Make Haste Safely

This striking World War II safety poster delivers a sobering reminder of the consequences of carelessness in wartime industry. A young worker, his head heavily bandaged from an accident, stares directly at the viewer with a stern, haunting expression. The accompanying message reads: “America is the loser, too—when avoidable accidents stop production. The U.S. Army says ‘Make Haste Safely.’” The poster connects individual injury not just to personal loss, but to the nation’s war effort, reinforcing the idea that safety in the workplace was as critical to victory as combat on the front lines.Produced for the U.S. Army during the war years, this poster was part of a widespread campaign to reduce industrial accidents in factories, shipyards, and assembly lines. With demand for war materials at an all-time high, every worker was essential, and injuries threatened both production schedules and national morale. The bold use of color, dramatic portraiture, and direct language made the message