You could say that Ronald Vincze has a passion for safety.
Vincze, quality manager of Pewaukee, WI-based Precision Gears, Inc., recently evaluated his facility with a critical eye on safety. One area that needed attention was the unprotected ledges on the loading dock in the shipping and receiving area.
Precision Gears is a family-run business that operates a state-of-the-art gear manufacturing facility and is equipped with precision CNC turning, milling, broaching, and grinding machinery. Known as a job-shop manufacturer that meets its customers' specifications, it focuses on short- and long-run, high-quality precision gears, parts, and assemblies.
Vincze first consulted the OHSA website for information on unprotected edges. OSHA requires guarding for heights above 48 in., and after measuring the heights around his loading dock, he knew it was time to look into outfitting the area with better protection.
He returned to the Internet to research dock protection and protective products. His research included several videos showing Wildeck® guarding products on YouTube®. Coincidentally, Wildeck is located just a few miles from Precision Gears in Waukesha. The convenient location and extensive product offering made Wildeck the right call for Vincze.
Building Quality Relationships
Jim Hathaway, Wildeck's guarding products specialist, put Vincze in touch with local dealer Jeff Keough of Capital Equipment & Handling in Hartland, WI.
"Wildeck focuses on building quality relationships," Hathaway said. "Together, the end user and dealer outlined the application and worked toward finding the best solution. My job is to ensure Wildeck customers get the right combination of products to protect their facility."
Wildeck and Capital Equipment worked through the application and assessed Precision Gears' loading dock needs. Within 3 days, Vincze had a quote in hand with the recommendation of several Wildeck guarding products to meet his facility's safety requirements.
"I was incredibly happy with the customer service from Capital Equipment & Handling and Wildeck," he said. "I am a big believer in customer service and I could not be more impressed with the response time to get a quote for our project."
Getting It Right the First Time
Ironically, he was actively working on getting protection installed in the loading dock area when OSHA paid a surprise visit to the Precision Gears facility. As part of their report, OSHA identified that the company needed to add safety guarding protection to the loading dock area.
The loading dock is primarily used for shipping and receiving, including raw goods for manufacturing. Everything Precision Gears needs for manufacturing its products enters through this point. Although fairly typical, the loading dock is also equipped with overhead crane access for flatbed trucks. It has a horseshoe configuration with various access points and multiple doors.
Four things were kept in mind with this application:
Many people access the area. The area has to allow navigation for material up to 30 ft in length. Fork truck and overhead cranes need mobility access. Delivery truck drivers access the area continually.
"The goal was to fully protect the area and do it right the first time," Vincze said. "I wanted to make sure that we had complete protection for our exposed edges for all of our employees. We went beyond the OSHA requirements and installed Wildeck products that protect the exposed edges, protect our employees, and provide the access we need to get materials into our bay."
A key feature about Wildeck's guarding products that attracted Vincze is that they are manufactured from steel and are tested for impact resistance.
The variety of Wildeck safety products provided complete safety coverage to all of the access points on the company's loading dock, while meeting the clearance requirements of the dock overhang and the overhead crane.
On-Site Visit a Key
"The on-site visit by our dealer was so helpful in putting together a complete package to protect the entire area," Hathaway said. "We were able to select from our full lineup of safety guarding solutions to create the product mix that would meet all of Precision Gears' specialized loading dock access needs."
"Wildeck products have an appealing look," Vincze said. "And being a strong steel product, we have confidence in them."
The Wildeck safety products protecting Precision Gears' loading dock include:
EdgeGard™ Folding-Rail Dock Gate 3 EdgeGard™ Straight-Rail Dock Gates Wilgard® Guard Rail 2 Laddergard™ Safety Swing Gates Custom Safety Handrail
"All of the Wildeck products are working great," Vincze said. "We've had zero complaints from truck drivers or employees."
Wildeck's employees are committed to creating and delivering superior storing, lifting, and guarding products that work where you need them, when you need them.
"We are very pleased with Wildeck's quality safety products," he said, "and the outstanding customer service we have received. We would definitely purchase from them again."
