, forgotten, or left open, YellowGate products are spring-loaded and automatically close behind you, eliminating falling hazards altogether.
One Product, Endless Applications
Ready to improve the safety of your site? With YellowGate’s universal mounting kit, you can rest assured that this product will work for every location, surface, or opening in your facility that needs a safety gate. They can be installed onto walls, square stock, angle iron, and round rails or pipes. Plus, they are adjustable and can be used on openings ranging from 24” (61cm) to 37” (94cm).
Thanks to their versatility, these protective gates are used in many industries, including oil and gas, food processing, rail, manufacturing, and more. Here are some common uses for YellowGate’s safety gates:
Ladder & stairway openings
Rooftop access points
Restricted areas
Elevated work platforms
Loading docks
Temporary work areas
Additional Benefits of YellowGate’s Swing Gates
In addition to protecting your workers, YellowGate products are the best safety swing gates on the market thanks to several unique and high-quality features, including:
Stainless steel mounting hardware
Lightweight & rust-proof aluminum construction
Proprietary hidden springs
Universal mounting, both perpendicular and parallel
Adjustable swing direction
Preassembled construction for fast installation
How to Install YellowGate’s Self-Closing Safety Swing Gates
With YellowGate’s newest model, adding adjustable swing gates to your operation has never been easier. Here’s how to install a safety swing gate in three simple steps:
Step 1
Decide whether you need the parallel or perpendicular orientation. If parallel, skip to step 2. If perpendicular, simply remove the parallel mount spring and replace it with the provided perpendicular mount spring.
Step 2
Next, attach your gate using one of the three bolt anchors provided with your product.
Step 3
Finally, adjust your self-closing gate to the proper size. Tighten the clamps.
Northern Platforms: Your Source for Safe Access Solutions
Are you ready to make your industrial facility or plant safer? Contact the Northern Platforms team today! We have pallets of self-closing swing gates in stock now and ready to ship from our warehouse in Leduc. Plus, our inventory includes hundreds of other safe access solutions from trusted suppliers like ErectaStep, SafeRack, RollaStep, and more. Explore our inventory and get ready to level up your worksite.
Preventing falls and accidents is crucial for worksite safety. The easiest way to do this is through safety swing gates. These simple but highly effective safety solutions help protect workers from potentially life-threatening injuries and ensure your facility or plant complies with any safety regulations.
Are you interested in adding safety swing gates to your site? Keep reading to learn more about this product and how Northern Platforms can make your workplace safer, more secure, and more efficient.
What are Safety Swing Gates?
Safety swing gates or self-closing gates are worksite safety devices designed to restrict access to dangerous areas and prevent falls. They are usually installed at ladder and handrail openings. Safety swing gates must be opened manually and are designed to close automatically, which helps reduce the likelihood of human error.
Recent technological advancements have introduced preassembled safety swing gates. For example, YellowGate’s latest product can be added to your site in seconds—no special tools are required.
Updates to Safety Standards Make Safety Swing Gates Mandatory
On many job sites, ladder and handrail openings are left unsecured or blocked by chains that workers must manually fasten. However, recent updates to several safety regulations and standards have banned these practices.
Now, it is expected to require ladder and handrail openings to be secured with safety swing gates or an offset system. This change helps ensure worker safety by using stronger and more reliable barriers. Employers must implement these safety measures immediately. It is recommended to assess and update your safety systems as soon as possible in order to stay compliant and prevent accidents.
Features of YellowGate Safety Swing Gates
YellowGate industrial safety swing gates have several features that make them easy to add to your worksite.
Simple installation
Adding safety swing gates to your workplace only takes minutes, thanks to YellowGate’s pre-assembled design. This user-friendly design ensures that workers can install gates with few tools and no specialized training, meaning you can enhance workplace safety without unnecessary delays and lengthy installation periods.
Adjustable swing direction
One of the standout features of Northern Platforms’ YellowGate models is their adjustable swing direction. This flexibility allows the gates to be configured to swing both inwards and outwards, depending on your specific site needs. Due to this adaptability, these gates can integrate seamlessly into your work environment.
Versatile mounting
YellowGate safety swing gates are versatile enough to accommodate all openings between 24 and 36 inches. Plus, this range can be easily adjusted on-site with only a wrench, eliminating the need for field cutting or drilling. This adaptability ensures a perfect fit for diverse settings while maintaining compliance with OSHA regulations.
Built to last
Safety swing gates, particularly those used in industrial environments, must be durable and sustainable in order to withstand heavy use and contribute to responsible practices. Manufactured from heavy-gauge aluminum, these gates help ensure long-term safety with minimal maintenance.
Industrial safety gates are an often overlooked safe access solution. However, they are a crucial piece of safety equipment that can protect your workers and ensure OSHA compliance. At Northern Platforms, we carry a large inventory of YellowGate self-closing swing gates, perfect for a wide range of facilities and plants. Keep reading to learn more about these safety gates!
Meet the YellowGate Self-Closing Swing Gate
At Northern Platforms, we carry a variety of safe access solutions that aren’t your typical safety equipment. For instance, our offering of Yellowgate self-closing swing gates is, in fact, a crucial safe access solution as it satisfies 1910.23 Guarding Floor & Wall Openings & Holes OSHA requirements. However, many plant managers and facility owners may not realize this, leaving their crew members at a higher risk of a fall injury.
The YellowGate self-closing swing gate is one of the most flexible gate products on the market. This gate can cover openings between 16” and 36” and is field adjustable with a simple wrench. The flexibility this self-closing swing gate offers not only keeps your facility safe and compliant but also can save you time and money. More on that later.
Here are some of the outstanding features of the YellowGate self-closing swing gate:
Stainless-Steel Mounting Hardware
Lightweight Aluminum Construction
Rust-Proof
Powder-Coated Safety Yellow
No Exposed Springs
Universal Mount for Easy Installation
Includes Stainless-Steel Mounting Kit and Tension Adjustment Tool
Versatile Mounting for All Applications
As hinted, the YellowGate self-closing swing gate can save you time and money. How? Well, since no facility or worksite is identical, you’ll need several safety gates across various locations and attached to many different surfaces. Since this self-closing swing gate comes with a universal mounting kit, it can be installed onto walls, square and round tubing, and angle iron in parallel and perpendicular positions. No welding, cutting, or drilling is required, so installation only takes a matter of minutes and a few hand tools. With this versatility, you can repeatedly use the YellowGate self-closing swing gate across many applications, saving you time and money.
Adjustable Swing Direction for Ease of Use
Compared to other self-closing swing gates available, Northern Platforms’ YellowGate swing gates are unlike the competition. These gates are designed to be as easy to adjust as possible. Say, for instance, you need to change the swing direction. With the YellowGate self-closing swing gate, doing so is as simple as changing the position of one bolt.
Additionally, the YellowGate safety swing gate can be opened to a maximum angle of 108° in either direction. This flexibility and ease of use means you are not limited in where or how you use this gate. At Northern Platforms, we keep a large inventory of the YellowGate self-closing swing gates. If you’d like a bulk order or need a new gate as soon as possible, we have you covered!
Expert Support with Turnkey Installation and Maintenance Services
Aside from our comprehensive inventory of safe access solutions from trusted manufacturers like ErectaStep, YellowGate, SafeRack, and RollaStep, we also offer turnkey installation and maintenance services.
When it comes to our installation services, our team will come to your site to discuss your specific needs and projects. Then, we will use our decades of experience to match the right set of equipment to your application. From conceptual layouts and scope development to quotes, project execution and installation, Northern Platforms is here to help you every step of the way.
On the other hand, our maintenance services are available semi-annually or yearly. The Northern Platforms team will even work with you to develop a custom maintenance schedule and plan to ensure the operational functionality of your equipment. Our team can perform complete preventative maintenance services on all the equipment we supply.
With detailed work reports included, Northern Platforms is your source for expert turnkey services.
Your End-to-End Partner
Are you ready to add a YellowGate self-closing swing gate to your facility or plant? Then don’t wait! At Northern Platforms, we have plenty of inventory in stock and ready to ship. Contact us today to place your order and make your workplace even safer this year.
