Oregon High Schoolers Invited to Promote Young Worker Safety in 2025 Media Contest
High school students across Oregon have the chance to showcase their creativity and compete for cash prizes while supporting an important cause: promoting workplace safety and health for young workers.
The 2025 media contest, organized by the Oregon Young Employee Safety (O[yes]) Coalition, invites students to create a compelling video or graphic design that will inspire their peers to complete the Young Employee Safety Awareness online training. The contest is designed to raise awareness about workplace safety among teen workers or those preparing to enter the workforce for the first time.
“This contest gives students an opportunity to make a real impact,” said a representative from O[yes]. “By sharing their own message and perspective, they can help protect their peers and encourage safe work practices.”
Participants are tasked with crafting an ad that grabs attention, delivers a constructive and effective safety message, and motivates young workers to act. Students can submit either a graphic design or a video that is no longer than 90 seconds.
Entries will be judged on creativity, effectiveness, and their ability to engage the intended audience. Submissions should include positive and thoughtful messaging, with participants ensuring their own safety while completing their projects.
The top three entries in each category—graphic design and video—will receive cash prizes ranging from $300 to $500. Additionally, the first-place winner in each category will earn a matching cash prize for their school, club, or organization.
The best entries may also be featured as part of O[yes]’s ongoing efforts to promote on-the-job safety for teens.
“This contest is not just about the prizes,” the representative added. “It’s about empowering young people to prioritize safety and create a workplace culture that values health and well-being.”
The deadline to submit entries is 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. Submissions can be uploaded online, mailed on a USB thumb drive, or delivered in person.
Full contest rules, entry forms, and resources—including examples of winning entries from previous years—can be found on the O[yes] online contest page.
The contest is supported by a coalition of local organizations dedicated to workplace safety and health, including the American Society of Safety Professionals (Oregon chapters), Construction Safety Summit, Central Oregon Safety & Health Association, Hoffman Construction Company, Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Oregon OSHA, SafeBuild Alliance, SAIF Corporation, and the Oregon Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) Alliance.
With these groups lending their support, the contest emphasizes the importance of equipping young workers with the knowledge and tools to stay safe on the job.
For Oregon teens, this is an opportunity not only to win prizes but also to make a meaningful difference in the lives of their peers. As the submission deadline approaches, organizers encourage students to step up and lend their voice to the vital conversation around workplace safety.