Case Study
Workplace design for a one-handed cutting machine operator

Company:

The company manufactures pneumatic tools, drives and special machines.

Disability and impairment of the employee:

The man's right forearm was amputated following a private accident and he is therefore severely disabled. He can only handle, grip, hold and carry loads, tools and devices to a very limited extent.

Training and job:

The man is a trained cutting machine operator and works in the company's production department in the area of milling technology.

Workplace and work task:

The cutting machine operator works in the production area on a CNC milling machine. As part of his job, he had to manually place workpieces weighing up to 25 kilograms from pallets onto the machine table. After placing the workpieces on the machine table, he clamped the workpieces on the table with screws using clamping elements.
The milling tools are not changed manually, but automatically by the tool changing device of the CNC milling machine according to the corresponding programming of the control.
At the end of the machining process, the cutting machine operator removed the workpieces again and placed them manually on pallets. As the cutting machine operator is unable to continue picking up, placing and clamping the workpieces manually due to his disability, the workplace was adapted accordingly.
A wall-mounted slewing jib crane was installed to place the workpieces on the machine table and to lift and place the machined workpieces on pallets. The wall-mounted slewing jib crane is controlled by a pendant control that can be operated with just one hand. Lightweight round slings are used as lifting gear to lift and place the workpieces with the crane. Hydraulic clamping elements are used to clamp the workpieces on the machine table.

Assistive products used:

Cranes, pulley blocks and load handling equipment
Assistive products for restraint and positioning of workpieces and tools (clamping elements)

Promotion and participation:

The workplace design suitable for disabled people was supported by the Integration and Inclusion Office. Advice was provided by the Technical Advisory Service of the Integration and Inclusion Office.

ICF Items

Reference Number:

R/PB0800


Last Update: 22 Oct 2025