The Continuing Education program of the Central Appalachian Region Education and Research Center (CARERC) is focused on increasing opportunities for employees and employers in Central Appalachia to receive occupational safety and health education and training. This training is intended to address the unique circumstances of work in Central Appalachia. Our mission is to provide quality, regionally-focused OSH CE opportunities accessible to Central Appalachian practitioners and to develop innovative courses, using the expertise and strengths of CARERC faculty and staff, to address workplace injury and illness in Central Appalachia.
Central Appalachian Region Education and Research Center (CARERC) Continuing Education
Goals and Objectives
The UK CARERC, the newest of the ERCs, has been receiving funding only since 2012. The CARERC CE training incorporates each discipline of the Center as well as external partnerships. Academic faculty and staff are committed to active participation in the CE program either as members of the planning committee, as speakers for our monthly CARERC seminar, or as course directors. The overall goal remains on focusing our CE program on the unique occupational needs of workers in Central Appalachia and expanding access to CE course opportunities for employees and our students remains the driving focus of our work. The following objectives guide this core:
- Develop opportunities for professional education by enhancing existing CE Courses. We work to leverage the well-developed curriculum of existing CE providers, such as the OSHA Training Institute Education Center at Eastern Kentucky University and medical and nursing and mining CE providers at the University of Kentucky. OSHA TI EC was established in 2003 and primarily serves Federal Region IV, which includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The Center draws upon a total of 17 instructors with more than 250 years of industry experience. OSHA TI EC offers 29 regular courses, examination preparation for the Certified Safety and Health Manager (CSHM), and an OSH Certificate Program for Correctional Safety Officers.
- Develop new continuing education courses and workshops. One objective of the CARERC is to develop unique course offerings based on the strengths and interests of the faculty in the center and the needs of the working population in the region.
- Establish an annual Central Appalachian OSH Symposium. We offer an annual symposium held in Central Appalachia which focuses on a topic of current and regional interest in the occupational safety and health community. The purpose of the symposium series is to better equip practitioners to protect the safety and health of workers.
- Use social media for informing the network of trainees, employees and employers of opportunities for continuing education and knowledge sharing among OSH professionals. Follow CARERC activities and announcements on our Facebook page.
- Leverage new technologies and instructional designs to offer CE training that is readily accessible to a broad ground of workers across industries and occupations
Agricultural Safety & Health
According to the CDC, in 2023, approximately 2.3 million workers were employed in an agricultural industry. In 2022, those working in the industry had one of the highest fatal injury rates (18.6 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalents) compared to 3.7 deaths per 100,000 FTE for all US industries. Cited as leading causes were transportation incidents, violence by other people or animals, and contact with work objects. Across the industry, between 2021-2022, there were 21,020 injuries that required days away from work, with one third of those being due to falls.
As a recognized resource for safety across Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, and West Virginia, we invite you to view our curated list of resources to advance agricultural worker safety and health. Should you have any questions or wish to propose an additional resource, please contact our CE Director, Dr. Carolyn Oldham at carolynoldham@uky.edu.
Occupational Safety & Health
The goal of occupational safety and health practitioners is to decrease the volume and severity of occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities in the workplace. Visit our resources page to find a list of resources curated by our Occupational Safety and Health program’s leadership.
Resources coming soon!
Mining Safety
Those working in mines operate in challenging conditions—confined spaces, limited visibility and near moving machines. According to the CDC, over 40% of the most serious mining injuries are classified as struck-by or caught-in machinery and powered haulage equipment accidents. Below please find a list of resources curated by our Mining Safety program’s leadership.
Resources coming soon!
Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing
Advancing the science on and improving the state of health, nurses are our frontline workers when it comes to addressing occupational injuries. Preparing them to lead occupational, environmental, and translational research and educational initiatives is central to CARERC’s Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing program. Below please find a list of resources selected by our program’s directors to equip nurses with the ability to advance occupational safety and health.
Resources coming soon!
Occupational Epidemiology
Occupational epidemiologists play a central role in surveilling, recognizing, investigating, and addressing critical workplace safety and health issues. Below please find a list of resources selected by our Occ Epi program directors to equip those pursuing a career in the field.
Resources coming soon!
Industrial Hygiene
Industrial hygiene is the science of anticipating, recognizing, evaluating and controlling physical, chemical, biological and ergonomic hazards to prevent worker illness or injury. Industrial hygienists play a key role in making sure that federal, state and local laws and regulations are followed in the workplace. Below please find a list of resources selected by our Industrial Hygiene program directors to equip those pursuing a career in the field.
Resources coming soon!
Occupational Athletic Training
Athletic trainers play an integral role in a company’s health and safety team, providing health care to employees, preventing injuries, and reducing worker compensation claims while improving employee wellness and productivity. According to the National Athletic Trainers Association, 60% of athletic training services in occupational health are preventative in nature while 32% are rehabilitative. Athletic trainers provide ergonomic evaluations and recommendations, design prevention programs, and lead health and wellness trainings while also attending to emergency care such as sprains, strains, and fractures. Below please find a list of resources selected by our Occupational Athletic Training program directors to equip those pursuing a career in the field.
Resources coming soon!
Contact Us
For more information about CARERC Continuing Education, please contact Dr. Carolyn Oldham, carolynoldham@uky.edu.