1 min read

Retro Safety

I was visiting a customer of ours in Denver this week. They're an HVAC contractor and we were camped out in one of their conference rooms where they teach their service technicians. On the walls, among posters of air conditioning diagrams were a couple of safety posters. At first glance they look like they're from the 1950s and ’60s, but upon closer inspection, they're from 2016! The only credit I can find on the internet is the copywriter, John Wrend.

Sadly, the original microsite where Grainger had these posters is gone, but I managed to track down the full set.

Illustration of a padlock shaped like a human eye with text that reads “give the lock… A SECOND LOOK,” promoting safety awareness from Grainger.
Illustration of an injured construction worker emerging from unstable scaffolding, with text reading “Make sure it’s SECURE” and “Scaffolding safety starts with you!” promoting workplace safety from Grainger.
Silhouette of a hard hat filled with workers using ladders, accompanied by the text “KEEP LADDER SAFETY TOP OF MIND,” promoting safe ladder practices from Grainger.
Cartoon-style illustration of a person getting their arm caught in a machine with the guard removed, alongside the text “DON’T LET YOUR MACHINE GUARD DOWN,” promoting machine safety from Grainger.
Worker in full arc flash protective gear stands in front of a red-orange explosion graphic, with bold text reading “Arc flashes kill” and a warning to stay prepared, promoting electrical safety from Grainger.
Illustration of a shocked electrical outlet with a zigzagging yellow wire above it and the text “Using the wrong wires can be SHOCKING,” promoting electrical wiring safety from Grainger.
Painterly illustration of a confident construction worker wearing a full-body safety harness with the text “Don it Properly!” promoting proper fall protection from Grainger.
Cartoon-style illustration of a distracted forklift driver on a phone causing falling boxes and a spilled drink, with the text “FOCUSED DRIVERS ARE SAFE DRIVERS,” promoting powered truck safety from Grainger.
Stylized illustration of a person wearing a yellow respirator mask with the text “WEAR YOUR RESPIRATOR! AND BREATHE EASY,” promoting respiratory safety from Grainger.
Retro-style poster featuring a surprised man’s face with the text “IGNORE HAZARDS, INVITE HAZCOM” above various hazardous chemical containers, promoting hazard communication safety from Grainger.
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illustration
posters
graphic design
retro

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