For a person with a bad back this may not be the best idea.  You still have
to lift stacked boxes and then probably twist the spine while doing so.

Why not think laterally and go for a long deep hive? UK beekeeper Robin
Dartington has been using these for over 25 years and has written a couple of
books on the subject.  Using his design the maximum weight needing to be
lifted during manipulations is only 16 pounds.  It the beekeeper is really
weak or wheelchair bound the hive could be set up with a 30 degree tilt to
one side for easier reach.

Chris