SAFETY INDUCTION FOR WORKSHOPS

Welcome to your workshop (Forge) where you will have an enjoyable time learning, refining and sharing the basics of blacksmithing. We trust that you will enjoy your time at the forge. Do not be frightened to ask questions as others may also want to know the same thing. We will all learn from each other as we go along

Some points to ensure the workshops run smoothly:-

Cost of workshops are $15.00 if using your own steel. Steel is available from Association.

Workshops start at 10:00am and finish at 3:00pm. At completion it is required that you help sweep area and replace any equipment that you have used. Do not break the fire just switch off air. It is easier to remove the clinker when forge is cold.

Make sure your name is recorded on attendance sheet.

Register your attendance for each workshop.

Amenities are a short walk from the forge.

Remember that you will be sharing the forge with other members.

Work as a team and keep the fire suitable for you both. If you need more heat check if it is OK as the other person may have lighter work in the fire than you.

Be familiar with the location of the fire extinguishers. Emergency assembly area is the pony club’s shed. Know where the emergency exits are located.

SAFETY

Safety cannot be emphasized enough. You will be working with fire, hot metal, flying sparks, sharp tools, your own safety;

• Wear safety glasses at all times
• Wear hearing protection
• Gloves can be used for carrying and shifting steel. May be used when forging only on the non hammer hand as a glove on hammer hand can cause loss of grip on hammer or tools. Do not use synthetic or rubber gloves as they will melt and cause severe burning. Leather or cotton gloves are most suitable.
• Footwear should be leather and fully enclosed. Safety boots/shoes are most suitable.
• Leather aprons are provided for those who feel they need to wear one. They offer protection from sparks and hot metal. Ensure that all straps are secured.
• Clothing should not be synthetic as it melts. All clothing to be cotton or wool.
• Once you have finished using an anvil bottom tool, especially the hardie (hot or cold cut off), remove it from the anvil before you continue hammering. This is a sharp edge pointing up to the bottom of your hammering hand and you could get seriously cut.
• Be sure that you do not heat any metal that has an air pocket in it, such as a tube with both ends closed, or a tool that has had a hole welded shut. Air expands with heating and you could have an explosion of hot pieces.
• Use tongs that fit the metal you are holding precisely. They should fit the size and shape of the metal you are holding. If they don’t, that hot piece of metal can fly out when you hit it, and for some reason, it usually heads for the face.
• When you have finished using the post vice, close the jaws and put the handle in a vertical position. Do not lean on the vice jaws as your hand could get pinched and if recently used the heat absorbed in the vice can cause a burn.
• If you do get burned, put the burned area into cold water as soon as possible. The quench tub can be used to cool off a burn. It pulls the heat out of the burn and the oxygen in the water helps it to heal. If more than a light burn first aid / medical attention.
• Cool off tools before hanging them up.

• Do not heat galvanized metal as it produces toxic fumes which are detrimental to your health.
• DO NOT leave protruding material in any vice or quench bucket. This will prevent spearing of yourself or anyone else.
• The wearing of rings, watches and adornments must be avoided when working in the forge.
• No unsafe behavior shall be tolerated e.g.:- messing around, distracting persons operating any machinery, tampering with safety equipment, misuse of tools and equipment, being under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Do not use any equipment or machinery unless properly trained.
• Do not throw tools, place all tools on to benches or back into rack. Hammers and tongs placed so that they are always within reach.
• Harassing other members is not allowed and will be dealt with by the committee.
• Be mindful not to use offensive language in the forge. Refrain from using it if requested to do so, respect the feelings of others.

Forging Guidelines

• When removing your work from the fire to the anvil, check for other people in the near vicinity and hold the hot part down towards the floor.
• When you remove your work from the fire, cut back the air flow to the forge to preserve coke.
• Whilst forging, keep your fire covered with cold black coke. This cuts down radiant heat and gets your work hotter in shorter time.
• Keep the floor around you free of tools and equipment.
• Don’t leave hot metal laying around where someone can pick it up.
• For your own safety, don’t walk between forges and anvils when they are in use.
• If you are to pass near to a smith at work, make them aware that you are near or passing by.