Holy Spirit students help craft award winning job safety video

Darwin Anderson and Jayda Crummey of Holy Spirit High School in Manuels, CBS are among a small group of students being recognized as winners in WorkplaceNL’s 2025 Student Safety Video and Radio Ad Contest. 

Eli Peach of Southwest Arm Academy in Little Heart’s Ease was the winner in the radio ad category. His winning entry, ‘The Safety Superhero,’ highlights the importance of always looking out for hazards, and will be aired on radio stations throughout the province.

Anderson and Crummey won in the video ad category. Mehak Humayun of Macdonald Drive Junior High in St. John’s was also part of the team. Their winning entry, ‘Orientations are Important,’ showcases the value of an orientation session for new workers and how it improves safety in day-to-day operations. Their video was submitted as Newfoundland and Labrador’s entry in the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety’s (CCOHS) national Focus on Safety Youth Video Contest.

“I’m very pleased to recognize these students for their outstanding work regarding workplace hazards,” said Pam Parsons, the minister responsible for the provincial workers compensation agency. “Congratulations to Eli, Darwin, Jayda and Mehak for bringing home the message that we must always be aware of potential hazards and safety risks on the job. Sharing the perspectives and voices of our students and young workers is crucial to effectively promoting workplace safety and health across Newfoundland and Labrador, and I encourage more students to get involved.”

The CEO of WorkplaceNL, Ann Martin, also congratulated the students. “Our 2025 winners demonstrate an exceptional understanding of workplace safety,” said. “Their creativity inspires us at WorkplaceNL to continue engaging with youth. After all, they are the future of workplace safety culture and performance in Newfoundland and Labrador.” 

According to WorkplaceNL spokesperson Carla Riggs, the lost-time incidence rate for young workers dropped 38.5 per cent in the past five years to 0.91 per 100 workers in 2024 from 1.47 in 2020.

The annual workplace safety advertising contest is open to Grade 7-12 junior and senior high students throughout the province. Winners receive a $1,000 cash prize and a plaque for their school.

Young workers, aged 15-24 years, are typically at higher risk of injury on the job, said Riggs.