How should feet be positioned when preparing to lift?

When preparing to lift, positioning your feet shoulder-width apart is the ideal choice because this stance provides a stable base of support, which is essential for maintaining balance and control during the lift. A shoulder-width stance effectively distributes your weight evenly, allowing you to engage your core and leg muscles more effectively, which are crucial when lifting heavy objects. This wider stance also helps reduce the risk of injury by minimizing the strain on your back and providing greater stability against side-to-side movements that may occur during the lift.

While other stances such as staggered formation can offer some benefits in specific situations, they may not provide the uniform support and stability that a shoulder-width position does. Having feet close together can increase the risk of losing balance, and positioning them about a foot apart may not maximize the stability needed during the lift. Therefore, a shoulder-width stance stands out as the best practice for safe manual handling.