Abstract

The huge cost associated with rehabilitating workers suffering from epidemiological conditions as a result of performing daily repetitive tasks that involves awkward postures in lifting low lying heavy loads in our workplace has been on the increase, as shown by records available in our health institutions. To address this problem in our workplaces, it becomes imperative that a simple device that can automatically lift and lower heavy objects powered by solar energy was conceived, designed and developed using available local materials and technology. This device was designed in such a way as to reduce the man-machine interface to the least minimum. Test carried out using the developed five tone solar powered hydraulic screw jack showed that the device can lift or lower heavy loads within its design limit to or from a height of four hundred 400 mm) in less than two minutes 2 min). It is our view that this cost effective lifting device be commercialized to eliminate these ugly health challenges among our workforce, thus encouraging more youths to become engaged as lifters in our industrial settings. This will in turn create employment among the youths, improve the already low standard of living and increase our national gross domestic product as a nation.