1. Clearly, the Frontline program is proof that crappy, dangerous, physically demanding jobs are wanted and held by Americans. And stick with it.
2. Foundry work is inherently filthy, dirty, smelly, extremely dangerous, physically demanding and unforgiving of human error. Your head better be paying attention and be on constant swivel, else loose it, along with some appendages.
Did I mention that the working conditions are not pleasant. By jove no air conditioning!
3. Having spent 2 years as an electrician student/apprentice in a very large foundry behind the Iron Curtain, the working conditions Frontline described would have been considered cushy and mellow by me and those I worked with.
4. While the described management attitude may be as described, PBS tends to present biased whiny points of view, in my opinion.