Case Study
Workplace design for a cutting machine operator

Company:

As a subcontractor, the company manufactures spare parts, e.g. for forklift trucks and gearboxes, to order.

Disability and impairment of the employee:

The man has epilepsy. The occurrence of a seizure cannot be ruled out. For this reason, special aspects of occupational health and safety must be taken into account when performing the job, e.g. when using machines. He also has a back condition. He is therefore physically restricted when lifting and carrying loads, but also when bending and stooping. The degree of disability (GdB) is 70.

Training and job:

The employee is a trained skilled worker or cutting machine operator. He was previously unemployed and was newly hired by the company to work in the production.

Workplace and work task:

The cutting machine operator is employed in production at a new CNC machining center. The machining center is suitable for drilling, milling and thread cutting. The Cutting Machine Operator is responsible for operating, importing, modifying and, if necessary, writing CNC programs and loading / equipping the machining center. Suitable lifting equipment (crane) is available for loading the machining center with heavy and medium-heavy workpieces, so that these workpieces can be handled and transported in a back-friendly manner. The working area of the machining center is completely enclosed and shielded during company operations. Chips are transported out of the work area by a chip conveyor. To prevent accidents, workpieces can only be loaded and any chips that have not been removed can only be removed when the machining center is at a standstill - appropriate safety devices and sensors are provided on the machining center for this purpose. Due to the standard shielding of the machining process and the safeguarding with sensors, there is no particular risk of accidents - not even for a person with epilepsy.

Assistive products used:

Cranes, pulley blocks and load handling equipment

Promotion and participation:

The purchase of the CNC machining centre was only subsidised by 30 per cent by the Integration and Inclusion Office, as the use of the machining centre also brings economic benefits to the company. Advice was provided by the Technical Advisory Service of the Integration and Inclusion Office.

ICF Items

Reference Number:

R/PB4364


Last Update: 21 Oct 2025