A history of accident prevention posters revealed
Public safety warnings are perhaps most memorably heeded through the gruesome and grainy Central Office of Information films of the 1970s, or maybe company health and safety videos.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has just exhumed a collection of posters from its archive and selected 40 from the 1930s to the 1970s. We’re sure some of these will have brought on similar feelings of fear and obedience.
Over 700 were discovered in one place when the RoSPA says it was ‘clearing out its old warehouse.’ Lets hope there was clear signage, ladders were used correctly and everyone wore gloves.
Artists who worked on the posters include Tom Eckersley and Leonard Cusden and the cartoonist George Smith, better known as Gus.
The huge haul of content means the show will also plot a social history of the things we were bothered about, or the things which posed a threat, and visually messages have been executed in a way which broadly reflects graphic trends of the time.
The RoSPA Collection will run from 15-17 May at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel, Birmingham, B40
As a Safety Rep I found the same message portrayed but in a different format to modern day posters. I believe they would encourage the viewer to look deeper into the meaning and reason the poster is displayed. Well Done. Peter McGreevy
As someone in the creative industry who has designed for the Health and Safety profession, I find these posters a real treat! Not only does it show the talented minds of the eras in which they were created, it also shows the difference in design and messaging today on Health and Safety marketing materials. Can’t wait to see more of these. Great find RoSPA. Julie Edge.