Blacksmiths in Tien Loc commune struggle to make a living in the scorching heat. Photo: Hoang Dong
Mr. Kieu Van Viet, a long-time blacksmith here, said: “This job is very hard. In the winter, sitting next to the furnace makes your face chapped, and in the summer, it is unbearably hot. Especially during peak heat waves, your face is so hot that it burns, you sweat like you are taking a shower, sometimes it is so hot and tiring that you have difficulty breathing, you have to rest after working for a while.”
The scorching sun makes everyone suffocated, but the workers here still cannot stop working. In the small forge, smoke, dust and ash billow up. The sound of hammers and anvils resounds, drowning out the sound of cicadas chirping in the garden. However, the blacksmiths, whether men or women, are used to this sweltering heat. The sun makes their backs darker and their hands more calloused, but it cannot dampen the will of the blacksmiths. Because more than anyone, they understand that each forged blade is an extra full meal. In the corner of the forge, Ms. Hoang Thi Ca shared: "If we don't work, we won't have any income. Moreover, this is the family's traditional profession, from childhood to adulthood we have only done blacksmithing, so we cannot give it up."
To cope with two fires: “heavenly fire” and “furnace fire”, blacksmiths often have to wake up early in the morning, taking advantage of the time when the sun is not too hot to work until 10am then rest. In the afternoon, around 4pm, when the sun is less hot, they continue their work. There are days when they work continuously, their backs are wet as if drenched in rain, their legs are unsteady, but they still try to stay by the furnace. Every blacksmith covers his face tightly, his head is covered with a wet towel to avoid being shocked by the temperature, but his eyes still sting from the coal ash and dust.
Not only that, working in high temperature environments such as forges can easily lead to heatstroke and sunstroke. The body loses water quickly, causing blacksmiths to become exhausted, dizzy, and even faint if they do not rest and rehydrate in time. The intense heat of the forge can also cause skin damage. Coal smoke and metal dust from the forging process will threaten the lungs and respiratory tract of the worker. For older blacksmiths or those with underlying diseases, heat stress can also cause the heart to work too hard, increasing the risk of stroke.
To reduce the hardship and health burden for workers, some forging facilities in Tien Loc commune have invested in steam hammers and ventilation fans. Mr. Trinh Van Hiep in Son village said: “Previously, I had to stand for 3-4 hours to complete a hoe blade. Now with the hammer machine, it only takes more than 1 hour. The hammer machines help reduce the workers' labor, forge faster, more evenly and also help us reduce back pain and shoulder fatigue.”
Born and raised in a blacksmith village, understanding the hardships of blacksmiths on hot days, Director of XR Tan Loc Tai Company Limited Pham Van Tien invested in a factory with a ventilation system, steam fans and modern machinery and equipment such as hammers, grinders, steel cutters, and blade presses to support the workers.
“In previous years, the workers used to hammer until they were exhausted. Now, thanks to the stamping machine and the industrial fan system, the heat in the furnace is much less intense. In addition, I also equip the workers with safety helmets with face shields, heat-resistant gloves and exhaust fans. I also always remind the workers to take breaks in between and drink mineral water to avoid dehydration. On very hot days, I reduce the working hours at noon, only working in the morning and late afternoon.”
Although machines cannot completely replace the skillful hands of blacksmiths, they help Tien Loc blacksmiths have more opportunities to maintain their profession in the context of declining health and increasing age.
The sun was still blazing hot. The cicadas in the garden were still chirping, the sound of hammers and anvils still echoed through the blacksmith village. The craftsmen, though their hands were blackened and their shoulders were sore, still stood steadfastly by the furnace, preserving the profession of their ancestors.
Phuong Do
Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/muu-sinh-giua-hai-luoi-lua-250707.htm
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