DEVELOPMENT OF AN ERGONOMIC HAND WASHING CISTERN FOR CONTAINING THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 EPIDEMIC

Abstract

This project developed a leg operated hand washing machine with the objectives to comply with the
basic human factors' requirements and the washing guideline as recommended by WHO. The project
went through three distinctive processes; planning (where functionality of the equipment, aesthetics,
economics and the environment impact were considered); design using the 5th and 95th percentile of
the users' recent available anthropometric data for components having to do with heights and;
fabrication using local materials. The machine was developed using Solid work 2018 and
successfully manufactured. He machine can accommodate 3 users at same time in each of the hand
washing station comprise of three leg operating pedals for soap, water and sanitizer discharges. When
put into use the system performed satisfactorily meeting the objectives of the project. The average
time expended by an individual user was 48.09 ± 16.6 seconds which complied with the guideline of
WHO for 40-60 seconds hand washing. The Ergonomic Hand Washing Cistern, designed with local
materials, is cheap and maintainable. It can be used in homes, religious centres, commercial places,
hotels, hospitals, educational institutes, industries and at any gathering of more than two people.