Accuform Signs

The footage and aftermath of the tornado that ripped through Moore, Okla. on May 20 has stunned and saddened the nation. The E5 tornado with winds over 200 mph devastated more than 17 miles of community, according to The Weather Channel.  

Although tornadoes of this magnitude are rare, this tragedy has left many people asking what steps they can take to prepare for a tornado situation.

Have a communications plan

Depending on when disaster strikes, family members may not be together. FEMA recommends having a communications plan so that each family member knows how to reach the other.

• Identify a friend or relative who lives out-of-state that all family members can contact to notify they are safe.
• Ensure everyone knows the emergency contact's phone number and has a phone, pre-paid card or coins available to make the call.
• Program the ICE (In Case of Emergency) number in your phone. If you are unable to make the call yourself, emergency personnel often check ICE listings in your phone.
• Teach all family members how to text. During network disruptions, texts have a better chance of getting through than a phone call.

To get started, use the FEMA Family Emergency Plan template, a free tool to help you organize your information.

Secure your home

Whether you live in tornado alley or simply want to know how to prepare in case of an extreme weather situation in your area, the American Red Cross offers several suggestions for preparing your residence for a tornado. These include:

• During storms, stay tuned into local news or radio for tornado watches and warnings.
• Have a safe room or gathering area. If there is not a basement or storm cellar, choose an interior room free of windows on the lowest floor.
• Practice tornado drills periodically.
• Trim back branches and remove damaged tree limbs.
• Secure any lawn furniture or objects – such as trash cans or potted plants – that could become projectiles.

For more information, visit OSHA’s Tornado Preparedness and Response page. Listed there are resources ranging from basic supply kit lists and safety checklists to additional links for more reading.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Moore, Okla. residents as they begin the difficult task of picking up the pieces and rebuilding their community.

About Accuform Signs

 Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

When you're in the business of selling products and services, it's all about the level of service customers have come to deserve and expect. It matters not what you sell. Taking care of the customers is #1 priority. This keeps them coming back for more.

Do you sell computers, tablets, cell phones, printers, planes, trains, automobiles or Facility Identification safety signs?

Your customer will come back to buy additional services if they're treated right and your customer service employees exceed their expectations. What I mean by exceeding expectations is to provide them something they would want and be useful for them without asking you. That is going above and beyond and at that point the customer can feel how much you care about their business. It is only at that point the relationship between service provider and customer begins to change.

Exceeding the customer’s expectations is a game changer and helps cement the trust and confidence relationship that your customers have in your people and your products. When this happens your customers will always return for additional future business. We also want to offer the very best price on all of our products and services at every single transaction. We don’t want to give the customer any excuse to have to go to a competitor for their products or services.

The Accuform Account Managers strive daily to exceed the customer expectations with the products and services that we offer. We may even go far overboard to satisfy the customer which will leave them with an impression of how hard we will work to regain their trust and confidence in Accuform products.

Is it important to exceed customer’s expectations for repeat business? I would be curious about your thoughts.

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

On April 23, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued the final rule requiring demolition and underground construction to follow the same requirements established by the final rule for Cranes and Derricks in Construction, published in August 2010.

Previously, OSHA had separate standards for underground and demolition work involving cranes and derricks.

Now, those standards have been eliminated, and the same rules applying to other crane and derrick construction sectors are now the same for underground construction and demolition.

Common Hazards and Signage Solutions

The hazards associated with cranes and derricks in construction can range from tipping caused by unstable loads to encountering buried electrical cables. Both the operators as well as the ground workers nearby can be affected by these risks.

• For ground workers, Crane Overhead and Swing Radius signs can help remind them to stay clear and be alert that cranes and derricks are operating nearby.
• For operators, High Voltage signs and markings alerting them to stay at least 20 feet away from power lines can help them adhere to regulations and operate at a safe working distance.
• For both ground workers and operators, Crane Hand Signal wallet cards can provide immediate reminders for standard communication signals.

For More Information

If you want to learn more about cranes and derricks, associated hazards and solutions, and OSHA regulations, please visit the following:

• OSHA's web page on Crane, Derrick, and Hoist Safety
• The OSHA Construction eTool on Cranes and Derricks
• The August 2010 Final Rule for Cranes and Derricks in Construction
• The OSHA news release announcing the latest ruling
• The final rule for Cranes and Derricks in Construction: Underground Construction and Demolition

The final rule takes effect May 23, 2013.

About Accuform Signs

 Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

It’s important to eat healthy and exercise regularly, but some people find it hard to do so while on a tight budget. Finding the right item in the produce aisle for your grocery list can be difficult if you are looking for things like ripeness, flavor and affordability. But, it can be done.

When making out your grocery list, be sure to include produce that are currently “IN SEASON”. Every produce aisle contains products that may or may not be in season so the prices can vary considerably if they aren’t.  

So, here is a guide to help you find the healthiest produce for you and your family this summer at the right price.

Apricots – harvested in late Spring, this sweet fruit contains carotenes to help prevent cancer and also contains hefty amounts of Vitamin A & C.

Blueberries – low in saturated fat, these berries are a great topping for waffles, cheesecakes and also used for jellies and jams.

Cantaloupes – very low in calories and contains Vitamins A & C. Slice up this melon and include it in a fruit salad for your summer get together.

Corn – popular in the summer, this yellow veggie contains B Vitamins, folate, beta-carotene and fiber. Try it out as a topping for a homemade pizza or grill out with corn on the cob for the 4^th of July.

Mangoes – this super fruit contains a large amount of Vitamin C. Cut up a fresh mango and sprinkle it over a nice chicken salad.

Peaches – rich in anti-oxidants, this delicious fruit has large amounts of Vitamin A, which is vital to our vision. It’s available all year round, but is freshest from May until October.

Tomatoes – raw or cooked, this delicious citrus fruit helps prevent DNA damage, reduces the risk for heart disease and also helps to reduce inflammation in the body. Be sure to check out your local farmers market for some fresh tomatoes this summer.

Watermelon – rich in electrolytes and low in calories, indulge in this tasty melon to keep cool on a hot summer day.

Zucchini – no fats or cholesterol, this veggie is also low in calories. Zucchini is great on the grill or steamed. Zucchini is also a great source of fiber and folate.

Exercise and diet are a huge part of our lives, and Accuform Signs is here to help make it easier with our WorkHealthy™ line of products. And make sure to update your Digi-Day™ with a new face this summer to keep things fresh in your facility.

Health Disclaimer

The information contained in this blog is presented in summary form only and intended to provide a basic understanding and knowledge of healthcare topics. The information should not be considered complete and should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation, or advice of your physician or other healthcare provider. WorkHealthy does not recommend the self-management of health problems. Should you have any healthcare-related questions, please call or see your physician or other healthcare provider promptly.

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

Although the beginning of May brought historic amounts of snow to the Midwest, it also ushered in more warm weather for the south – especially Florida – reminding residents that summer is just around the corner.

Hotter temperatures and more intense rays should also signal the start of sunscreen season. Has the memory of sunburns and peeling skin from last summer faded?

Maybe this reminder will help: May is National Melanoma Skin Cancer Awareness Month.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the most common cancer in the United States is skin cancer. So what can you do to protect yourself?

Some common-sense tips include:

• Cover up when you’re in the sun
• Stay in the shade if you can
• Use broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher
• Remember your hat before you walk out the door
• Slip on your sunglasses
• Avoid tanning beds

Beyond that, be aware of your personal risk. The CDC states that people with these characteristics are more prone to skin cancer and need to be extra cautious in the sun.

• A lighter natural skin color
• A personal history of skin cancer
• A family history of melanoma
• Exposure to the sun through work and play
• A history of sunburns early in life
• Skin that burns, freckles, reddens easily, or becomes painful in the sun
• Blue or green eyes
• Naturally blond or red hair

UV rays are most intense in the late spring and early summer in the hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. But don’t forget that you can also get sunburned on a cloudy day.

What precautions will you take this summer – that maybe you haven’t taken in the past?

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

Are we addicted to information?

Back in January, I wrote a post called The Downside to the “Instant Everything” Culture of Our Day. Yesterday, I was out shopping and pulled out my phone only to discover that my email connection had stopped working. I found myself frustrated by the inconvenience.

Really?

Mobile devices not only go everywhere with us, but they also let us take everything with us. In doing so, they blur the boundaries between work and leisure, business and family time, common sense and safety.

Yes, common sense and safety. The words texting and driving do not belong in the same sentence, and yet, texting at the wheel is becoming a problem perhaps more pervasive than drinking and driving.

Clifford Nass is a communication professor at Stanford, and he made this observation. “We’ve got a large and growing group of people who think the slightest hint that something interesting might be going on is like catnip. They can’t ignore it.”

We have to retrain our thinking.

Some campaigns are trying to help.

AT&T encourages drivers to take their pledge to never text and drive. The company launched its “It Can Wait” campaign in 2009 and encourages customers to download their free DriveMode® app. When you are driving faster than 25 mph, this app will send an automatic reply to incoming texts to notify your friends that you are driving and won’t reply until you can safely do so. Check out the “It Can Wait” YouTube video on this campaign.

Allstate launched their X the TXT program as a national movement to stop texting and driving. The program encourages drivers to take the pledge to X the TXT and like the campaign on Facebook.

Perhaps the most recent campaign is one launched by CBS Radio’s AMP 97.1 on April 23. It’s a zombie-themed campaign called DriveAlive which asks drivers to sign an online Facebook pledge in exchange for contest giveaways.  

We have to take ownership.

Campaigns are fine, but ultimately, each of us has to make the decision …

… to leave our phone alone or turn it off when driving

… to ignore the simple notification that teases our curiosity

… to keep our eyes on the road and off our screens

Self-restraint is all that's required. But if you don’t trust yourself, try locking your phone in your trunk or glove compartment where it’s out of sight and out of mind.

We certainly can’t blame the bad choice to text and drive on a lack of information. The Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA) keeps an updated list of Distracted Driving Laws by state on their website.  

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) offers a wealth of information, including a Distracted Driving Information Clearinghouse webpage that lists firms and organizations that are committed to consumer education and outreach.

Texting and driving... It can wait. This shouldn't just be an AT&T slogan. It should be something we tell ourselves every time we are tempted to take our eyes off the road.

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

Well, this is my 2^nd year attending Social Fresh East at the Tampa Doubletree Hotel. I live just an hour north of Tampa, and I’m blessed to have been a part of this conference both times.

I mention the Doubletree because they had us attendees promote their world-famous cookies; we tweeted a picture of their cookies, and we as a conference caused a temporary power failure which just added to the content being tweeted.   

This two-day occasion brings us some of the biggest names in social media and yep, you guessed it, freshest faces, too. Why our MC’s were none other than Sebastian Rusk of Social Buzz TV and Stephanie Wonderlin (now Wonderlin-Carls) of Tweetheart TV. Watch their intro of Jason Keath and Social Fresh East 2013.

But what’s most impressed me both years is the practical application information provided.

We, as social media specialists, marketing managers, brand managers, lobbyists, tech and Twitter nerds (in general) have been deluged over the past 5 years with theory – with terms like humanization, content, conversation and high-level ideas of what we’re supposed to be doing to help our brand succeed in social. We’ve been overrun with platforms that purport to help us produce results; tools that we can use to manage our time better and courses and consulting that we can purchase to get the job accomplished.

But in all of the webinars I’ve sat in on, all of the blog posts written by self-proclaimed gurus and rockstars, I was never really able to put together the answers to these $64,000 questions:

• How do I get in front of my audience?
• How can I get this all accomplished as efficiently as possible?
• What gives my offer value?

Well, I think Jason Keath, the founder of Social Fresh and the speakers that have graced us in Tampa have really finally answered those questions. Or maybe I’m just finally getting it.

1. How do I get in front of my audience? Well, first I have to define my audience and decide what it means to get in front of them. Is a blog the way to go? What channels do they congregate in? Who do they listen to? What are they following? When I can safely answer these questions, I can decide which content to post where and when. How can I serve them?
2. How can I get this all accomplished as efficiently as possible? We’ve learned over time where our audience congregates, but I’ve learned over time that it’s not about finding my audience and chucking up my junk for all to see. One by one, we have to establish relationships. If one marketer pushes their stuff on another marketer, and the other marketer responds likewise, they can friend, like or follow each other until the end of the age and never have accomplished a thing. So I think this question needs to be changed to a statement. Engage, one-by-one, with your audience and;
3. Offer them value. Jay Baer of Convince and Convert is calling it “Youtility” in his new book coming out in June. Chris Brogan calls it simply “Be Nice.” Don’t tell them about your product offering, but see what you can do for them – how you can serve your fellow man.

These ideas are timeless; they are biblical; they are karmic; they’re in every great piece of wisdom literature, including “How to Win Friends and Influence People.”

Read my Social Fresh East Wrap-Up from February 2012.

Bummed I missed Chris Penn this year. He's always good for an overwhelming presentation and topic.

So what does it mean to be social? What do and don’t we teach our children? Be nice. Don’t push. But do talk to strangers when it comes to social media. And add a smiley face. :)

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

What is the leading cause of stress in your life? April is National Stress Awareness Month and a good time for each of us to take a step back from our hectic schedules to examine the stress factors in our lives and how we can best respond to them.

According to the American Institute of Stress (AIS), stress is not something scientific or easily measurable, because it is changes from person to person. What stresses one person may not even cause someone else to flinch.

However, perhaps the most common cause for stress is change. Hans Selye understood this concept when he defined stress as “the non-specific response of the body to any demand for change.”

Common sources of stress

So what are the leading factors that contribute to stress? Livestrong.com identifies the top 10 causes of stress as follows:  

1. Childhood trauma
2. Death of a loved one
3. Divorce
4. Finances
5. Job
6. Health
7. Personal relationships
8. Chronically ill child
9. Pregnancy
10. Danger

Take time this month to honestly examine what causes you anxiety and what you can do to live a less stressful life.

Combat stress with humor

Maybe a little levity will help. April is also National Humor Month. If you’re in need of some humor or a good laugh, look no further than this list of bizarre April daily holidays. The list includes:

• April 2 – National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
• April 4 – Tell-A-Lie Day (Why would anyone encourage this?)
• April 15 – Rubber Eraser Day (Is there any relationship here to Tax Day?)
• April 24 – National Pigs-In-A-Blanket Day (Don't forget your condiments.)
• April 27 – Tell a Story Day (Eh-hem, a truthful story preferably)
• April 30 – National Honesty Day (Is this day designed to counteract Tell-A-Lie Day?)

No joke! Humor and laughter have positive, physical effects as well. The Mayo Clinic suggests laughter has short-term, as well as long-term benefits, that include an improved immune system, pain relief, and increased personal satisfaction.

Attitude really is everything

The lens through which we view life colors our outlooks. Charles Swindoll offered this definition of Attitude.

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.”

How can a change of attitude change your day?

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

Have you heard about Google’s augmented reality glasses, the Google Glass? Google has finally invented the future – the future we’ve been ready and waiting for.   

At the Glass homepage, click into either:

How it Feels With a virtual screen in front of you, and operating on voice activation, Glass can show you the time and temperature, record a video (as you’ll see in the video), pull-up images, take pictures and send messages. There’s even a Face-Time player (for lack of a better term) where people can see what you see when they’re not even there. Watch the cool action video.

What it Does Click into this portion to see what I wrote under “How it Feels” in a PDF slide-show presentation. Here, they also promote a GPS-type function and really harp on the “ask whatever’s on your mind” in a very Google-type fashion. How about a translator and arrival/departure schedule “…without having to ask.”

How to Get One Glass comes in 5 different colors - Charcoal, Tangerine, Shale, Cotton, Sky, but as you’ll see when you click the link, applications are now closed. If you decide to register for information, Google wants to know what you’ll be using it for; personal use, as a developer, industrial/business, research or other.

At Google’s Glass FAQ page, you’ll learn that:

• Glass is not indestructible – and you should try to keep it/them dry.
• Noise, bright days and sensitive areas or people may affect use-ability (and video monitoring).
• Glass could be distracting while driving a car or bike.
• “Glass isn’t for everyone.” Consult your doctor first.
• Glass isn’t PPE. It’s not made to protect your eyes.

Tech specs include:

• Adjustable nosepad and frame
• 5MP camera and 720p video
• Wifi enabled
• Bluetooth enabled
• 12 GB of storage and battery for a day

Want to know more, like how much they’re expected to cost? Gotta Be Mobile says that Google Glass cost $1,500 to new developers. An article in the Washington Post states “from around $250 to $600” for consumers - but that was prior to the end of 2012. If it’s true, I’ll be receiving mine once they start shipping.

Check out this article (and videos) from The Verge for documentation for the Mirror API for developers.

And yes, they will be available with prescriptions as well.

So, will you go Google Glass?

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

Vitamins and minerals are similar to carbohydrates, protein and fats; they're all essential for your body to function properly. They help repair and grow cells in the body which allow you to perform daily tasks efficiently. Since the body doesn’t produce vitamins or minerals naturally, you need to acquire them from food, liquids and the other things in the environment.

There are two types of vitamins; fat soluble and water soluble. Fat soluble vitamins are absorbed into the tissues of the body and stored until they are needed. Water soluble vitamins can dissolve in water and help with metabolization. They are absorbed directly into the bloodstream and then excreted in the urine.  

Minerals are inorganic substances that compose about 4% of the human body. They help in cellular function which allows your body to move and grow.

In this blog, I am going to give you a general guide to some of the vitamins & minerals your body needs, what each of them do for you and where you can find them.

Vitamins & Minerals recommended from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (USFDA)

Calcium: a mineral that helps develop and maintain healthy bones and teeth. Also helps reduce blood pressure, and aids in hormone secretion. Found in milk and other dairy products like cheese and yogurt.

Folic Acid: a water soluble vitamin that helps aid in proper development during pregnancy and reduces the risk of heart disease. Found in fortified grains, asparagus, spinach, orange juice and lentils.

Iodine: this mineral is a crucial component of thyroid hormones and helps regulate body temperature, nerve and muscle function. Iodine is found in table salt, baked potatoes and canned tuna. Too much iodine can cause hyperthyroidism, goiters and GI complications.

Iron: you should only take iron supplements if you have been diagnosed with an iron deficiency. Iron is a mineral that carries oxygen from our lungs to the rest of our body. It can be found in papaya, oysters, kale, and cashews. See more on Iron.

Potassium: a macro-mineral and electrolyte that assists in heartbeat stabilization, and muscle function. It also helps to lower blood pressure, and helps with hydration. You can find potassium in bananas,  carrot juice, and yogurt.

Vitamin A: this vitamin is known to help with good vision. It encourages white & red blood cell activity and helps rebuild bones as well. This vitamin can be found in kale, eggs, raw carrots, and vanilla ice cream. Yes, that rights – ICE CREAM.

Vitamin B: there are two major B vitamins; B6 & B12. Show your employees how easy it is to get your B vitamins with our WorkHealthy banner.

• Vitamin B6 is a water soluble vitamin that aids in the sleeping process. It helps produce serotonin and also enhances cognitive and immune functions. This can be found in salmon, hazelnuts, cottage cheese and onions and apples.
• Vitamin B12 is also a water soluble vitamin that plays a role in metabolizing fatty and amino acids. As you get older, Vitamin B12 will become more important to you as it helps reduce memory loss, dementia, and anemia. You can find this vitamin in mussels, salmon, apples, skim milk, and poached eggs.

Vitamin C: This cancer reducing vitamin helps make collagen. It has lots of antioxidants and other immune boosting agents that help your body perform properly. This helpful vitamin can be found in citrus products like orange juice and red peppers. Accuform offers a WorkHealthy poster that stresses the importance of Orange Juice in your daily diet.

Vitamin D: Do you like fun in the sun? Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin that is activated by sunlight but be sure to wear your sunscreen. You can also find Vitamin D in salmon and egg yolks.

Vitamin E: is a fat soluble vitamin that helps with cell signaling, gene expression and metabolic processes. It’s found in sunflower seeds, almonds, broccoli, and tomato.

Vitamin K: this fat soluble vitamin helps with wound repair and bone development. It helps with blood clotting and can be found in parsley, kale, and collards.

Zinc: is an essential mineral that is involved with numerous aspects of cellular metabolism. It plays a role in protein synthesis, wound healing, DNA synthesis, cell division and also helps with your taste buds and sense of smell.

I hope you've gained some helpful information. For more information on daily intake of vitamins and minerals, please feel free to visit CDC or consult your doctor.

Health Disclaimer

The information contained in this blog is presented in summary form only and intended to provide a basic understanding and knowledge of healthcare topics. The information should not be considered complete and should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation, or advice of your physician or other healthcare provider. WorkHealthy does not recommend the self-management of health problems. Should you have any healthcare-related questions, please call or see your physician or other healthcare provider promptly.

References:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/271425-why-are-vitamins-important-to-your-body/

http://www.livestrong.com/article/70232-vitamins-apple/

http://greatist.com/health/ultimate-guide-vitamins-and-minerals

http://www.fda.gov/

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

Last month, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) celebrated the 35-year anniversary of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. This act came in response to tragic mining accidents and demanded more protection for mining workers.

Thirty-five years later, a decrease in mining-related deaths speaks to the impact this legislation has made. MSHA statistics show that 273 mining deaths occurred in 1977. Last year, there were 35.

How can signage contribute to mine safety?

Mines present numerous hazards, especially from smoking and open flames. Related hazards include spillage, combustible materials and flammable liquids.

MSHA’s web page on warning signs identifies the types of signs that should be posted in mining areas and what provisions they must meet. The web page offers the following checklist to determine sign placement and help ensure compliance.

• Are warning signs posted near storage and dispensing areas for flammable or combustible liquids?
• Are warning signs posted near storage and dispensing areas for grease?  Although greases may be more difficult to ignite than flammable liquids, once ignited they burn intensely and are difficult to extinguish.
• Are warning signs posted near storage areas for flammable gases?
• Are warning signs posted near areas where flammable or combustible liquids or flammable gases are used or transported in a manner that could create a fire hazard?
• Are signs posted in vehicles transporting flammable liquids, for persons who smoke, that such transport could create a fire or explosion hazard? 
• Are the signs readily visible to all persons in the area and adequate to warn persons of the hazardous area?

Accuform Signs offers flammable warning signs, as well as no smoking signs, to assist with compliance. For more information, visit our website at accuform.com.

Thanks to the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, the number of mine-related deaths has decreased dramatically. However, one death is one too many. Choose safety signage to help identify mine safety hazards and help prevent unnecessary injuries.

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

Innovation: the act or process of inventing or introducing something new

We Are ALL Innovators!

Accuform has 300 employees. So, we have 300 innovators. Yes, YOU are an innovator. Sure, your job description may be “Purchasing Agent” or “Finisher”, or “Shipping Clerk”… but that doesn’t change the fact that you are a force of innovation, change, and progress.

As human beings, we have been created to be creative. Everyone, and again, I stress - EVERYONE is creative. Some of us are more creative than others, just as some of us are better with numbers, machines, or people.

Nevertheless, human beings are natural problem solvers. Throughout our history we have designed tools and systems that have made our lives more productive, safer, and more enriched.

When we are talking about New Product Innovation, what we’re talking about is the art of being human.

As you go about your day, think about ways in which a process can be made smoother. Can this save money? Will this make my job easier? Also, you can think of ways our products can be improved. Could we make this product in a less costly way? Is there something we could do to enrich the customer’s job, or even make their life easier? If you figure that out, then you’ve got a golden goose!

It’s not JUST about making money, though – it’s about making the world a better, safer place.

The Economics of Innovation

While our mission is to Inform, Protect, and Motivate the global workforce, we recognize that if we are going to accomplish that mission – particularly the “global” aspect – we must be about the business of making new products, selling those products, manufacturing those products, and ultimately turning a profit!

A profit is like a dirty word, isn’t it? Nobody likes to talk about it. We tend to associate it with corporate power and uncharitable shareholders who like to hoard their vast wealth. 

I can assure that’s not the case with Accuform. In fact, profit should be our FAVORITE word, because the owners of Accuform have consistently (and often extravagantly) invested their profits BACK INTO the company.

This means two things that are AWESOME for us… (1) More Jobs for our local community, and (2) Better jobs, better benefits, and a better place to work!

Profits are what keep this ship afloat, and they continue to fund our journey to becoming to the world’s greatest safety identification supplier.

Profits from increased sales and increased production have allowed us to be generous in our community. They have also afforded us the opportunity to build a state-of-the-art, 280,000 sq. ft. manufacturing and world headquarters – scheduled to break ground this year!

It’s very exciting to think about how ALL of our jobs and lives will be enriched by the formation of this new building. New products (created by you) will help fund this venture. The profits gained are invested back into the company. That’s why it’s OUR responsibility to keep the engine of innovation turning.

The Temptation to Stall

The mission is clear – make new products that Inform, Protect, and Motivate the global workforce – and in turn, make the world a better, safer place. However, there is a very real temptation that awaits us.

You see, we’ve had a little success. We’ve won some awards. We’ve grown a lot. At this point, we might begin to think that we’ve pretty much got this whole “safety sign thing” down.

I would encourage us to never lose the competitive spirit. Every sign we ship put of this building with Accuform’s trademark customer service and attention-to-detail production quality, is a sign of our own job security. It means that nobody else is going to do it like us. But there are other company’s out there waiting for us to slip (some are ankle biters and some are real threats)… waiting for our shipping time to sink… waiting for our quality to become rushed and flawed… waiting for our customer service to become impatient and rude.

Those are obvious temptations and I’m sure we think about them every day. However, less obvious temptations would be to assume that every new idea has been explored… every new product has been tried… every new process has been examined. We must not hesitate to speak-up when inspiration strikes. We must press-on and continue to be the leaders in innovation that our customers have expected from us for more than 30 years.

In closing, I just want to remind that you that many of our most-popular products were at one time just ideas scribbled on a piece of paper, by people just like you. In fact, sometimes the ones who are closest to the products have the best ideas.

Maybe you’ve seen a special order that you think could be sold in the catalog. Maybe you were asked to quote a special material or custom project that could be turned into a new product. Maybe a customer has asked you for something, but you had to say, “sorry, we do not make/sell those”.

There are new product ideas all around us. Often though, we get so wrapped up in our day-to-day tasks that we forget to make a note or pass along this information to the people who can run with it. If you are unsure how to share your idea, here are a couple of tips:

1. Write it down. Post-It note. Email to someone. Describe your new idea in a few words.
2. Draw it, sketch it, photograph it, whatever… as they say, “a picture is worth a thousand words”
3. Drop your idea into the Accuform “feedback” box.
4. I promise that these boxes are checked frequently. Your recommendations are taken seriously and get sent to the right people. If the idea is for a new product, that person will be me. You can also call, email, or visit me in person and we can sketch your idea on the white board in my office.

Thanks for reading. Remember, when it comes to innovation… YES WE CAN!

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

Many cognitive biases can interfere with the ability to scan and see workplace hazards and safety signage. Here are some to consider:

Anchoring: the tendency to rely too heavily, or “anchor” perceptions on past experience.

Attentional bias: the tendency to pay attention to emotionally dominant stimuli in one’s environment at the expense of neglecting other important information or visual inputs. (Note: Signs and posters can be “emotionally dominant.”)

Confirmation bias: the tendency to search for, scan or see in a way that confirms one’s preconceptions, usually based on past experiences.

Curse of knowledge: when mastery of a topic or work task diminishes one’s ability to think and “see” in objective, non-biased terms.

Illusion of control: overestimating one’s degree of control over external events such as job tasks. (Signage can remind people otherwise.)

Just-world hypothesis: the belief that the world is just and bad things only happen to people who deserve it, such as the careless or accident-prone – but never oneself.

Normalcy bias: refusing to plan for, or react to, a disaster or other sudden crisis or dangerous change in working conditions that has never before happened. (One more reason for emergency signage.)

Optimism bias: overestimating positive outcomes; a form of wishful thinking that interferes with objective scanning and seeing “the outside world.”

Ostrich effect: denying or ignoring dangerous cues picked up while scanning and seeing the workplace

Planning fallacy: underestimating the time it will take to complete a task, leading to rushing, short-cuts, and inadequate scanning and seeing.

Recency bias: if you haven’t experienced an accident in a long period of time, you let your guard down, you are insufficiently vigilant, overconfident, complacent, and not apt to effectively scan and see. (Here signage serves as reminders.)

Risk compensation: when accident-free experience makes you complacent and over-confident, you take increased risks.

Self-serving bias: the tendency to evaluate input derived from scanning and seeing the workplace in a way that is not objective or non-judgmental, but rather in your best interests.  You don’t want to take the time to report a hazard or potential hazard you have seen or identified, or fix it yourself, so you consciously downgrade its risk.

Placement bias: you think of yourself as better than your co-workers at tasks you rate yourself as above average. This over-confidence can cause you to forego scanning and seeing your work area, or give it short-shrift.

Do you know of any other psychological barriers to identifying signage? We'd love to hear from you!

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

Corporate Training Director, Lori Bainum, conducts an exercise at an Accuform Signs Anniversary Luncheon. 

Every month Accuform Signs holds an anniversary luncheon to celebrate the number of years of service for employees. It is really a nice break from the business of the day to day work load.

During this specially scheduled day that starts at 9:15 am and rolls through lunch, it proves time well spent with other employees in other departments. Accuform currently has a partnership with the Pasco Hernando Community College and their director of training hosts this monthly event.

Employees celebrating their anniversary that month are treated with a catered lunch. The hand carved ham or roast beef with large shrimp and homemade soups are always a special treat at lunch and the employees are grateful that they're being treated with great service while sitting with the CEO, Wayne Johnson, and President, Dave Johnson.

After lunch, they give a company-wide update on the latest changes and additions in machinery and improved processes that keep Accuform Signs moving forward in this technologically advanced company. It's interesting to note that one of our newest machines recently installed is the very first one in the world! Technicians from Germany were here recently to install and train our employees.

Because we're so customer driven, we feel it's important that employees from different departments take some time in the anniversary luncheon to share who they are with others. We have numerous discussions and personal sharing that takes place to help facilitate bringing employees together. After all, we all must work together as a team to make this manufacturing machine work to capacity.

My 2013 anniversary luncheon took place recently. We broke into four teams and created our Accuform top ten list of “Things that express a positive attitude”. This was a great team building experience and exercise for members of all departments.

Does your company do anything special to celebrate your employee’s dedication and years of service to your company? I'm always interested in what others are doing and I encourage your feedback here. Thank you!

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

Kickboxing is a martial art that involves controlled kicking and punching movements. Its oldest ancestor is Muay Thai, which originated in Thailand about 2,000 years ago.

Since then, American kickboxing has evolved into a full contact sport. It became popular in the 1970's and can burn some serious calories. Just one hour of cardio kickboxing can burn more than 400 calories depending on a person’s fitness level.

It not only promotes weight loss but can also help build muscle in your arms, legs, abs, and increases joint flexibility.

Like many other types of exercises, cardio kickboxing has emotional health benefits such as stress reduction and boosting your self-esteem. Good emotional health is essential for you to perform your job duties at work properly.

Listening and communication skills can be affected if a person is stressed out or lacks self-confidence. Be sure to check out your local gyms and see if they offer kickboxing classes. You will reap the benefits and look better than ever.

Here at Accuform Signs, we encourage healthy living whether you are at work or at home. We want to make sure you eat right, exercise regularly and take care of yourself mentally. Plus, we have all the necessary equipment to help you do so. Purchase one of our WorkHealthy banners to promote healthy living in your workplace too! Anyone can do it!

Vince Lombardi said “It's not whether you get knocked down; it's whether you get up.” To me, life can throw obstacles in your way. It’s up to you to kick them down, out or away from your path.

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

Twenty-five percent of forklift-related deaths result from forklift overturns, according to OSHA. Other forklift injuries occur when:

1. Operators inadvertently drive forklifts off loading docks
2. Lifts fall between docks and unsecured trailers
3. Lift trucks strike pedestrians
4. Workers fall from elevated pallets and tines

So what are some procedures and housekeeping rules employers can implement to create a safer workplace?

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) published an alert on Preventing Injuries and Deaths of Workers Who Operate or Work Near Forklifts. In it, NIOSH offers some suggestions for controlling this occupational hazard from several angles which include the following.

For the work environment:

• Do regular safety inspections to identify potential hazards
• Distance workstations and equipment as far away from aisles as possible, and keep aisles clear
• Enforce safe facility traffic rules, such as speed limits and stop signs
• Keep loading docks, aisles and operating surfaces well maintained

For workers on foot:

• Where possible, keep forklift traffic and foot workers separate
• Designate some aisles for foot workers or forklifts only
• Keep employee high traffic areas – such as time clocks and break rooms – off limits to forklifts
• Identify blind corners and intersections where mirrors might improve visibility
• Use horns, alarms and flashing lights to alert workers when forklifts are present

For forklift operators:

• Only operate a forklift if you are trained and licensed to do so
• Use your seatbelt if available
• If your forklift is damaged, report it immediately
• Never jump from an overturning forklift, but hold on firmly, leaning in the opposite direction of the overturn
• Always use extreme caution on ramps and inclines
• Visit NIOSH’s website for more information

More resources are also available on OSHA’s Powered Industrial Trucks page. In conjunction with the Industrial Trucking Association (ITA), OSHA has published Sample Daily Checklists for Powered Industrial Trucks to help with training and maintenance.

What are some ways your facility promotes forklift safety?

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

Step into most industrial facilities, and you will see signage, floor signs and even banners that alert you to the presence of forklift traffic. Additional warnings are posted for forklift operators to be on the alert for pedestrian traffic.

Why is this signage so important? Surely pedestrians will see – or at least hear – when forklifts are coming. And surely forklift drivers will know pedestrians are present, right?

Not necessarily.

OSHA has published case studies that report on fatal occupational injuries associated with forklifts. A few are listed below.

• Fatal Accident Summary Report: Struck and Crushed By a Backing Forklift…
• Press Operator Dies After Forklift Rams Scrap Bin…
• Supply Motorman Killed by Load Falling from a Forklift

Clearly, forklift operation demands safe work practices. In 29 CFR 1910.178, OSHA outlines general requirements for powered industrial trucks. Additional standards by industry group are listed in Frequently Cited OSHA Standards.

OSHA has also published a Safety and Health Information Bulletin that discusses the issue of young workers and forklift operation. Protecting Young Workers: Prohibition Against Young Workers Operating Forklifts is designed to help employers ensure a safe workplace. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, employees under 18 years of age are prohibited from operating forklifts in most circumstances. For more information, review the Department of Labor’s Fact Sheet #43 which outlines youth employment provisions.

Regardless of age, workers must be trained and certified. 29 CFR 1910.178(I)1)(i) states:

“The employer shall ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation…”

The right people with the right training make the difference in busy industrial facilities where pedestrians move about and forklifts operate.

When you see forklift or pedestrian signage in your facility, pay attention. It’s there for a reason, and that reason may be you.

Next time, we’ll look into the potential hazards associated with forklifts in work environments and what employers and employees can do to help ensure a safe workplace.

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

Each month, Accuform Signs' employees take part in an anniversary luncheon, commemorating their start with the company. It consists of a catered lunch, team building exercises, what's happening with the company and brainstorming.

Last month, employees were randomly placed into four teams from all departments to determine the “Top Ten Things That Express a Positive Attitude”:

Top 10 (Team 1)

10. Setting a goal for success

9. Commitment

8. Actions

7. Choice of Words

6. Give Compliments / Praise

5. Tone of service

4. Body Language

3. Facial Expressions

2. Having Fun

1. Be a Great Team Player

Top 10 (Team 2)

10. I know the situation will work out for my higher good.

9. I give up the right to criticize myself.

8. I chose to see the light that I am in the world.

7. All that I need will come to me at the right time and place in my life.

6. I never know what amazing incredible person I will meet next.

5. I chose friends who approve of me and love me.

4. I have every bit of brightness to offer the world as the net person.

3. I do not settle for meaningless, boring and frustrating work.

2. I trust myself to make the best and smartest decision for me.

1. I bet today will be a day to remember. Let us go and greet it.

Top 10 (Team 3)

10. Smile :)

9. Never Give up – Aspire to Inspire

8. Think Walmart Greeter >>> say "Hi!"

7. Always go the extra mile

6. Have a good attitude

5. Hold your head up high

4. Listen >> understand >> empathize

3. Praise – remember to compliment for a job well done

2. Respect yourself and others

1. I think Positively, therefore I am >> love yourself

Top 10 (Team 4)

10. Perform Random Acts of Kindness

9. Don’t sweat the small stuff

8. Compliment one another

7. Be a part of the solution and not a part of the problem

6. Be supportive

5. Avoid negativity

4. Be a good listener

3. Have patience and understanding

2. Smile :)

1. Choose your attitude

I like the diversity of responses from all four teams. Let me know your thoughts. How does your company's top 10 list compare? Have we overlooked anything?

How do you get your employees working to improve internal customer relationships?

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

It's taken a couple of years, but Accuform Signs finally hit the 500 "Like" mark for our Facebook page! I think that's something to celebrate!

On March 11th, Missy Paddock Martin Wyzykowski became our 500th lucky permanent guest, and the momentum is going strong!

We've had 12 more "Likes" in 10 days, which led me to wondering, did we reach the tipping point? Are we at critical mass?

Many "social media gurus" would argue we've only just begun, and the "Like" is not the end game, but just the beginning game.

They'd argue that 90% of "Likers" never return to the page; that there's little to no engagement; that the "WOW" factor has seemingly gone; unless you make them keep coming back for more.

What does it take to engage fans (am I allowed to still call them fans)?

Dan Zarella, The Social Media Scientist, has a great article and [Infographic] on How to Get More Likes, Comments and Shares on Facebook. Among other things, he says:

• photos rule the roost (or post)
• short posts are better than longer posts are better than medium posts
• have an opinion - don't be milk-toast
• post around 8 pm for "Likes"
• And surprisingly, on Saturday and Sunday (maybe people are more relaxed).

Others say you have to have a contest, give away coupons or run sale items. they say you have to have content that engages the reader and keeps them coming back for more.

Maybe they're right, but I say, "Do what you do, do it consistently, and you'll find your audience."

But hey, a contest may be really fun after all.

So here's the game - 1,000 "Likes" Safely.

• "Like" our page - get a chance to win $250 VISA gift card.
• Send in a photo of an Accuform safety sign where you work - get a chance to win a $250 VISA gift card.
• If you've already "Liked" our page, you're automatically entered to win. But you could increase your chances of winning by sending in a photo.
• So a "Like" and an image gives you double the chance of winning!
• "Like" our page as an individual. The winner won't be a company or corporation, nor will it be an Accuform employee or family member.

So engage. Send in a photo. We love to see our safety signs in action.

So share. The quicker we reach 1,000 "Likes" the quicker you might be $250 richer.

Keep coming back and checking on our progress.

Not getting there quick enough? Share with your friends and colleagues again.  

It's a win-win situation :) https://www.facebook.com/accuformfans

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

You and your friends walk into the old high school stadium. It’s Friday Night Lights. Time for some good old rock ‘em sock ‘em football.

You take your seats and it’s not long before you’re thinking, “Something’s not right.” The bands are cooking. The cheerleaders are chanting. But… you look around the stadium. Where’s the scoreboard? There’s no scoreboard.

Both teams come flying out of opposite ends of the field and jam the brakes on before they get to the 20 yard lines. The players look around. Where’s the scoreboard? The coaches stalk after the refs.

“How can you play a game without knowing the score?” yells one coach at a ref.

The scoreboard battery blew out, explains the ref. “So we’ll keep score on the field,” he says.

“Great,” says the coach, “keep the score to yourself.”

By the second quarter, half of the fans have gone home. “How can you get excited and into the game when you don’t know the score?” grumbled one fan on his way out.

The play on the field is sluggish. The game has no juice. Some of the players appear apathetic or lost.

The coaches argue with each other. How do you call plays, make decisions, when you don’t know the down, the distance for a first down, the time remaining, and you need to keep checking with the ref for the score update?

When there is no safety score updates

This is like employees having to check in with the safety department for updates on accidents and injuries. This is because there’s no scoreboard out on the shop floor, or by the front gate.

“How long have we gone, how many days, without an accident?” one worker asks the safety director.

“When was we the last time we had a lost-time injury?” asks another. “I know we had a good record. I was proud of it. But you need a reminder.”

“What’s the countdown? How many days until we achieve our zero incident goal?” asks an employee. “This isn’t too smart. You want us to stay motivated, focused and informed about safety. But you keep all the information locked in the safety department. I see guys losing interest every day. We’re not communicating well.”

“We need to know the safety score out there to stay sharp, to be thinking about safety, to be aware. You can’t be aware if you don’t know the score,” says another employee. “Makes me wonder how much this company cares about safety. They say safety first. Yeah, they say the right things. But don’t keep us in the dark about something as important as safety.”

Says another worker: “There should be scoreboard displays inside and outside the plant. Everywhere you turn you should be reminded of how the team, the squad, the workforce is doing with safety. Visitors, clients, contractors, the public, they all should see the safety record to know how important safety is around here. “

The safety director listens and nods her head. “You’re right. I get it. I can’t keep employees engaged and motivated when they don’t know how they’re doing. We need our safety performance posted 24/7/365. I can’t promise you a scoreboard the length of a football field like the Dallas Cowboys have, I’m not Jerry Jones, but come next Monday we’ll have the score up in lights.”

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

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