What potential hazards are

associated with 3D printing? Are

there known health effects from

the filaments (for example, see

safety data sheets)? What is the

work environment like (for

example, open or isolated area)?

Could the work activity cause

exposures? What is the

likelihood of exposure? Can

you change the way you do

the activity to reduce the

likelihood of exposure (high

potential to low)?

Based on the work activity, what 

engineering controls will reduce the 

likelihood of exposure? What are the key

design and operational requirements 

for the control?

If the measures above do not

effectively control the hazard,

what PPE can be used? Have

you considered PPE for other

safety hazards (for example,

thermal gloves to prevent burns

from hot printer heads)?

• High efficiency particulate air (HEPA)-filtered local exhaust ventilation placed near printing

• If concerned about VOCs, add gas and vapor filters to local exhaust ventilation

• Ventilated enclosure or containment (for example, fume hood)

• Local exhaust ventilation or ventilated enclosure for post-processing activities involving

chemicals (for example, cleaning or spray painting parts)

• Ventilated enclosure or downdraft table for cutting and grinding parts during

postprocessing

Potential hazards may include:

• Breathing and skin contact with

volatile organic chemicals (VOCs)

and particulates (printing) and other

chemicals (post-printing)

• Hot surfaces and moving parts

• Incorporate 3D printing into workplace

safety plans

• Develop standard operating procedures

and train workers

• Do not consume food or drinks in

work areas

Printing considerations:

• Printing material (e.g., use polylactic acid [PLA] filament rather than acrylonitrile

butadiene styrene [ABS] when possible)

• Filaments with additives (e.g., metals, nanomaterials, carbon fibers)

• Frequency and duration of printing

• Manufacturer’s recommendations for bed and nozzle temperatures

• Select the lowest printing temperature that achieves the desired product

• When possible, choose a filament with lower known emission rates

• Use signs to alert workers of hazards and appropriate actions to protect themselves

Work environment best practices: 

• Print in a negatively pressured area with a dedicated

ventilation system, in an area away from other work

• Reduce time spent near printing process

(e.g., monitor remotely or leave area)

• Restrict access to essential personnel

or use remote monitoring

• Handle and dispose of all waste materials

(including cleaning materials/gloves) in

compliance with all applicable federal,

state, and local regulations

Pre-printing

Higher potential for exposures: 

• Cleaning printer heads/nozzles

• Heating nozzles

Lower potential for exposures:

• Loading filament into printer

• Changing printer heads/nozzles

• Prepping build plate

Printing 

Higher potential for exposures: 

• Using printer in general office work area

• Working near printer

• Going to printer quickly after print failures

and during start up

Lower potential for exposures:

• Using video monitoring

Post-printing

Higher potential for exposures: 

• Removing support structures with solvents

or other chemicals

• Post-processing activities with filaments

containing nanomaterials

Lower potential for exposures:

• Removing part and changing filaments

• Scraping build plate with tools

Maintenance and cleaning 

Higher potential for exposures: 

• Cleaning printer head/build plate

with solvents

Lower potential for exposures:

• Changing filament

• Collecting waste

• Housekeeping

3D Printing with Filaments: Health and Safety Questions to Ask 

Review the questions on the left and explore different control options and other information to reduce your exposure on the right.

Wear PPE that is appropriate for the activities around you (for example, a coworker cleaning a printer next to your work station may require

you to wear the same level of PPE). Follow proper PPE replacement practices. Do not wear PPE outside of work areas. Examples of possible PPE are:

• Nitrile or chemical resistant gloves

• Lab coat or coveralls

Characterization of

Potential Hazards 

Personal Protective

Equipment (PPE) 

Engineering Controls

Work Activities 

1

2

3

Have you considered your

workplace practices and policies?

Have you set up a plan for waste

management? Have you

considered what to do in case of

a chemical spill?

4 Administrative Controls

5

• Safety glasses, goggles, or face shields

• Respiratory protection when indicated and when engineering controls cannot control

exposures, and in accordance with federal regulations (29 CFR 1910.134)

• NIOSH guidance on respirators can be found at

www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/respirators/

NANOTECHNOLOGY

RESEARCH 

CENTER

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Applies to All Printing Stages

Applies to All Printing Stages

Applies to All Printing Stages

Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention

National Institute for Occupational 

Safety and Health

Learn more about safely working with filaments for 3D Printing DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2020-115, https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHPUB2020115 March 2020