Just like many other professions, safety is one of the most important things to consider when it comes to blacksmithing. Blacksmithing almost always involve working with dangerously hot metals that could cause accidents. Apart from scalding hot metals, blacksmithing involves hammering on metals that send hot sparks flying. So, there are some essential forging safety rules blacksmiths must keep in mind.
In other words, blacksmiths are regularly exposed to dangers and hazards relating to their field. They are exposed to a lot of hazards and prone to several injuries. The typical occupational hazards of blacksmithing include joint injuries, gas poisoning, chemical injuries, burns, risk of hearing and sight loss, as well as fume fever.
Quick Overview
When it comes to blacksmithing, burns are part of the significant concern. Burn accidents can vary from mild to severe. Other than skin burns, the hot sparks generated during hammering can also cause eye damage. There are other hazardous conditions blacksmiths need to know. Likewise, a fire outbreak is probable since blacksmiths work with fire in the forge.
Another instance is burning of fossil fuels which can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, and ultimately result in death. Some injuries come from repeating the same movement over and over again, especially when the technique is wrong. Joint injuries can result from maintaining a particular posture for too long. It can also happen when a blacksmith accidentally hit a part of his body during blacksmithing.
Similarly, ear damage can result from the repeated loud noise that comes from various blacksmithing processes. Loud noise often comes from the hammering and grinding processes, as well as the use of high-powered machines.
Considering the number of hazards associated with the blacksmithing profession, the importance of observing specific safety measures cannot be overemphasized. Learning about forging safety rules is a critical part of blacksmithing lessons.
Here are some safety measures to keep in mind; they might save your life or a friend’s someday:
Handle All Materials with Care
One of the golden forging safety rules of blacksmithing is that not all dark metals are cold. A good rule of thumb is to treat every piece of metal in the forge as a substance in a hot state.
This treatment is essential to bear in mind because certain metals like steel might not be glowing red but might still be warm enough to harm you. So, the extra care when handling metals in your forge is imperative.
This rule is one of the significant reasons why blacksmiths are strongly advised to use protective gloves while working with the forge.
Use Protective Accessories While Working in the Blacksmithing Shop
During hammering and forging processes, wearing safety glasses to protect your eyes from hot sparks is non-negotiable. Wearing a protective clothing is essential, especially during hammering, when hot flashes are generated.
Also, having a mask on during forging, to protect your sinus airways from black soot and fine ash, is very important. The standard blacksmithing protective accessories includes;
Apron
Apron is one of the materials that can help you maintain forging safety rules. It usually protects the frontal part of the body from the chest down to the knee. It also protects your regular clothes by absorbing all the dirt. Likewise, you should avoid the use of synthetic clothing. The use of natural clothing materials like wools and cotton is more appropriate.
Goggles and Protective Eye Glasses
There are a lot of eyeglasses that are specifically made to suit the blacksmithing process. Not all eyeglasses are capable of offering you the necessary protection; hence, it is crucial to buy the ones that are designed explicitly for blacksmithing processes. While some of these glasses are darkly shaded, some others are transparent. However, the most important thing is to get a safety glass that will protect you from all eye-related hazards, including UV rays.
Gloves
The importance of protective gloves in blacksmithing cannot be overemphasized. Blacksmiths usually handle a lot of hot objects and materials; consequently, they need to protect their palms. Their fingers are also protected by the use of a suitable blacksmith glove. Never take the risk of picking up steel that has passed through the forge with your bare hand.
Safety Boots
Boots are usually essential for the protection of the feet. Hot or heavy objects can accidentally fall on the foot of a blacksmith. Hence, boots will protect the leg and limit the extent of the damage. It will also minimize the degree of injury if you accidentally step on sharp or hot metals.
Protect Your Ears Using Earplugs
Hearing protection is essential and it will help you to keep one of the most vital forging safety rules. All the noise from hammering can easily damage your hearing. So, always remember to use earplugs. Many blacksmiths often make the mistake of overlooking this accessory because the effects are not immediate.
The ear damage caused by repeated noise from blacksmithing is accumulative. It can take months or even years before the impact of the damage becomes very obvious.
The bad part of these kinds of injuries is that the effects are usually lethal once they start becoming evident.
Use Appropriate Hammering Technique
Repetitive hammer swinging can result in serious injuries if proper care and precautions are not taken. As a blacksmith, it is your responsibility to be conscious of proper form and technique during hammering. This is not only one of the crucial forging safety rules, it is also vital for your processes.
Any unusual pain in your hands, elbows or shoulder should be reported to your doctor immediately. Additionally, it is a good idea to pause once in a while, to stretch out, change positions, and do something different.
Maintaining the same posture for a very long time can be detrimental to the functionality of your skeletal system.
Make Sure That You Have Proper Ventilation In Your Blacksmithing Shop
Proper ventilation is also critical. Whatever fuel is being used, there is still a risk of generation of carbon monoxide, which can be poisonous.
Proper ventilation will allow adequate and appropriate circulation of air. It will also prevent the accumulation of these toxic gasses that can cause those in the shop to choke or lose consciousness.
These gasses can also cause damage to internal respiratory organs such as the lungs. You can make use of natural ventilation by allowing free exchange of gasses with appropriate sizes of windows and other outlets.
Another alternative to this is artificial ventilators and respirators. However, artificial ventilation is relatively more expensive compared to natural forms.
Pay Attention to Your Body
The body of humans is not like robots. The body needs adequate rest for it to function at an optimal level.
Take occasional breaks and change positions frequently. It is also advisable to go to a cold room for brief breaks.
Avoid working in the blacksmithing shop when your body is demanding rest. Do not work when you are tired, dizzy, hungry, high, sick, and when you are finding it difficult to pay attention.
Likewise, avoid taking alcohol or getting intoxicated while working in the blacksmithing shop. You should ensure that your body is in perfect condition and your mind in an ideal state while working.
Keep your hair at the back (especially if it’s long) and pay attention to other extensions.
Keep a First Aid Kit Within Your Reach
After ensuring that forging safety rules are obeyed, it is smart to remind yourself that a career in blacksmithing comes with minor burns, cuts, scratches, etc. No matter how hard you try or how careful you are, there is a high probability that you will get minor injuries in the workshop at one point or the other.
Therefore, it is advisable to have a first aid kit with proper burn and cut remedies, ice packs for injuries as well, and salted water for heat stress. The first aid kit can contain materials such as methylated spirit, bandage, and cotton wool.
The materials in this first aid kit will serve as your first response in case of an accident. Nevertheless, having a first aid kit is not the same as self-medication or the use of drugs.
Likewise, it doesn’t eliminate the need to consult suitable professional medical practitioners for further treatment.
Use Only Functional Tools
Functional tools will not only help you to get the best working results, but also ensure your safety and mitigate the possibility of accidents that can lead to mechanical injuries.
Avoid the use of damage or malfunctioning tools such as hammers, anvils, and so on. Aside from the fact that using damaged tools will reduce your productivity, it will also cost you more effort and expose you to more hazards.
For instance, a hammer with a loose head might fly off during hammering, causing injury. Other tools that require special attention include forge, grinder, tongs, and vise.
Only Use Suitable Tools for Specific Tasks
One of the common mistakes that make blacksmiths vulnerable to accidents and hazards is the act of tool substitution. For instance, imagine using pliers in place of tongs or attempting to use a vise in place of an anvil.
Although it might work in some cases, it only exposes you to hazards in most cases. Avoid using unsuitable alternatives, especially for delicate processes.
Use specific tools to suit every work type. For instance, while lifting a hot and heavy object, make sure you are using the appropriate tong.
Always avoid the occasion of striking a hardened surface with a similar set tool. Ensure that the two materials you are using are compatible.
Quench All Flames After Work
The forge is one of the prevalent sources of fire outbreaks in blacksmithing shops. Wind and other environmental factors can move hot coal, wood, and other leftovers in the forge to where they can ignite other materials.
Never leave the workshop with the fire of the forge still burning. Ensure you completely put out this fire regardless of the type of forge you are using. Note that this is one of the most crucial forging safety rules.
Only Use Tools that You Can Handle
This precaution is crucial for beginners and other categories of blacksmiths that are still learning to use one tool or the other. Ensure that you have adequate knowledge of all the tools and machines in the blacksmithing shop before attempting to work with them.
If you have to try new tools, make sure you do it under proper supervision until you can get a mastery of it. In fact, it is not advisable to try out self-practice until you have enough knowledge of the tool.
Ensure you understand the entire manufacturer’s instruction of any device or tool you want to use in the blacksmithing shop. It is particularly essential if you are using the instrument for the first time.
Ensure Proper Handling of Hammers
There are different types of hammers, and their mode of handling varies slightly. Their applications are also different.
Also, take necessary precautions and inspect properly before handling any hammer. Before using a particular hammer, always ensure that the hammer’s head is appropriately attached to the handle.
This precaution will prevent the occasion of any part of the hammer flying off and causing damage. The damage can be fatal because you are flinging hammers toward and across your face.
Use Suitable Protective Materials for Various Tasks
How do you intend to obey forging safety rules without protective materials? Never underestimate the importance of using protective accessories while working in the blacksmithing shop. Integrate it into every aspect of your blacksmithing to increase your safety level.
Aside from general accessories, some tasks require specific materials. For instance, using ear protection is crucial during hammering but might not be needed for polishing.
Prepare the Anvil Surface Before an Operation
Always clean the surface of your anvil before proceeding with any blacksmithing process. Remove all particles and grease that can cause any problem while working in the blacksmithing shop.
Aside from the fact that a rough anvil surface can interfere with your processes, it also exposes you to a degree of hazard. It can cause materials to fly off from its surface.
Ensure Proper Layout
Ensuring proper layout is one of the crucial ways to ensure safety in your blacksmithing workshop. Do not work in a clumsy workshop. Ensure that the entire work environment is tidy and free from obstacles.
Also, it is best to have specific places where you keep certain materials. Ensuring this will enhance organization and mitigate clumsiness.
Likewise, keep all tools and materials in strategic places that ensure safety. For instance, avoid keeping wooden and highly flammable materials near your forge. Avoid throwing tools and materials around the workshop while working or after project completion.
Pick up and discard all sharp and potentially dangerous objects you find lying on the floor of your blacksmithing shop.
Take Note of Moving Mechanical Parts
You should be careful with all revolving parts while working in the blacksmithing shop. You should avoid any form of contact with these revolving parts as long as it is still moving.
When working with various tools like grinders, watch your body parts and prevent them from making accidental contact with the machine.
Use Safe Structures
Include some safety plans in the structure of your workshop. These structural safety measures include:
- Allow proper ventilation in the workshop.
- Use a double door to allow exit during an emergency, adequate space, organized arrangement.
- The use of suitable construction materials.
Don’t use flammable materials in the build of certain parts of your blacksmithing shop. Avoid slippery flooring and heat-retaining walls.
Make it a Habit to Carry Out Routine Maintenance
Carrying out routine maintenance will not only keep things in order. It will also ensure that the tools are in perfect conditions at all times. This routine will also make it easy for forging safety rules to become an habit.
Ensure that you carry out a routine check on all electrical appliances and electrical connections in your workshop. Inspect all mechanical materials and ensure that they are in perfect working condition.
Lubricate all essential moving parts, smoothing all surfaces, and carry out further routine maintenance.
Regulate External Access to Your Blacksmithing Shop
No one can know your shop better than you. Also, not everyone will understand the safety rules and precautions of the blacksmith shop. They can do things that will expose them and others to potential hazards.
Ensure you correctly orientate and monitor any visitor you allow into your workshop to ensure they follow all your safety guidelines.
Prevent them from touching sensitive materials like grinders. Keep them any from zones where you keep your forge and other hot metals.
Treat All Metals as Hot
Prevention is better than cure. It is best to treat all metals as hot to avoid burns resulting from mishandling of hot materials.
If you are not sure of any metal’s temperature, you can hold your hand over it. Keep it few inches away and closer until you can have a feeling of the temperature.
Never trust your gloves to protect you from hot metals. At high temperatures, some metals can melt gloves and burn your palm.
Have First Response Materials in your workshop
Accidents are sometimes inevitable in the blacksmith workshop. Regardless of how careful or cautious you are, you can’t assure the safety of others.
Therefore, there is a need to provide emergency responses. It is often essential for physical injuries.
A standard health kit will be the first response in case of any emergency. It will help you to mitigate the extent of damage by providing the first medical response.
Learn Flame Control
Regardless of the type of forge you are using, it is crucial to learn about flame control. Most fire outbreaks and release of fumes start as a result of uncontrolled forge flames.
If you are using a solid fuel forge, ensure that the flame is directed away from you. Always put the flame under control and don’t let it go out of control at any point.
Keep your propane forge in a well-ventilated area and ensure that all fittings are tight enough to avoid a leak. You can test the leak of propane forge by pressurizing and sprinkling some soapy water on the connecting pipes.
The pipes are usually pressurized; keep them away from fire and heat.
Take a Break, Relax, and Restart
Many blacksmiths often overlook this part of safety precautions. You don’t have to get tired before you rest. Taking regular breaks by stretching and getting some fresh air will protect you from most ergonomic hazards.
Take about 20-45 minutes break at intervals to do something different and breathe fresh air. Relax your muscles before resuming operations.
The break, relax, and restart cycle will prevent joint injuries. It also mitigates the vulnerability to other ergonomic hazards.
Learn Before Starting
Blacksmithing is not one of those crafts you can start without acquiring adequate knowledge. You might injure yourself and others when you attempt any process without proper guide and orientation.
Make Safety Your Priority
All these safety precautions are easy to keep when safety comes first in everything you do. Make it your priority, and ensure you check yourself from time to time. You can make a list of all these precautions and paste it at strategic points within and outside your workshop.
Always remember that safety is one of the major pillars of the blacksmithing trade.
Conclusion
Finally, this list is endless with some of the safety guides being of great importance; what works best for every blacksmith is best known by him or her. Additionally, occasional trips to the doctor go a long way in ensuring you do not wake up one day and realize that you have fallen sick.
Likewise, learning about these safety measures alone is not enough. Putting these safety measures to use in your everyday blacksmithing practices is also of paramount importance. It is essential to integrate this practice into the blacksmithing process every time to avoid cumulative damage.
Not all hazards or loss can give an instant effect. Some of these damages only give accumulative results. Hazards like fire and burns can give immediate expression and impact. In contrast, others like those that lead to ear impairment, eye damage, and gas poisoning can accumulate over a certain period before giving any noticeable effect.
Overall, the health of all blacksmiths is of paramount importance in the profession. You should always have it at the back of your mind that your health and safety come first. Likewise, all parts of your body are of equal importance, and they are necessary for all blacksmithing processes.