Department of Labor
Each year, thousands of Oklahoma teens will transition into summer jobs, part-time work, or internships to earn extra spending money, develop new skills, and network with others. Federal and state youth employment laws are in place to ensure that youth workers are protected in their working environments. This includes restrictions on the legal age to work, the work permit process, schedules, and permitted/prohibited occupations.
The Oklahoma Department of Labor in partnership with the Oklahoma Safety Council created Speak Out for Workplace Safety, a video contest encouraging students in grades 9 thru 12 to enter a public service announcement about workplace safety to be used to teach their peers. Teachers educate their students about job hazards and provide safety tips on being safe on the job. Student then take what was learned in the classroom to create a video eligible for cash prizes.
Labor Commissioner Mark Costello said, “This is our third year to partner with the Oklahoma Safety Council, we have seen participation grow and awareness grow. It is a fun way for students to take an interest in workplace safety and create strong awareness in smaller communities throughout the state when it comes to Oklahoma’s youngest workforce.”
Speak Out for Workplace Safety Video Contest Awards Reception will take place Friday, April 17, 2015 from 1:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Blue Room at the State Capitol
Cash prizes ranging from $250 to $750 will be awarded to the finalists for their student-produced videos about workplace safety. Labor Commissioner Mark Costello, State Senator Susan Paddack, and Representative Mike Sanders are on the agenda to help honor our state winners.
Through the help of the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, more than 1,000 teachers were given the NIOSH Youth@Work: Talking Safety curriculum to educate their students about workplace safety. Through the help of industry leaders, Speak Out for Workplace Safety was made possible thru their generous donations. Special thanks to DUIT Holdings, Inc.; Oklahoma One Call System, Inc.; and Association of Oklahoma General Contractors for being this year’s prize sponsors.
