Crane Lifting Safety, Soviet Propaganda

Created by artist D.M. Agaev and published by Mashinostroyeniye (Machine Building) in Moscow in 1984, this Soviet workplace safety poster warned workers about the dangers of overloading and allowing suspended loads to swing while operating industrial lifting equipment. It was Poster No. 7 in a fourteen-part series devoted specifically to the safe operation of floor-controlled lifting mechanisms. The Russian text, “Не перегружай и не допускай раскачивания,” translates to “Do Not Overload and Do Not Allow Swinging.” The design turns a straightforward safety instruction into a dramatic warning. A large industrial nut tumbles from an overloaded lifting container, while the strong diagonal composition creates an immediate sense of dangerous movement. The bright red form behind it adds urgency and provides a bold backdrop for the warning text. Workplace safety posters were a familiar sight across the Soviet Union, displayed in factories, workshops, construction sites, and other industrial facilities. As the USSR became one of the world’s largest industrial economies, the government produced extensive educational campaigns aimed at preventing accidents and standardizing safe working practices. Posters provided a quick and inexpensive way to communicate these instructions directly on the factory floor. The detailed publishing information along the bottom is characteristic of Soviet printed material and identifies the artist, author, editors, publisher, print run, and original price of 20 kopeks. These details offer an unusually complete record of how even practical workplace graphics were centrally produced and distributed. Originally created as an everyday piece of industrial education rather than as a work of art, the poster now offers a fascinating record of Soviet working life. Its bold typography, simplified forms, and dynamic composition also demonstrate how Soviet graphic designers could transform an ordinary safety instruction into a compelling piece of visual communication. Size: 23.25" x 17.25" Artist: D. M. Agaev Condition: Very Good, Age-appropriate wear, fading and toning. Light diaganol crease in corners. Repaired tear in outer margin. General border wear. Please use the photo zoom feature to get a better understanding of overall condition. *Additional photos available upon request.