Changing filters is completely safe, and were designed to be so. With the Grease Lock mounting tool, the filters are easy to install and to remove, so you won’t need to stand on equipment to change them because of how the mounting devise is constructed. Grease Lock filters are non-toxic and perfectly safe to handle yourself. Ellis Fibre recommends that the filters be changed in the morning before the cook line is heated to keep the filters from coming in contact with hot equipment.