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Custom Access Solutions: Northern Platforms’ Modular Work Platforms

Custom Access Solutions: Northern Platforms’ Modular Work Platforms

At Northern Platforms, we understand that finding the right work platform for your facility or worksite can be challenging, as finding the right one-size-fits-all solution isn’t always easy or doable. Fortunately, we have a solution for tricky facilities or locations: our ErectaStep modular work platforms. Next, we will tell you more about this versatile platform and how our team can ensure you get the correct configuration for your operational needs. Keep reading to find out more! 


Meet ErectaStep’s Innovative Modular Work Platforms

For over 20 years, Northern Platforms has been an industry leader in critical safe access solutions and loading equipment. One of our most versatile and popular products is Erectastep’s modular work platforms. These lightweight, aluminum work platforms can be adapted for nearly any application and facility. With its modular design, reusability, and simple installation process, our offering of ErectaStep modular work platforms can take your operations to the next level. 


Let’s dig into this modular work platform further: 



Versatile Modular Design and Components

Using only five components: prefabricated metal stairs, industrial handrails, metal work platforms, aluminum ladders and tower support, Northern Platforms’ ErectaStep modular work platform is a versatile yet sturdy access solution. This work platform is OSHA-compliant, precision manufactured, and fully engineered with quality materials. It also does not require any fabrication and can be configured into metal stairs, crossover stairs and many other designs to aid in movement over dike walls, pipes, equipment and more. So whether your facility needs a single 3’x3′ platform, a 3’x12′ walkway, a 9’x9′ work zone, or some other configuration, Northern Platforms’ inventory of ErectaStep modular work platforms has you covered! 


Next are some features of our ErectaStep modular work platforms: 

  • Universal design on all four sides of the platform for application adaptability
  • Aggressive self-draining tread
  • No welding, special tools or crane is required for assembly
  • OHSA-compliant
  • The lightweight yet durable design makes installation easy
  • Available in aluminum, galvanized, 304 stainless, and steel
  • Compatible with YellowGate safety swing gates


Effortless Assembly Made Even Easier

If you’re considering installing an ErectaStep modular work platform into your facility, the Northern Platforms team is here to help! Our highly experienced and trained team will visit your site to identify goals and potential challenges with your facility; that way, we can ensure the job gets done right. We utilize a state-of-the-art custom configuration tool to virtually build your modular work platform, view accurate quotes, and see detailed design drawings in minutes. This lets you see exactly what your new modular work platform will look like once installed. 


Northern Platforms’ team can even help you with the installation process! With our turnkey installation services, our team will take charge of the assembly process, ensuring that your equipment is installed safely and on time. This means you can focus on other aspects of your operations while Northern Platforms gets our hands dirty for you. Whether you need support installing your new ErectaStep modular work platform, OPW loading arms, or a railcar loading platform, our team is here to help! 


Your End-To-End Partner

Since 2002, Northern Platforms has been your trusted source for SafeRack, OPW, ErectaStep, and many other quality access solutions from leading manufacturers. When you need a custom access solution for your facility or worksite, Northern Platforms in Leduc has you covered!


Contact us today to learn more about our ErectaStep modular work platforms or to find out more about our turnkey installation services! 

How Safety Swing Gates Enhance Safety in Manufacturing Facilities

How Safety Swing Gates Enhance Safety in Manufacturing Facilities

In addition to the standard outfitting of a warehouse or manufacturing facility, there are many upgrades and extras that can be installed. Some provide better access, others maximize usable space, and some are essential for additional safety. One such integral upgrade is custom swing safety gates from Northern Platforms. Next, we will review some benefits and applications of safety swing gates from Northern Platforms. Keep reading to find out more.

Benefits of Safety Swing Gates

Safety swing gates provide passive fall protection for personnel working at heights, reducing the risk of injury or worse outcomes. This upgrade is commonly installed to supplement the safety of conveyor crossover stairs, working platforms, crossover platforms, factory crossover stairs, rolling stairs, loading platforms and more. Below we will cover some of the manufacturing settings safety swing gates can be used in and the key ways they enhance the work area while keeping your staff safe.

Reduced Risk in Busy or Elevated Locations

Whether in a warehouse or another workspace, there will always be areas that pose a higher risk of slips and falls. These areas include rooftops, catwalks, ladder tops, and elevated platforms. By having a custom safety swing gate from Northern Platforms in those places, you can reduce the risk of slips and falls significantly and simply. Not to mention, by doing so, you also make your employees safer, more comfortable and, therefore, more efficient.

Enhanced Foot Traffic Safety Around Machinery

Mostly but not only applicable to manufacturing facilities, safety swing gates are also essential for separating foot traffic from moving machinery. In addition, safety swing gates are needed whenever factory crossover stairs are installed. So regardless if your application is for bypassing manufacturing machinery or other obstacles, Northern Platforms’ safety swing gates from YellowGate provide enhanced safety and security.

Improved Ladder and Elevator Access and Protection

Your employees climbing a ladder or using an elevator to access equipment or other items poses a safety hazard. However, with the proper precautionary measures, you can mitigate that hazard. In the case of an elevator, safety swing gates can prevent workers from stepping into the shaft of the unit and prevent items within the elevator from falling over while in use. In the case of a ladder, a safety swing gate from Northern Platforms prevents workers from accidentally walking directly into the opening of the ladder. In both cases, our YellowGate swing gates protect your employees from fall accidents.

Increased Security and Access Restriction

In addition to being a valuable safety feature, safety swing gates can serve as barriers to restricted areas, thus protecting your equipment and wares from access by unauthorized personnel or visitors. In summary, Northern Platforms’ safety swing gates have various uses and are a valuable and often essential addition to any manufacturing facility.

YellowGate Safety Swing Gates from Northern Platforms

Northern Platforms is proud to partner with customers in the rail, trucking and transport, marine, oil & gas, forestry and related heavy industries to ensure they have access to the safety equipment that makes achieving their daily operations as safe and efficient as possible. Our first priority is, and always will be, supplying you with quality, safe access solutions and services you can count on when it matters most. From products from top brands like YellowGate, ErectaStep, RollaStep and more to turnkey services and preventative maintenance, Northern Platforms has your site safety needs covered. Contact us today to learn more!

Are Industrial Safety Gates Necessary for Your Operations?

Are Industrial Safety Gates Necessary for Your Operations?

There are many misconceptions regarding the necessity of industrial safety gates. Luckily, our team of safe access solution experts at Northern Platforms is here to help clear things up! Industrial safety gates are an underutilized piece of safety equipment that many businesses and facilities should invest in. There are several reasons why a worksite may not use industrial safety gates; however, at Northern Platforms, our team makes it easy to invest in these critical pieces of equipment. Below we’ll tell you about industrial safety gates, why they are necessary, and Northern Platform’s inventory of YellowGate industrial safety gates. Continue reading to learn more!

What is an Industrial Safety Gate?

Industrial safety gates are standard pieces of safety equipment used in numerous facilities across multiple industries. However, industrial safety gates are frequently overlooked. This often occurs because businesses and operations are unaware of these products, unsure how to use them in their facilities, or unprepared to invest in these safe access solutions. No matter the reason, industrial safety gates are essential for ensuring your facility is safe for your employees. Overall industrial safety gates are critical safe access solutions that prevent falls from ladder openings, loading docks, elevated walkways and more.

Are Industrial Safety Gates Necessary?

According to OHSA and OH&S regulations, industrial safety gates are required only in specific situations. For instance, your facility requires industrial safety gates around elevated walkways and with guardrail systems. Moreover, industrial safety gates are a great and necessary addition to any fall protection system. However, if you’re looking for Northern Platforms‘ expert advice on the matter, our answer is simple, yes! Why? Well, a physical barrier like an industrial safety gate will always be a better option than relying on human diligence. People make mistakes, get tired and forget, or become distracted, and that’s when job site accidents are most likely to occur. By utilizing a self-closing industrial safety gate from Northern Platforms, you can rest assured that your staff will be safe while on the job.

Industrial Safety Gates from Northern Platforms

At Northern Platforms, we are your Canadian source for YellowGate industrial safety gates. YellowGate manufactures lightweight, self-closing industrial safety gates that are incredibly versatile for nearly every facility application. These gates can be adjusted in swing direction and length. Moreover, they feature a universal mounting system, so you can use YellowGate industrial safety gates almost anywhere! In addition, setting up and dismantling these industrial safety gates is as simple as removing a few bolts. So when your facility requires an industrial safety gate that is versatile and easy to use, trust Northern Platforms to have YelloGate industrial safety gates in stock and ready to ship!

Safe Access Solutions and More

Northern Platforms is proud to be a leading distributor of safe access solutions like industrial safety gates. In addition to our inventory of YellowGate safety gates, Northern Platforms also distributes safe access solutions from RollaStep, ErectaStep, OPW, and more! Back by a team of safe access solution experts, Northern Platforms is your source for top-quality and high-performance safe access solutions and fall protection systems.

Contact us today to learn more about our offering of YellowGate industrial safety gates or another one of our safe access solution products!

Do I Need a Self-Closing Safety Swing Gate?

Do I Need a Self-Closing Safety Swing Gate?

Understanding whether or not your facility requires a self-closing safety swing gate can be challenging to determine. However, Northern Platforms is here to help! Our team of safe access solution experts understands how complicated safety standard regulations can be. Still, we have the experience and knowledge to ensure your facility complies with OHSA/ OH&S standards. Next, we’ll get into self-closing safety swing gates from YellowGate, and how to determine if your site needs one. Continue reading to find out more!

What is a Swing Gate?

Self-closing safety swing gates have been around for a long time; however, many facilities aren’t using them. The reason for this? It can be a combination of factors such as lack of planning, product knowledge, availability, cost, and more. Whatever the reason, not having self-closing safety swing gates in your facilities leaves your workers unprotected.

Self-closing safety swing gates are a vital piece of safe access equipment that help prevent falls from mezzanines, elevated walkways, ladder openings, stair openings, loading docks, and other areas. These gates are self-closing, which aids in ensuring entrances and exits are blocked off when not in use, and you can use them to help control traffic at ground level. It’s worth noting that self-closing safety swing gates are required to comply with OSHA/ OH&S regulations, but more on that below.

What are the Safety Standards?

So what do the OSHA/ OH&S regulations say about self-closing safety swing gates? Well, it’s important to remember that these regulations are typically a little vague in their wording to be applicable across numerous industries. Essentially OHSA / OH&S states that in specific situations, such as around elevated walkways or in conjunction with guardrail systems, worksites should use safety swing gates as a part of their fall protection systems. From a best practices perspective, a physical barrier is always better than relying on human diligence because people make mistakes, get tired, and get distracted, and that’s when accidents happen.

So should your facility utilize self-closing safety swing gates? At Northern Platforms, the answer is simple, YES!

Your Source for Self-Closing Safety Swing Gates

At Northern Platforms, we are proud to partner with YellowGate to provide our customers with the equipment they need to maintain a safe working environment. YellowGate self-closing safety swing gates are versatile as they can be adjusted in length and swing direction, and they feature a universal mounting system. These safety swing gates are constructed from lightweight aluminum. They are powder-coated safety yellow for better visibility and rust-proofing. With setup and takedown as simple as removing a couple of bolts, YellowGate’s self-closing safety swing gates are a simple way to ensure your employees’ safety and to be compliant with OHSA/ OH&S standards. Overall self-closing safety swing gates from YellowGate are an excellent safe access solution.

Safe Access Solutions at Northern Platforms

At Northern Platforms, our team is proud to be Western Canada’s top choice for fall protection and safe access solutions. We have a large inventory of safe access solutions like self-closing safety swing gates for almost every industry and application. Our team can assist you in determining the best solution for your facility! Ready to learn more about our offering of YellowGate self-closing safety swing gates? Contact Northern Platforms today!