Scope & Purpose

This checklist defines a complete safety workflow for any material with a hazard consideration irritants, flammables, fume producing substances, sensitizers, or chemicals requiring controlled handling.

• Material identification – hazard type, SDS review

• PPE selection – gloves, eye protection, respiratory protection

• Ventilation & environment – extraction, airflow, heat source avoidance

• Safe handling practices – ratios, mixing rules, hygiene

• Storage of hazardous materials – labelling, sealing, separation

• Spill & emergency response – containment, first aid, emergency contacts

• Safe disposal – waste rules, local regulations

• Training & awareness – briefings, onboarding

• Review & compliance – SDS updates, incident logging

Symptoms When This Process Is Not Followed

• Skin, eye, or respiratory irritation

• Fire or chemical exposure risk

• Accidental exposure to family members or pets

• Unsafe storage conditions

• Improvised spill responses

• Incorrect disposal of hazardous waste

Root Causes

• Using materials without checking the SDS

• Treating PPE as optional

• Working with fumes in unventilated spaces

• Storing hazardous materials alongside household items

• Mixing materials without confirmation

• No spill response plan

• Disposing hazardous waste in general rubbish

• Allowing untrained team members to handle materials

Problems This Checklist Solves

• Safety risks from irritants, fumes, flammables, and sensitizers

• Compliance gaps due to missing SDS review or improper disposal

• Accidental exposure in home studios or shared spaces

• Fire hazards from incorrect storage

• Environmental risk from improper waste disposal

• Training inconsistencies when onboarding new team members

• Liability exposure from unsafe handling practices

• Hazard identification workflow

• SDS based safety guidance

• PPE selection and verification

• Ventilation and environmental controls

• Safe handling rules

• Secure storage requirements

• Spill and emergency response plan

• Hazardous waste disposal guidance

• Training and onboarding steps

• Compliance review and incident logging

• Identify all materials with safety considerations

• Obtain SDS or manufacturer safety guidance

• Determine hazard type (irritant, flammable, fume producing, sensitizer)

• Set up PPE before use

• Ensure adequate ventilation or extraction

• Follow manufacturer ratios and handling steps

• Avoid mixing materials unless confirmed safe

• Store materials in labelled, sealed, upright containers

• Keep hazardous materials away from heat sources

• Maintain spill response supplies nearby

• Follow correct disposal method per SDS and local regulations

• Brief all team members before unsupervised handling

• Review SDS updates and incident logs periodically

Hazards include skin irritation, eye exposure, respiratory risk from fumes, flammability, and chemical sensitivity. PPE such as gloves, eye protection, and respiratory masks reduces exposure risk.

Ventilation prevents fume buildup, and proper storage prevents fire hazards or accidental access by children, pets, or untrained individuals.

• Etsy sellers

• Solo makers

• Crafters using hazardous or fume producing materials

• Micro‑brands operating from home studios

• Small businesses onboarding their first employee or VA

This checklist supports compliance with HSE, ISO aligned safety standards, and internal safety audits by enforcing:

• SDS based handling rules

• Documented hazard identification

• PPE verification

• Controlled storage and disposal

• Incident logging and review

• Regular safety updates and training    

• Using materials without SDS review

• Skipping PPE for “quick jobs”

• Working with fumes in closed rooms

• Storing hazardous materials near food or household items

• Mixing chemicals without confirmation

• Improvised spill responses

• Disposing hazardous waste incorrectly

• Allowing untrained staff to handle materials

Before:

A maker begins using a new resin without checking its SDS.

They work in a closed room, skip gloves, and store the resin near a heat source.

This leads to skin irritation and unsafe workspace conditions.      

After:

Using this checklist, the SDS is reviewed, PPE is set up, ventilation is ensured, and the resin is stored safely. Waste is disposed of correctly, and the material is handled confidently from the first batch.   

How do I safely handle resin, solvents, or fragrance oils?

Problem: Unknown hazards.

Cause: No SDS review.

Solution: SDS based handling, PPE, ventilation.

What PPE do I need for hazardous craft materials?

Problem: Exposure risk.

Cause: PPE skipped or mismatched.

Solution: Gloves, eye protection, respiratory masks per material type.

How do I ventilate my workspace for fume producing materials?

Problem: Respiratory irritation.

Cause: Closed rooms, poor airflow.

Solution: Extraction, open windows, manufacturer guidance.

How should hazardous materials be stored at home?

Problem: Accidental exposure.

Cause: Storing near food or shared spaces.

Solution: Secure, labelled, upright, sealed storage away from heat.

What do I do if a spill happens?

Problem: Improvised response.

Cause: No spill plan.

Solution: Containment materials + simple response procedure.

How do I dispose of leftover resin, solvents, or oils?

Problem: Environmental risk.

Cause: Disposal in general rubbish.

Solution: SDS aligned disposal + local regulations.

How do I train a new team member on material safety?

Problem: Unsafe handling.

Cause: No safety briefing.

Solution: Briefing + supervised first use + SDS access.

• Identify hazardous materials

• Check SDS

• Set up PPE

• Ensure ventilation

• Follow safe handling steps

• Store correctly

• Dispose safely

• Train team members

• Review incidents and SDS updates

• Material identification checklist

• PPE requirements

• Ventilation and environment controls

• Safe handling rules

• Hazardous material storage guidance

• Spill and emergency response steps

• Disposal requirements

• Training and awareness guidance

• Review and compliance checklist

• Troubleshooting and common mistakes

• Continuous improvement actions

Hazardous Material Storage — ESBOT Operational Checklist

COSHH/HAZMAT Storage — ESBOT Operational Checklist

Tool & Equipment Maintenance — ESBOT Operational Checklist 

A complete Safe Use of Materials checklist for Etsy sellers and small batch makers.

Covers SDS review, PPE, ventilation, safe handling, storage, spill response, and hazardous waste disposal.

Designed to reduce exposure risk, improve safety compliance, and support responsible material use in home studios and small business operations.