Seattle, WA: 206-521-5676 Olympia, WA: 360-236-8748 Portland/Salem, OR: 503-768-9742 Info@SolutionsNW.com
How to Use an Ergonomics Assessment Form to Maximize Office Efficiency

How to Use an Ergonomics Assessment Form to Maximize Office Efficiency

How to Use an Ergonomics Assessment Form to Maximize Office Efficiency

How to Use an Ergonomics Assessment Form to Maximize Workplace EfficiencyErgonomics Consultants, Office Assessments, | Solutions Northwest Inc.

Perhaps you’ve received multiple complaints from employees that their workstations are hurting them. And naturally, you begin to panic. When your employees — the lifeblood of your organization — hurt, your bottom-line hurts.

Common health issues stemming from poor workplace ergonomics include sprains, tears, and strains. They also include carpal tunnel and back pain.

The good news is that by making your workplace ergonomic, you can improve the efficiency of your workers.

A good place to start is with an ergonomic assessment form. This form can help you get an idea of what problem areas your office has and begin the process of making your office a safer and more comfortable place to work.

Ergonomic Evaluation Forms Should Address the Height of Each Worker’s Monitor

Your ergonomics checklist should call attention to your employees’ monitor heights at their workstations. This is important because the screen height impacts the neck’s soft tissue.

If monitors are too high or low, consider giving your workers monitor arms. Laptop risers and monitor stands can also help them to adjust their screens’ heights.

Placement of the Mouse

An ergonomic assessment form can also help you to improve your workers’ efficiency by requiring you to assess each worker’s mouse placement.

Every worker should have no problem reaching their mouse while their elbow stays against their body. The elbow shouldn’t extend forward.

If you discover that an employee’s mouse isn’t in a safe position for them, consider giving them a vertical mouse. This type of mouse will allow them to make bigger muscular movements from their upper arm or elbow. This is much better than moving just the wrist, as this may inflame the wrist and quickly cause carpal tunnel.

For employees who are struggling with shoulder comfort, consider introducing trackballs to them. This device will minimize their shoulder movement by keeping it in a relatively neutral position. This solution is best for any employee who moves their mouse forward all day.

Back Support

Finally, your ergonomic assessment form should motivate you to examine your employees’ back support. This is essential given that research shows that more than one-fourth of working adults currently have back pain.

Ergonomics Consultants, Office Assessments, | Solutions Northwest Inc.To prevent or improve back pain due to work, you should give your employees chairs that have numerous seat adjustments. These adjustments should include armrest adjustments. Other adjustments include those for seat depth and height.

With the right chairs, you can reduce your employees’ back pain. This, in turn, can help them to perform better daily.

Consider Hiring an Ergonomics Consultant to Help You Improve Your Efficiency in the Office

A thorough ergonomic assessment form will help your office get an idea of what improvements should be made.

Furthermore, we recommend hiring an ergonomics consultant to ensure this assessment is properly performed by visiting your location in-person. This is a worthwhile investment, as it pays off in the long run with less injuries and better performance from your workesr.

Contact Solutions Northwest Inc. for an ergonomics assessment.

At Solutions Northwest Inc., we are vocational and ergonomics experts. We offer guidance to businesses on how to make their workplaces safe and productive. Contact us to schedule an ergonomics consultation or assessment for your business today.  

Using remote workers?  We offer an affordable virtual ergonomics assessment, which can be done remotely (all you need is access to e-mail or a smart phone).

Subscribe to our ergonomics blog for more ergonomics tips from Solutions Northwest Inc. – ergonomics assessments available in: Seattle, WA, Tacoma, WA, Olympia, WA, Vancouver, WA, Kent, WA Renton, WA, Beaverton, OR, Portland, OR, Salem, OR.

Virtual Ergonomics Assessment available nationwide!

Contact the Ergonomics Experts at Solutions Northwest Inc. Below:

Multiple Locations

Corporate Office: 120 State Ave. NE #397
Olympia, WA 98501
Business Hours: 8am-5pm M-F
Corporate FAX: 360-866-4773
Email: Info@solutionsnw.com

Olympia, WA

360-236-8748

Portland/Salem, OR

503-768-9742

Seattle, WA

206-521-5676

Contact our Ergonomics Experts

What to Look for When Shopping for the Best Ergonomic Workstation

What to Look for When Shopping for the Best Ergonomic Workstation

What to Look for When Shopping for the Best Ergonomic Workstation

What to Look for When Shopping for the Best Ergonomic WorkstationErgonomics Consultants, Office Assessments, | Solutions Northwest Inc.

What do remote work and office work have in common? They both carry the same risk of suffering a strain injury.

We are, of course, talking about ergonomics. Without a workstation that keeps the body in a neutral position, staying comfortable is all but impossible. The only question is which part of your body will start hurting first.

Not sure how to create the best ergonomic workstation for your needs? Start by investing in these three essential ergonomic upgrades!

Comfortable Ergonomic Chair

Let’s do a small test. Sit in your chair and press your back against the backrest. Are there any gaps between the chair and your spine?

If the answer is yes, you need a better office chair. Your back has a natural S-curve, and the chair needs to support it. An ergonomic chair will also have lumbar support for your lower back and a comfortable cushion.

These desks should be considered a long term investment as it will pay off with increased comfort and safety as well as improve productivity.

Related Article: “Why Every Business Needs an Ergonomics Assessment

Ergonomic Standing Desk

When you’re working at a desk, your wrists and arms should be parallel to the floor. At most, they need to be slightly angled down toward your lap.

The issue: most desks are 28-30” high, which puts people who are 5’10” or above in an awkward position. One solution: raise your chair to keep your wrists above the desk. You can also mount a keyboard tray under your desk.

No matter what you do, though, you won’t find the optimal height for all five main office tasks. These include:

  • typing
  • writing
  • viewing your screen
  • using the mouse
  • reading documents

Since these all require different heights, your best bet is to get an adjustable-height standing desk. That way, you can switch between sitting and standing to stay comfortable throughout the day.

Related article: “Standing vs Sitting at Your Desk

Ergonomics Consultants, Office Assessments, | Solutions Northwest Inc.Responsive Peripherals

The mouse and keyboard are also key parts of any ergonomic workplace. If they’re not comfortable, they’ll put stress on your wrists and shoulders.

A good mouse should fit your hand and be smooth to maneuver. If you can’t find a mouse that doesn’t cause you fatigue, consider another input device. For instance, a trackball will keep your hand in a neutral position.

As for the keyboard, look for a split model. Standard keyboards force your hands inwards, which causes you to hunch your shoulders. Split keyboards allow you to space each half and keep your shoulders relaxed.

Not a fan of split keyboards? Get a standard keyboard that either tilts forward or has a low, flat profile. Both types will help keep your wrists neutral.

Related article: “5 Benefits of Using an Ergonomic Mouse and Keyboard

Setting up the Best Ergonomic Workstation

Do you or your employees spend a big part of the day working at a desk? If so, neglecting workplace ergonomics can harm one’s health. Follow the above guide and begin your journey into creating an injury free workspace.

At Solutions Northwest Inc., we understand that ensuring that you and your employees are following ergonomic workstation guidelines can be tricky. Generally, best practice is to have an ergonomic assessment done by an ergonomics consultant – and our consultants at Solutions Northwest Inc. are here to help! Contact us here to schedule an ergonomic assessment or learn more about our services.

We can even help you if you have a lot of remote workers by setting up their workspaces with an affordable, virtual ergonomics assessment, which can be done remotely (all you need is access to e-mail or a smart phone).

For more information contact us at SolutionsNW.com, we will be happy to help you!

Subscribe to our ergonomics blog for more ergonomics tips from Solutions Northwest Inc., ergonomics evaluations available in: Seattle, WA, Tacoma, WA, Olympia, WA, Vancouver, WA, Kent, WA Renton, WA, Beaverton, OR, Portland, OR, Salem, OR.

Virtual Ergonomics Assessment available nationwide!

Contact the Ergonomics Experts at Solutions Northwest Inc. Below:

Multiple Locations

Corporate Office: 120 State Ave. NE #397
Olympia, WA 98501
Business Hours: 8am-5pm M-F
Corporate FAX: 360-866-4773
Email: Info@solutionsnw.com

Olympia, WA

360-236-8748

Portland/Salem, OR

503-768-9742

Seattle, WA

206-521-5676

Contact our Ergonomics Experts

4 Tips to Improve Office Workstation Ergonomics

4 Tips to Improve Office Workstation Ergonomics

4 Tips to Improve Office Workstation Ergonomics

4 Tips from Ergonomics Experts to Improve Office Workstation ErgonomicsErgonomics Consultants, Office Assessments, | Solutions Northwest Inc.

How you approach office workstation ergonomics has a massive effect on employee health and morale.

If you’re going to have a productive workplace, you need your employees to feel comfortable. An employee with a cramped desk and poor lighting isn’t going to be as effective as one that has enough space and safe lighting. Poor ergonomics can also result in workplace injuries that cost your business.

Thus, improving office workstation ergonomics should be a major priority for every office. In this post, our ergonomics experts will give you 4 tips for enhancing your workplace ergonomics so that your productivity is always stellar.

1. Promote Work Breaks

Create a culture of comfort and watch how it improves morale as well as worker productivity. Beyond office management, you often need to save workers from themselves by promoting frequent breaks as a policy or a workplace culture.

For example, it is vital that workers get up and walk around when their job involves them sitting at a desk all day. Performing back and arm stretches will stave off nagging injuries. Taking breaks from looking at the computer monitor will help them avoid eye strain as well.

Related article: “Break Time: 5 Reasons Work Breaks Boost Productivity

 

2. Prioritize Good Lighting

Harsh office lighting is bad enough, but when there are screens in the equation, the glare can really start to affect people’s ability to work effectively.

Ergonomics consultants suggest you position your office workstations near windows to help with eye strain. That said, be sure to note that workstations should not be positioned directly in front of the window, as this could cause eyestrain from the sun while you work.

Provide your workers adjustable blinds to adjust the lighting as they see fit. It’s all about providing options for your employees to succeed.

Every office is different and every detail matters regarding ergonomics. We highly recommend hiring an ergonomics consultant to perform a professional ergonomics assessment as a best practice for office workstations.

Related article: “Set the Mood with the Right Office Lighting

 

3. Teach Posture

Promoting proper posture in the workplace, whether it’s when employees are sitting at their desks or lifting heavy objects, will go a long way. When a worker has a cramped desk or has to do manual labor, it can lead to awkward positions, which lead to injuries.

When sitting at a desk, a worker should have their arms supported by the desk, their back and head should be upright, and the top of the monitor should be at eye level. When talking on the phone, your employees should use hands-free technology or make sure to hold the receiver up to their ear without straining the neck.

Related article: “The Ergonomic Way to Sit at Your Desk and View Your Monitor

 

4. Invest in Ergonomics

Staying educated and proactive about ergonomics is just the first step. It is highly recommended that one invests in ergonomics for the workplace.

Ergonomics Consultants, Office Assessments, | Solutions Northwest Inc.Investing in ergonomics for your workplace pays off by preventing workplace injuries, improving employee morale, and by boosting productivity.

Furthermore, your employees can file a workers’ comp claim for injuries that result from ergonomic failures. It’s in your best interest to give them the resources they need to succeed.

There are many details to consider when setting up an ergonomic workplace and it is always best practice to hire an ergonomics consultant company for this task.

Get an Office Workstation Ergonomics Assessment

These 4 office workstation ergonomics tips will help your employees maintain physical health at work. If you feel like your workers aren’t happy with your ergonomic situation, it might be time to get an ergonomics assessment from Solutions Northwest Inc.

We specialize in ergonomic consulting, office assessments, and ergonomic training, so contact us to find out how we can improve your office today.

We can even help you if you have a lot of remote workers by setting up their workspaces with an affordable, virtual ergonomics assessment, which can be done remotely (all you need is access to e-mail or a smart phone).

For more information contact us at SolutionsNW.com, we will be happy to help you!

Subscribe to our ergonomics blog for more ergonomics tips from Solutions Northwest Inc., ergonomics evaluations available in: Seattle, WA, Tacoma, WA, Olympia, WA, Vancouver, WA, Kent, WA Renton, WA, Beaverton, OR, Portland, OR, Salem, OR.

Virtual Ergonomics Assessment available nationwide!

Contact the Ergonomics Experts at Solutions Northwest Inc. Below:

Multiple Locations

Corporate Office: 120 State Ave. NE #397
Olympia, WA 98501
Business Hours: 8am-5pm M-F
Corporate FAX: 360-866-4773
Email: Info@solutionsnw.com

Olympia, WA

360-236-8748

Portland/Salem, OR

503-768-9742

Seattle, WA

206-521-5676

Contact our Ergonomics Experts

How Ergonomics Impacts Health and Safety in the Workplace

How Ergonomics Impacts Health and Safety in the Workplace

How Ergonomics Impacts Health and Safety in the Workplace

How Ergonomics Impacts Health and Safety in the WorkplaceErgonomics Consultants, Office Assessments, | Solutions Northwest Inc.

Did you know that one out of four Americans experiences lower back pain? The same CDC report found that roughly 20% of these cases were caused by work-related reasons (however, the actual figure is likely quite higher).

If you’re an employer, you’re likely scratching your head, thinking of ways to avoid this problem. The solution lies in ergonomics. But exactly how can ergonomics impact health and safety in the workplace?

In this article, we’ll be exploring how investing in ergonomic consultation can help you prevent injuries among your employees. That way, they can remain as productive as possible. Let’s get started!

Prevent Workplace Injury and Employee Pain

It doesn’t matter if your workplace is an office or a factory; your employees can experience pain from repetitive movements.

Some common things that cause pain in the workplace include things like:

  • Bent awkward postures for prolonged periods

  • Frequent bending and reaching
  • Small seats that don’t provide any support
  • No neck support
  • A bent wrist from frequent repetitive movements

Ergonomics experts can provide solutions in the form of new products and education.

This education will give your employees the knowledge they need to reduce pain levels while working. And when pain levels are lower in means, your workers will be more productive.

Fewer Serious Workplace Injuries

Often when we think of serious injuries in the workplace, we picture traumatic injuries that result from slipping and falling. However, the reality is that serious injuries can occur just from sitting for too long.

One Havard study found habitual inactivity can result in conditions like diabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and deep-vein thrombosis.

Ergonomics Consultants, Office Assessments, | Solutions Northwest Inc.And that just comes from sitting still. When you combine this inactivity with musculoskeletal injuries that occur from repetitive movement at work, you have a recipe for disaster.

In the best-case scenario, your worker will have to miss a few days or weeks of work.

Worst-case scenario, you lose them for a prolonged period of workers’ compensation claims. Investing in ergonomics in the office ensures that these serious workplace injuries never occur.

How to Implement Ergonomics into Your Workplace

We’ve learned why ergonomics is essential for a healthy office. But how do you go about implementing them? We recommend hiring an ergonomic expert for the task. These individuals provide a lot of different services.

First, you can engage them in end-to-end ergonomic consultations. Or, if you want to test your current ergonomic systems, you can hire them for an ergonomic assessment.

Lastly, education and training services ensure that you and your employees know proper safety techniques to minimize pain and injuries when working.

Want Health and Safety in the Workplace? Contact Solutions Northwest Inc.

We hope this article helped you learn more about how ergonomics can affect health and safety in the workplace. At Solutions Northwest Inc., we firmly believe that employers should be investing in workplace ergonomics.

Not only does it show that you care about your employees’ health and safety, but it can also save you a lot of money in the long run.

Remember that injury prevention is always preferable to waiting around for injuries to occur. So, if you’re ready to provide your employees with the protection they need, contact us today.

Using remote workers?  We offer an affordable virtual ergonomics assessment, which can be done remotely (all you need is access to e-mail or a smart phone).

For more information contact us at SolutionsNW.com, we will be happy to help you!

At SolutionsNW.com we value the importance of a positive workplace culture. Part of a positive workplace is a safe workplace, Contact Us to schedule an ergonomics consultation or ergonomics assessment for your office today.

Subscribe to our ergonomics blog for more ergonomics tips from Solutions Northwest Inc., ergonomics evaluations available in: Seattle, WA, Tacoma, WA, Olympia, WA, Vancouver, WA, Kent, WA Renton, WA, Beaverton, OR, Portland, OR, Salem, OR.

Virtual Ergonomics Assessment available nationwide!

Contact the Ergonomics Experts at Solutions Northwest Inc. Below:

Multiple Locations

Corporate Office: 120 State Ave. NE #397
Olympia, WA 98501
Business Hours: 8am-5pm M-F
Corporate FAX: 360-866-4773
Email: Info@solutionsnw.com

Olympia, WA

360-236-8748

Portland/Salem, OR

503-768-9742

Seattle, WA

206-521-5676

Contact our Ergonomics Experts

Back-To-The-Office: 3 Ergonomics Gadgets Every Office Worker Needs

Back-To-The-Office: 3 Ergonomics Gadgets Every Office Worker Needs

Back-To-The-Office: 3 Ergonomics Gadgets Every Office Worker Needs

Back in the Office? 3 Ergonomics Gadgets Every Office According to The Ergonomics ExpertsErgonomics Consultants, Office Assessments, | Solutions Northwest Inc.

With many remote workers returning to the office, now is a great time to ensure every employee has a proper ergonomically designed office setup!

Ergonomics design in the office includes everything from the number of windows to the type of mouse an office worker is given. And when it comes to workplace safety, comfort, and productivity – every detail is important!

In this blog, the ergonomics consultants at Solutions Northwest Inc. have provided a few gadgets they believe are essential for every office worker to have.

Read on to learn about ergonomics gadgets that will help to boost employee morale, maximize worker productivity, and maintain employee health.

1. Ergonomic Mouse and Keyboard

When designing an ergonomic workspace for office workers, an easy and affordable place to start is with the tools worker’s use daily – a mouse and keyboard.

Using an ergonomic keyboard and mouse helps to ease the strain on a worker’s wrist, neck, and back. It will also help reduce issues such as Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI).

When investing in an ergonomic keyboard, look for keyboards that feature two separate halves as these provide a lot more flexibility and room for adjustment.

For an ergonomic mouse, you will discover many options. For example, some are designed for either right-handed or left-handed orientations. You will also be able to find an ergonomic mouse in different sizes for a more comfortable fit. Furthermore, you may want to consider a trackball mouse, where the mouse remains stationary, and a tracker ball (aka rollerball or trackball) controls the movement of the curser.

No matter what you choose, investing in a mouse and keyboard that are specifically designed for ergonomics will help to reduce wrist strain and pain compared to the status quo devices.

2. Computer Glasses

Computer glasses are designed to help relieve sore eyes caused by digital eyestrain.

Computer glasses are designed to look like normal eyeglasses and are generally affordable. These ergonomic glasses use an anti-reflective coating designed to reduce the harsh light and screen glare of one’s computer screen. The computer glasses filter out the blue light that is emitted from your screen to help reduce negative symptoms (headaches, eyestrain, blurred vision, dry eyes, or even neck and shoulder pain) that come from staring at a screen all day for work.

Computer glasses will make it easier to protect one’s eyes and prevent digital eyestrain when working on a computer.

3. Adjustable Sit-Stand Desk

An adjustable sit-stand desk may be pricier than the other gadgets on this list, but our ergonomics consultants remind us that any investment into ergonomics and office safety will always pay out in the long run.

Ergonomics Consultants, Office Assessments, | Solutions Northwest Inc.An adjustable sit-stand desk solves the “sitting vs standing at work” debate by providing both options – sitting and standing. In fact, the ergonomics consultants at Solutions Northwest Inc. suggest that one should alternate between sitting and standing at work around every 30 minutes to avoid workplace injury. With an adjustable sit-stand desk, a worker can easily lower or raise their motorized desk at the touch of a button.

By incorporating a routine that involves both sitting and standing while working, workers will be able to improve their health and productivity throughout the workday.

Invest in Office Ergonomics for Employee Safety, Comfort, and Productivity

The gadgets and desk your employees use should always take ergonomics into account.

The benefits of investing into any ergonomics tool or furniture will always outweigh the cost when you consider the boost to employee productivity, safety, and happiness.

At Solutions Northwest Inc., we offer ergonomic consulting, education, and training. To get an ergonomic office assessment from one of our experts, contact us today. We can help you set up a plan to examine and analyze your space.

We can even help you if you have a lot of remote workers by setting up their workspaces with an affordable, virtual ergonomics assessment, which can be done remotely (all you need is access to e-mail or a smart phone).

For more information contact us at SolutionsNW.com, we will be happy to help you!

Subscribe to our ergonomics blog for more ergonomics tips from Solutions Northwest Inc., ergonomics evaluations available in: Seattle, WA, Tacoma, WA, Olympia, WA, Vancouver, WA, Kent, WA Renton, WA, Beaverton, OR, Portland, OR, Salem, OR.

Virtual Ergonomics Assessment available nationwide!

Contact the Ergonomics Experts at Solutions Northwest Inc. Below:

Multiple Locations

Corporate Office: 120 State Ave. NE #397
Olympia, WA 98501
Business Hours: 8am-5pm M-F
Corporate FAX: 360-866-4773
Email: Info@solutionsnw.com

Olympia, WA

360-236-8748

Portland/Salem, OR

503-768-9742

Seattle, WA

206-521-5676

Contact our Ergonomics Experts

How To Prevent These 3 Common Office Injuries

How To Prevent These 3 Common Office Injuries

How To Prevent These 3 Common Office Injuries

Returning to the Office – Tips to Prevent 3 Common Office Injuries from Ergonomics Consultants.Ergonomics Consultants, Office Assessments, | Solutions Northwest Inc.

Whether you are recently returning to the office after working remotely or have worked in the office for years, it is easy to forget that there are still work hazards in such a seemingly benign environment.  

Below, our ergonomics consultants will review 3 of the most common workplace injuries and how to avoid them.

1. Slip and Fall Injury

While 1 in 4 accidents in the warehousing and storage industry occur when employees fall, that doesn’t mean the office is immune from slip and fall injury. In fact, according to the National Safety Council, “research finds that ‘fall from the same level injury is one of the highest injury causes” in the workplace. These “same level” falls generally occur when one spills in the office and does not properly clean the spill.

Prevent workplace injury with a policy to always clean up spills in the office (even if the mess was caused by someone else) and post proper hazard signs on wet surfaces that are being cleaned.

Also, be mindful that not all slips will come from spilt beverages. Prevent injury by being cleaning up after wet floors from rain, exposed cords, unstable work surfaces, uneven floors, loose rugs, cluttered areas, or even dusty areas that may cause employees to slip and injure themselves.

2. Repetitive Injury Due to Improper Office Ergonomics

While most offices don’t require workers to engage in strenuous activity like lifting heavy objects, most offices do require employees to use a computer.

Working for extended hours on the computer can contribute to repetitive stress in the wrist, arthritis, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

To prevent injury at work, it is important to design an employee’s desk with ergonomics in mind. We recommend having an ergonomic assessment done by an ergonomics expert to setup a workstation designed for comfort, efficiency, and worker safety.

Ergonomics Consultants, Office Assessments, | Solutions Northwest Inc.Consider investing in an ergonomic keyboard and mouse as well as learning wrist exercises and hand stretches.

3. Fire Safety

Fire safety should never be ignored. Whether from a kitchen accident or faulty wiring, if a fire breaks out your office should be equipped to handle it.

Fire extinguishers in the appropriate places and exits that are clear of obstacles and properly marked are very important in making sure that employees can evacuate safely and in a timely fashion.

Always Have an Office Safety Plan

Make sure your Human Resources department has developed an office safety plan. If you already have one, be sure to review it annually and update it whenever changes in procedures or the office environment could create new hazards or impact existing ones.

Need help developing an office safety plan or assessing your office safety needs? At Solutions Northwest Inc., our mission is to prevent workplace conditions and injuries from developing and to intervene when prevention has stumbled.

Solutions Northwest Inc. offers the resources of highly skilled and experienced Ergonomics Consultants who are exceedingly accomplished in their field. For more information contact us at SolutionsNW.com, we will be happy to help you!

Subscribe to our ergonomics blog for more ergonomics tips from Solutions Northwest Inc., ergonomics evaluations available in: Seattle, WA, Tacoma, WA, Olympia, WA, Vancouver, WA, Kent, WA Renton, WA, Beaverton, OR, Portland, OR, Salem, OR.

Virtual Ergonomics Assessment available nationwide!

Contact the Ergonomics Experts at Solutions Northwest Inc. Below:

Multiple Locations

Corporate Office: 120 State Ave. NE #397
Olympia, WA 98501
Business Hours: 8am-5pm M-F
Corporate FAX: 360-866-4773
Email: Info@solutionsnw.com

Olympia, WA

360-236-8748

Portland/Salem, OR

503-768-9742

Seattle, WA

206-521-5676

Contact our Ergonomics Experts

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