Another year, another contest:  the annual “Speak up. Work safe.” video contest is now open for submissions. The top three entries will take home cash prizes ranging from $300 to $500, and students will earn a matching amount for their school.

Our Institute joins other Oregon Young Employee Safety Coalition (O[yes]) contest sponsors to support Oregon high school students’ efforts to share workplace safety and health messages with their peers. Students must create a 90-second or less video that inspires young workers to do at least one thing differently to stay safe on the job. We appreciate the parents, teachers and mentors who encourage young people to create a video for this contest. And of course, we most appreciate the young people who have taken the time to participate in this contest, usually learning things about workplace safety that they hadn’t before thought about.

Over the years, we have been impressed with the creativity, humor and importance placed to this topic. Watch previous years’ winners. Video judging is based on the appeal of message for teen workers and safety educators, overall production value, and if the “speak up, work safe” theme is used effectively. Entries for this year’s contest must be received by February 1, 2017.

Learn more by reading the press release and visiting the O[yes] contest website. Are you a safety and health professional or educator who would like to be part of the team supporting this contest? Contact O[yes].