Short answer: generally low risk, with a few real hazards
Leatherworking is generally a low-risk hobby. The most common injuries are knife cuts to the hands. The other hazards are leather dust, solvent glues and dyes, and fumes from some laser cutting. Simple habits reduce each of them. This is general guidance. For any product you use, read the safety data sheet (SDS) from the manufacturer.
Knife safety
- Cut away from your body. Keep your free hand behind the blade and off the cut line.
- Keep the fingers that hold the ruler on top of it, not overhanging the cutting edge.
- A sharp blade is safer than a dull one. A dull blade needs more force, and force makes slips more likely.
- A cut-resistant glove on the hand holding the leather or ruler can reduce injuries. It doesn’t replace careful technique.
- Keep blade guards on when knives are stored, and don’t leave loose blades on the bench.
- Fatigue and rushing cause many cuts. Take breaks during long cutting or stitching sessions.
Leather dust
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies leather dust as a Group 1 carcinogen, which is linked to cancers of the nose and sinuses. Most of that evidence comes from long-term workplace exposure. Hobby exposure is usually much lower, but it’s still sensible to control dust.
When you sand edges or use a power sander, wear an N95 or FFP2 mask or better, and use dust extraction if you have it. Clean up with a vacuum, ideally with a HEPA filter, or a damp cloth. Don’t sweep, because sweeping stirs the dust into the air.
Glues, solvents and dyes
- Solvent contact cements contain flammable solvents. Use them with good ventilation, away from flames and sparks, and close the lid between uses. Opening a window may not be enough in a small room.
- Water-based contact cements reduce fume exposure. They aren’t hazard-free, so read the SDS anyway.
- Alcohol and spirit dyes are flammable and give off vapors. Use them with ventilation.
- Wear nitrile gloves when you use dyes and solvents. Latex resists solvents poorly.
Fire hazards: rags and lighters
- Lay oily rags flat outdoors to dry, rather than bundling them up. Rags with drying oils, such as linseed oil, can self-ignite.
- Don’t use a lighter to melt thread near solvent glue or alcohol dye.
Lasers and fumes
Don’t laser-cut chrome-tanned leather. Its fumes can contain chromium compounds and other toxins. Even veg-tan produces smoke, so use strong extraction and ventilation when you laser-cut it. For more on laser cutting, see what you can use to cut leather and what laser is best for leather.
Eyes and hands when striking tools
Wear safety glasses when you strike chisels, stamps and setters. Tools can chip or bounce. Strike with a poly or rawhide mallet, not a steel hammer, which can mushroom the handles and tops of your tools.
Children and shared spaces
Supervise children around knives, punches and solvents. Store blades, glues and dyes where children can’t reach them.
When to get medical help
Get medical care promptly for a deep cut, a cut that keeps bleeding, or signs of infection. If you feel unwell after working with solvent glue or dye, move to fresh air and seek medical advice.
For the tools you need, see essential leatherworking tools. For safe cutting technique, see how to cut straight lines in leather. For handling scraps and dust, see what to do with leather scraps.