High school students encouraged to #FocusonSafety

Regina, SK – WorkSafe Saskatchewan announces the 2017 Youth Video Contest, inviting Saskatchewan students in Grades 9 to 12 to create a 2-minute video focusing on workplace safety. When focusing on safety, students can help Saskatchewan achieve Mission: Zero – zero injuries, zero fatalities, zero suffering.

Workers under 25 are at the highest risk for being injured on the job. In Saskatchewan, approximately 6,000 young workers are injured each year. When students make a video focusing on safety, they are more knowledgeable before entering the workforce. They are aware that they have rights and responsibilities in the workplace.

The contest awards student and school prizes for the top three videos:

	1st place	2nd place	3rd place
Student/Team	$1,000	$750	$500
School	$1,500	$1,000	$750

Students have until March 31, 2017 to submit their videos. WorkSafe Saskatchewan encourages students to promote the contest and their video on social media using #Focusonsafety, #MissionZero and #YVC2017. For complete rules, visit https://wssdev.thedev.ca/youth/teachers/youth-video/.

Saskatchewan’s first-place winner advances to the national contest.

Last year, Clavet Composite School placed third in the national contest and won $1,000. A Saskatchewan team has won National Fan Favourite for four consecutive years, earning each team an extra $1,000.

To view Saskatchewan’s winning video, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLU17mfWfag or https://wssdev.thedev.ca/youth/teachers/youth-video/2016-youth-video-contest-winners/

Contest deadline: Friday, March 31, 2017

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Twitter: @worksafesask
Facebook: facebook.com/WorkSafeSK
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YouTube: youtube.com/worksafesask

Quick facts:

• Most youth injuries occur in July and August and more than half of all injuries occur in the hospitality, retail, construction and manufacturing industries. The most common injuries are to hands, backs, legs, arms and eyes. Of the 100% of injuries:
  • 46% are cuts, strikes or burns to the hands
  • 17% are back injuries that occur from over-exertion when lifting, climbing, reaching and twisting
  • 15% are sprained, strained or broken legs
  • 11% are cuts, sprains or strains to the arms
  • 10% are eye injuries caused by chips and splinters
• Tragically, on average, 3 young people die on the job in Saskatchewan each year.
• Saskatchewan legislation requires that youth 14 and 15 years of age complete the Young Workers Readiness Certificate Course (YWRCC) before starting work. For information, or to complete the YWRCC, visit https://wssdev.thedev.ca/training/online-courses/young-worker-readiness-certificate-course/.