Seems dangerous

Is it not the camera's angle and positioning?

Really it seems dangerous. It is only safe until you keep the ignition switch OFF

It is safe as you do not switch the ignition while you prime it initially.

You can have the choke attached to a servo and use that to prime it further after the ignition is on. 

You have to wear the gloves as sometimes it backfires and that can be nasty. It is more in a magneto engine rather than a ignition based engine.

Cheers