Hi Lynda
It is good you are wanting to realise the safety aspect of your course. :biggrin:
The main factor is the dust that is caused while you are training - unless you are fan bloody tastic at creating the perfect nails, then to begin with you will rely on your filing to get the correct shape.
There are alot of things to help against dust and fumes here are just a few.
Wear a dust mask - change regularly - and when doing Clients offer them to wear one.
Have about 3/4 layers of paper towel on your cushion/towel so you can fold up and put into the bin at regular intervals.
Your breathing zone (about the size of a beach ball infront of your face) is the area to be looked after. Try not to bend too far down to get close to the nails.
Wash your hands - otherwise you will find parts of your face, arms whatever you touched can become red and itchy.
If you are working with monomer and polymer (acrylic) then only use what is needed for the job. Don't fill your dappen dish right up to the top. Always replace the lid when not in use.
Throw away paper towel that is used to clean/wipe your brush on - into a bag in a metal lidded bin - and tie up the bag and put into an outside bin as often as poss.
If you need a few other things as it it good "to start as you mean to go on"
These threads are very helpfull:
http://www.thenailgeek.com/showthread.php?t=3623
http://www.wtac.com/
or go to search and put in all the things you can think of and the answer will be there!!!!
take care