Use aluminum foil to protect benchtops. Dirty parts are easier to clean than broken parts are to fix, so if something's about to fall on the floor, grab it, gloves or no. There are relatively few chemical hazards in IML, but there are some. Most are described in the manuals for associated proceses. Here are a few very basic guidelines.
Chemicals cost money both to buy and to dispose of.
Often disposal is considerably more costly than acquistion. Be very careful of what you put in the sink. This is a very sensitive topic, so if you have doubts, DON'T. Ask for help. Dust is more mobile than coarse particulates and unhealthy almost regardless of composition. If you generate dust, clean it up with a wiper dampened with isopropanol or water.