I was hired to operate an industrial dry ice machine that produces massive blocks of dry ice.

My job involves pumping liquid carbon dioxide into a chamber, then activating a powerful press that compresses it into solid form.

Each block weighs around 25 kilograms.

Once formed, I have to lift and carry these heavy, freezing-cold blocks to the packaging area — by hand.

Let’s just say I’ve earned more than my fair share of dry ice burns.

My hands still remember.