Safety Guidelines
Your safety is our top priority. Understanding and following these guidelines ensures a safe and enjoyable blacksmithing experience for everyone.
Emergency Protocol
In case of serious injury or emergency: Call 911 immediately. Notify the instructor and do not attempt to move seriously injured persons unless there is immediate danger.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
👓 Eye Protection
- • Safety glasses or face shields are mandatory at all times
- • Must meet ANSI Z87.1 standards
- • Side shields required when grinding or using power tools
- • Prescription glasses must have safety lenses or be worn under safety glasses
🥾 Foot Protection
- • Closed-toe shoes required - no sandals, flip-flops, or open shoes
- • Leather boots preferred for heat resistance
- • Steel-toed boots recommended but not required
- • High-top shoes provide better ankle protection
👕 Clothing Requirements
- • Natural fibers only - cotton, wool, leather
- • No synthetic materials (polyester, nylon) - they melt
- • Long pants required
- • Remove loose jewelry, especially rings
- • Tie back long hair
🧤 Hand Protection
- • Leather gloves for handling warm (not hot) metal
- • Never wear gloves when operating machinery
- • Remove gloves when using hand tools for better grip
- • Heat-resistant gloves for specific operations only
🔥 Fire Safety
Forge Operation
- • Never leave a lit forge unattended
- • Know location of fire extinguishers and how to use them
- • Keep work area clear of flammable materials
- • Proper ventilation is essential
- • Turn off gas valves when not in use
Hot Metal Handling
- • "Hot iron looks like cold iron" - always assume metal is hot
- • Use proper tongs for all heated metal
- • Announce "Hot!" when carrying heated work
- • Place hot work in designated cooling areas
- • Never touch metal to test temperature
🔨 Tool Safety
Hammer Techniques
- • Maintain secure grip on hammer handle
- • Check hammer head tightness before use
- • Never hammer hardened surfaces
- • Keep hammer face clean and dressed
- • Use appropriate hammer size for the task
- • Strike square to prevent glancing blows
- • Be aware of others in your striking radius
- • Never use damaged hammers
Anvil Safety
- • Ensure anvil is properly secured and at correct working height
- • Keep anvil face clean and free of debris
- • Never strike the anvil with hardened tools
- • Be aware of flying scale and sparks
🏭 Workshop Environment
General Workshop Rules
- • Keep work areas clean and organized
- • Follow instructor guidance at all times
- • Ask questions if unsure about any procedure
- • Report unsafe conditions immediately
- • No running in the workshop
- • Stay alert and focused
Prohibited Items
- • Alcohol or drugs (prescription medication should be disclosed)
- • Synthetic clothing materials
- • Loose jewelry
- • Open-toed shoes
- • Headphones or earbuds
- • Food or drinks in work areas
🏥 First Aid & Injury Prevention
Common Injuries & Prevention
- • Burns: Most common injury - always use tongs, wear proper clothing
- • Cuts: Keep tools sharp and clean, cut away from body
- • Eye injuries: Always wear safety glasses
- • Inhalation: Ensure proper ventilation
If Injury Occurs
- • Stop work immediately
- • Alert instructor and other students
- • Apply appropriate first aid if trained
- • Call 911 for serious injuries
- • Document incident for insurance purposes
Safety Acknowledgment
By participating in blacksmithing classes, you acknowledge that you understand these safety guidelines and agree to follow them at all times. Blacksmithing involves inherent risks, and while we strive to minimize them through proper instruction and safety protocols, participants engage in these activities at their own risk.
These guidelines are based on industry best practices and OSHA standards for metalworking operations. Individual instructors may have additional safety requirements specific to their workshops.