“Speak up. Work safe.” Video Contest Opens to Oregon Students

Win cash for creative workplace safety messages

Teens have used rap music, humor, and other creative special effects to share their workplace safety and health messages in the annual “Speak up. Work safe.” video contest. The contest is now open to high school students across Oregon. The top three entries will take home cash prizes ranging from $300 to $500, and students will earn a matching amount for their school.

In the past, student winners wrote and sang original music as part of their “safety musical,” while other finalists relied on storytelling through quirky characters or serious themes that touched on the potential for on-the-job accidents.

The contest is designed to increase awareness about safety on the job for young people. Students must create a 90-second or less video with the overall theme of “Speak up. Work safe.” Specific video guidelines are outlined in the contest rules. Participants are encouraged to use creative moviemaking techniques, while sharing the message “Work shouldn’t cost you your future.” In addition, the video should emphasize ways for young workers to protect themselves at work. Submissions will be judged on the following:

• An original health and safety message that appeals to teen workers and safety educators
• Overall production value (video/audio quality, acting, and editing)
• “Speak up. Work safe.” theme is used effectively

The deadline for submissions is Feb. 2, 2015.

The contest is organized by the Oregon Young Employee Safety Coalition (O[yes]). Oregon OSHA, SAIF Corporation, local chapters of the American Society of Safety Engineers, the Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Hoffman Construction, Central Oregon Safety & Health Association, the Labor Education and Research Center, the SHARP Alliance, Oregon Health Authority, the Construction Safety Summit, Northern Lights Theater, and SafeBuild Alliance sponsor the contest.

Contest winners will be unveiled at a screening event in spring 2015, and winning entries will be posted on YouTube. Students are encouraged to use social media to spread the word about their contest entries with the tag #Oyesvideo.

For detailed contest information, including contest tips, rules, and entry forms, go to www.youngemployeesafety.org/contest. To see the 2014 winning videos, go to http://www.youtube.com/user/OregonSafetyHealth.