Workshop health & safety.

Last updated: 19 August 2026 · Version 1.0

By booking and attending a workshop, you will be asked to confirm that you have read and understood this information and agree to follow the workshop requirements.

1. Health & Safety

Your safety is our priority. Upholstery workshops involve the use of hand tools, staple guns, drills, electric knives, sewing machines, craft knives, spray adhesive and other equipment.

General workshop safety

• Please follow all instructions given by your workshop instructor.
• Only use equipment after you have been shown how to use it.
• If you are unsure how to use something, stop and ask the instructor.
• Wear suitable clothing and closed-toe footwear.
• Tie back long hair and secure loose clothing, scarves and jewellery.
• Keep your work area tidy and free from unnecessary items and trip hazards.
• Keep other people clear of your immediate working area when using tools.
• Use any PPE requested by the instructor, including safety glasses where appropriate.
• Do not use workshop equipment if you are tired, unwell, distracted or unable to concentrate safely.
• Do not use workshop equipment while under the influence of alcohol or recreational drugs.
• Report any damaged, defective or unusual equipment to the instructor immediately.
• Do not attempt to repair, modify or dismantle workshop equipment.
• Keep hands and fingers away from blades, drill bits, staple-firing areas and other moving parts.

Staple guns

Staple guns can cause serious puncture injuries.

• Only use a staple gun after instruction from the instructor.
• Keep fingers and your other hand well away from the staple-firing area.
• Point the staple gun towards the workpiece and away from yourself and others.
• Make sure the workpiece is secure before stapling.
• Use only the correct staples for the equipment.
• Never point a loaded staple gun at another person.
• If a staple jams or the tool does not operate normally, stop and ask the instructor.

Drills

• Use the correct drill bit for the material and task.
• Check that the drill bit is securely fitted before use.
• Secure the workpiece where necessary.
• Do not hold a small or unstable workpiece in your hand while drilling.
• Keep hands, hair, loose clothing and jewellery away from rotating parts.
• Maintain control of the drill and do not force it.
• Stop the drill completely before putting it down.
• Switch off and disconnect/remove the battery before changing drill bits or dealing with a jam.

Electric knives

Electric knives have moving blades and can cause serious cuts.

• Only use an electric knife after the instructor has demonstrated its safe operation.
• Check the knife and blade appear to be in good condition before use.
• Secure the material before cutting.
• Keep fingers and hands away from the blade and cutting path.
• Always cut away from your body and your other hand.
• Never place your hand underneath or in front of the blade.
• Do not attempt to catch material while the knife is operating.
• Switch off and wait for the blade to stop completely before putting it down.
• Switch off and disconnect/remove the battery before changing blades or dealing with a problem.

Sewing machines

• Only use a sewing machine after the instructor has shown you how to operate it safely.
• Keep fingers well away from the needle area while the machine is running.
• Never adjust, thread or clear a jam while the machine is switched on.
• Use the hand wheel, not the foot pedal, when making small manual adjustments.
• Take particular care when working with pins and needles — remove pins before sewing over them where instructed.
• Switch off and unplug the machine before changing needles, feet or dealing with a fault.
• Tell the instructor immediately if a needle breaks, so fragments can be located and removed safely.
• Keep loose clothing, hair and jewellery away from the needle and moving mechanism.

Craft knives

Craft knives are extremely sharp and can cause serious cuts.

• Only use a craft knife after the instructor has shown you the correct technique.
• Always cut away from your body and keep your free hand clear of the blade's path.
• Use a cutting mat and keep the work securely in place.
• Use a sharp blade — a blunt blade requires more force and is more likely to slip.
• Retract or cover the blade whenever the knife is not in use, even briefly.
• Never leave a craft knife exposed or unattended on the work surface.
• Pass a craft knife to another person handle-first, with the blade retracted.
• Dispose of used blades in the sharps/blade disposal container provided — never in general waste.

Spray adhesive

Spray adhesive involves flammable and airborne substances that require care in use.

• Only use spray adhesive in the area designated by the instructor, with ventilation as instructed.
• Follow the instructor's guidance on any PPE required, such as gloves or a mask.
• Keep spray adhesive away from open flames, sparks and heat sources.
• Avoid spraying near your face and avoid inhaling fumes; turn away from the spray direction where possible.
• Protect surrounding surfaces and materials from overspray as instructed.
• Do not spray directly onto skin, hair, clothing or eyes.
• Replace caps/lids after use and return the can to the instructor's designated storage area.
• Tell the instructor immediately if you experience irritation, dizziness or breathing discomfort.

Accidents, injuries and equipment problems

If an accident, injury or equipment problem occurs:

Stop Switch off Step back Tell the instructor

Please report all accidents, injuries, damaged equipment, broken blades or bits, damaged cables, jams or other safety concerns immediately.

Do not attempt to repair equipment yourself.

The workshop has appropriate first-aid and emergency arrangements. Please follow the instructor's instructions in an emergency.

2. Attendance Requirements

Please arrive at the time stated in your booking confirmation.

The workshop starts at the advertised time, and late arrival may mean that you miss essential safety information or tool demonstrations.

If you arrive late, please speak to the instructor before beginning any practical work. Do not start using tools without the instructor's approval.

If you are unable to attend, please follow the cancellation or rescheduling arrangements provided at the time of booking. See the course terms & conditions.

For safety reasons, the instructor may ask a participant to stop using a particular tool or activity if they believe it is not being used safely.

3. Photography & Social Media

We may take photographs or short videos during workshops for promotional purposes, including use on our website and social media.

Photography consent is optional and is separate from your agreement to the workshop's health and safety and attendance requirements.

When you arrive at the workshop, you will be asked to indicate whether you give permission for photographs/videos of you to be used for these purposes.

You can choose YES or NO.

If you do not give permission, please make this clear on the form and, where appropriate, tell the instructor so that reasonable steps can be taken to avoid photographing you.

4. Your Confirmation

When you arrive at the workshop, you will be asked to sign a form confirming that:

• you have read and understood this Health & Safety guidance;
• you agree to follow the workshop's safety instructions;
• you have read and agree to the attendance requirements; and
• you have made a separate choice about photography and social-media use.

Please ask the instructor if you have any questions about this information before using any workshop equipment.