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ORGANIZATION The need for quick decisions leaves little room for disorganization. Tools that are needed for a specific project should be within easy reach and those that arent should be stored away so as to not hamper any work that is being done. Placement of the anvil in front of the forge depends on the specific person and how they work. Each time someone is planning to work a project they should check to see that the placement is correct. Looking above where you are working may not seem a normal thing to do, but when swinging a long hammer the ability to have a clear swing and not bump into anything can save you and your tools a lot of damage. The bench area should be kept neat and clean. Tools that have been used should be replaced where they were taken from so they won't get lost. Plans should be stored in an area that is not directly related to the forge area. The potential for the plans to be damage is great and they are difficult to replace or be reproduced. Children should not be allowed into the shop area due to their size and natural enthusiam. Things may be knocked over and flying debris may cause permanent injury. LIGHTING There should be a good light source available, but not direct sunlight. Rooms with windows are acceptable as long as the light does not directly hit the forge area. The avoidance of glare is also suggested since it can affect your visual perception of color. The tempreture to which the metal is being heated to is done visuall inspection. Improper lighting could cause someone to see a color as black when in reality it is a deep red. Burns may happen because of incorrectly judging the tempreture and the metal itself can be affected by improper heating. If someone has to work out doors on a portable furnace, then good placement under a tree that doesnt allow light through would be recommended. The other possibility would be to work on the shaded side of a building. WEATHER Inclement weather, either rain or wind can affect the usability of the equipment. Rain can rust, damage, and rot certain parts of tools. The avoidance of moisture in most smithing is avoided except during the cooling process and the wetting of the coals. Wind is another factor that can cause a great deal of trouble, on blustery days, you may have to keep the doors closed to prevent a blast of air going up the chimney pipe. A good breeze moving across the forge hearth can affect the heating of the iron, adding a greater length of time to the process and possibly a new stress to the metal. VENTILATION A smith tends to work in a small area, turning from forge to anvil and back again, so the importance of good ventilation is of the utmost. A good fact to remember is that a fire produces hazardous fumes and consumes a great deal of oxygen in the process of burning, a person can be overcome quickly, experiencing feelings of nausea, headaches, and general tiredness, there by endangering their health. Death can eventually occur if the situation is not corrected. Any symptoms reported or felt of this nature should be a warning sign of something going wrong and one should move to a more well ventilated area and contact a healer. PERSONAL SAFETY EQUIPMENT On a different note there are several things that one can wear to make sure that the potential for injury is lessened. A. Apron - An apron made from wher hide leather is a necessity. It will protect the body from stray sparks, curlings, and if some molten metal should be spilled during pouring, it will not contact the skin directly lessening the injury. The thickness of the leather should be approximately 1/16th of an inch thick and cover a person from mid chest to the knees. When cinched or tied in back the apron should wrap around the person, protecting the sides as well. No pockets should ever be on a forge worker's apron. A stray spark could possibly land in the pocket during work and start burning through the leather. B. Head Protection - All long hair should be braided and or tied back and out of the way. The head should be covered with a cloth of some variety or a leather cap to prevent the possible ignition of the hair. Under no circumstances is someone to have long facial hair when working around the forge. Facial hair should be clip neatly close to the skin if not completely shaved. C. Shoes - Shoes should be made from heavy leather material and with thick soles. It is preferred to have the slip on variety of shoe without laces the will cover the entire foot. That way if a spill occurs the shoe can be removed quickly and possibly preventing a burn from happening. D. Gloves - The same as the other protective gear, should be made of leather. Depending on personal preference they can be either a long or short gauntlet type. |