The Sam Carbis Solutions Group Safety Blog

Investing in dependable loading arms is worth it if you're serious about your company's safety and reputation. Loading arms are flexible thanks to their swivel joints, but before making your purchase, there are additional things to think about. If you're moving from or to a truck- or rail-transported tank, the first will rely on that. The second consideration is whether you are loading through the top or bottom of the tank. Each arm solution has unique qualities, and some, like as arm systems for loading trucks, need to operate with more accuracy in order to be effective. Some important factors to consider while selecting your loading arm solution are: Loading from the Bottom or the Top The operator's safety is better guaranteed while using a bottom loading arm because they stay on the ground. Quicker couplings result in shorter loading times overall, and the tank experiences less turbulence. Longer arm reach and the ability to reach more apertures are made possib...

Transloading is the term used for the process that takes place when a shipment must be transferred from one mode of transportation to another. Transloading is often used in the oil industry because the pipelines to the refineries are in the south so if the well head is somewhere else in the country, the oil has to travel there. Transloading takes place when one type of transportation can’t make the entire journey or it may be more cost effective to transfer the shipment from one mode to another. Usually product (in this scenario it’s crude oil) is transloaded from tank trucks into about 120 connected railcars. Using railcars to carry product may sound old fashioned but it’s still the most consistently effective way to transport lots of products including crude oil. A tank truck terminal transloading to railcars will have a rail spur off the main train track. This way, the railcars can pull in and be loaded. Once loading is complete the cars continue back to the main railway for the jo...

Chemical manufacturing plants are full of potential threats to the safety of your employees. Every day, your workers are exposed to hazardous chemicals, which may lead to serious injuries or death. Finding ways to reduce the risk of accidents and implementing fall prevention strategies are critical to workplace safety. To do this, it’s essential to understand the types of injuries that occur in chemical plants and, most importantly, why they occur. Common Injuries At Chemical Manufacturing Plants Chemicals are toxic and highly flammable, making chemical manufacturing plants extremely dangerous. Common injuries that occur at chemical plants include: Chemical burns Slips, trips and falls Overexertion Cuts and scrapes Chemical exposure Inhalation of chemicals Causes Of Accidents In Chemical Plants Even when precautions are taken to reduce the risk of accidents in chemical manufacturing plants, they still occur from time to time. Knowing how and why accidents occur helps you take ad...

 To keep your products and people moving efficiently, you need the right loading equipment for the job. While hoses are popular for loading and unloading liquids, they pose serious safety risks to your workers. When moving liquids in and out of rail cars, a safer rail safety solution is to use a loading arm .  In some instances, hoses are necessary for moving liquids. However, many facilities rely on hoses in circumstances where a loading arm would provide greater production efficiency while also benefiting workplace safety. Here are five ways loading arms improve safety and efficiency at your rail site: 1. Loading Arms Are Better For Fall Prevention Hoses lying around present a safety hazard, as workers could easily trip on them and get injured. Loading arms, when implemented in a custom manner by a qualified company, can be integrated with your facility’s existing fall prevention equipment. Additionally, loading arms are less likely to leak than hoses, which reduces the cha...

There’s more than one way to achieve a desired end result. Sometimes methods are employed because of history, budgets, purpose, preference, and/or safety. When loading and unloading tanker trucks and rail cars there’s more than one way to move product, too. Whether loading from the top or bottom, the two most popular options are hoses and loading arms. Each has its own purpose. There are three types of hoses: Vapor Recovery Hoses work best on jobs where light weight and flexibility are needed. They are appropriate for liquids including diesel, gasoline and lubricating oils. Steel Braided Hoses are used for hydraulic situations with high heat and high temperatures so they have to be extremely durable and reliable. Composite Hoses are compatible with the widest range of chemicals. They can transfer polar and non-polar liquids. These hoses also prevent sparking and arc-over hazards that can sometimes happen with metal hoses. Many times, Loading Arms are an excellent alternative to...

Bottom Loading Arm Systems are the ideal solution when it comes to fall prevention. There are plenty of other benefits as well: - Operator remains on the ground avoiding falls. - Connections can be made quickly reducing overall loading time. - Bottom loading fills tanks faster and creates less turbulence in the tank so the danger of generating static electricity is reduced. - Multiple compartments can be loaded simultaneously. - Bottom loading reduces vapors. There are different types of bottom loading arm systems to handle anything from food and water to aggressive chemicals and acids. Unsupported Boom Type Bottom Loader provides flexible long-range operation that’s reliable and easy to use. Five swivel planes of rotation create the flexibility that makes tight connections possible for loading and unloading rail cars and tank trucks. The unsupported boom type loader is quite versatile and is typically installed at or near ground level. Arms of varying lengths can be mounted on stagg...

There are several instances in which trucks will be used to carry crude oil and other fuels or fluids to a different location. Tanker trucks usually get oil from storage tanks and take it to a loading terminal to transload the fuel into railcars. Depending on the distance to the refinery or pipeline connection, the tank truck may be able to take the shipment the entire way. However, if the drive will be a long one, it is more cost effective to do things the old-fashioned way and transload the product onto railcars. Tanker trucks extract crude oil or other fluids from the storage tanks located fairly near the wellheads. Then the operator drives the truck to the nearest terminal where a rail spur allows railcars to get into the terminal, be filled, and then get back to the main railway. When the railcars arrive at their next stop it will be another terminal where the reverse actions will take place. This terminal is located near the refinery, and will be equipped for transloading from...

  Fall prevention at tanker truck loading facilities is of significant importance due to a variety of reasons. Falls are one of the leading causes of fatal and non-fatal injuries in the workplace, especially in industries involving heavy machinery and transportation such as loading facilities. Preventing such incidents should be a priority for all involved, as they can result in severe human, financial, and operational consequences. 1.      Human safety: The most apparent and critical reason is the preservation of human life and health. Falls from height, even relatively small ones, can result in serious injuries or fatalities. These injuries may involve fractures, concussions, or even long-term disability. Preventing falls is a direct way to safeguard the wellbeing of employees. 2.      Regulatory compliance: Regulations such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards in the United States require employers to...

When it comes to shipping and receiving here in the US, workplace safety is of the utmost importance.  Continually improving the safety of the workplace ensures employees can safely and efficiently operate to the best of their abilities. Not only that, it improves speed and morale as well. One of the best ways to improve safety for your employees working at loading sites is to install a Redi Rack Loading Platform System to your work space. What is the Redi Rack System? Accessing the tops of trucks and rail cars can be a dangerous job if the right safety measures  haven't been taken. Slipping and falling from any height can result in irreparable harm and even death; that's why any and all safety measures must be taken. The Redi Rack Loading Platform System, from Sam Carbis Solutions Group, is in invaluable addition to any loading and unloading site. Top Benefits of a Redi Rack Loading Platform System: Safer work environment Easy access to the tops of trucks, rail cars, and liq...