Video Contest Encourages Young Workers to Speak Up for Safety
Virginia and ASSP invite young workers to submit workplace safety videos for cash prizes.
- By Stasia DeMarco
- Nov 03, 2026
The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) has launched a statewide video contest encouraging high school students and early-career workers to promote workplace safety and hazard awareness.
Announced Nov. 3, the VOSH Vision: Your Voice. Your Safety. contest is a partnership among DOLI's Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) program, the Virginia Department of Education and the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP).
Participants are invited to create original public service announcement videos addressing workplace hazards, employee rights, reporting unsafe conditions and the importance of speaking up about safety concerns.
“Safety messages often hit home harder when they come from peers who understand your experiences,” DOLI Commissioner James Frederick said in the announcement. “Through our inaugural video contest, we want to inspire the next generation of workers to advocate for safe workplaces across the state.”
The contest includes two divisions. The high school division is open to Virginia students in grades 9-12, while the early-career division is open to Virginia residents within their first five years of full-time employment, including apprentices, interns and recent graduates.
First-, second- and third-place winners will be selected in each division, with cash prizes ranging from $500 to $3,000.
ASSP President Monique Parker said young workers can face increased injury risks because they may be unfamiliar with workplace hazards or reluctant to raise safety concerns.
The McElhattan Foundation supports the contest.
Submissions are being accepted through Feb. 28, 2027.
Eligibility requirements, submission guidelines and additional information are available on the ASSP Foundation's contest website.
About the Author
Stasia DeMarco is the content editor of Occupational Health & Safety.