Factory Wives

Braving the noise, fumes and danger: a trip into the heart of darkness of a West Midlands forge shop.

Outside the Vaughan Brothers drop forge in Willenhall Sue Jay meets three women whose husbands work inside. Never before have they ventured inside the maelstrom of noise and fury that is the Victorian drop forge. Once inside the women soon realise why their husbands have been going deaf during their long hours in the stamping shop. They discover that none of the men are wearing the ear protectors on offer - a macho act of bravado that will have long term consequences.