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Safety

Lost & Found

Blacksmithing has a number of dangers associated with it, keep them in mind and, especially when trying something new, take a moment and imagine what could go wrong, what could fly, what could drop, what's going to be hot and where, then adjust your actions to minimize the repercussions.

Since we can't control all of our students' actions, we have a "Release and Waiver of Responsibility" that all our students are required to sign before taking classes. Feel free to print it out and bring a signed copy with you to your first class, or you can sign it in our office.

Smithing can be loud, ear protection is a really good idea. We require all students to wear hearing protection, and have a variety of types of ear muffs and ear plugs available. If you have something suitable of your own, feel free to bring it. Due too previous bad experiences on our parts, we may be a bit excessive about hearing protection; we're trying to make darned sure that you don't damage your hearing in our shop!

We're working with fire, you can get burned. Either by the fire directly or by things that have been heated in it. Most people recognize fire and glowing metal items as being hot and avoid them by a learned reponse; the biggest danger in this regard is the unsuspected piece of hot, but black, iron. Occasional minor burns are to be expected, though. Suitable caution and modest protective clothing (described below), should be sufficient to avoid anything worse.

Many things in the forge, both tools and stock, are sharp; you can cut yourself, both by tools that are supposed to be sharp and by bits of work or stock that may or may not be intentionally sharp.

Lots of force is frequently being applied in an abrupt fashion. Sometimes objects suddenly take flight. Sometimes those objects are small. Eye protection is required. Sometimes bigger objects are involved, and they drop more than they fly. Solid shoes are a good idea; closed toe shoes are required.

Proper attire is required: closed toe shoes (preferably leather, preferably high-topped), natural fiber clothing, long pants that cover the tops of the shoes.
If you imagine that someone will be tossing hot gravel at you and that you don't want it to lodge anywhere [such as in your shoe], you'll be thinking along the correct lines. It won't really be that bad, but even ONE burning cinder inside your shoe is too many.

Dangly things like long hair and some jewelry will need to be restrained.

Leather aprons, safety glasses, and earplugs will be provided.

We have a water cooler and a small fridge with sodas and teas. Feel free to bring your own bottle of water, sports bottle, or travel mug.

Oh, and remember that blacksmithing is work. You will sweat, you will get dirty; dress accordingly. The first time out, you will end up sore, and there's a fair chance you'll get a friction blister or two on your hammer hand.