How dangerous is bronze casting?

Been looking to get into bronze casting(I have no experience with metal atm) and was asking my grandfather who was a blacksmith, who discouraged it and showed me his many scars, burn marks and steel pin reinforced finger which he almost had to get shortened. I thought it was (somewhat) safe so to cast on a smaller scale so long as you took proper safety precautions (gloves, apron, sturdy boots good tongs, face shield etc) but am now wondering how likely it is that I seriously injure myself?