Zoe Sharpley wins first place in PEI and places second place in national contest
A Charlottetown high school student has earned top honours in Prince Edward Island's annual “Focus on Safety” youth video contest, hosted by the Workers Compensation Board (WCB), and secured national recognition for her creative efforts promoting workplace safety.
Zoe Sharpley, a student at Charlottetown Rural High School, was awarded first place in the provincial competition for her animated video that highlighted essential occupational health and safety (OHS) principles, including worker rights, hazard awareness, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Her winning video also claimed second place in the national contest organized by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS).
As part of the provincial prize, Zoe receives a $1,000 cash award, while her school also receives $1,000. Her achievement in the national competition comes with an additional prize provided by the CCOHS.
Danny Miller, director of occupational health and safety at the WCB, praised the video for its dynamic approach and educational value. “Zoe’s video is engaging, features dynamic animation and highlights vital information for young workers and experienced workers alike,” Miller said. “We are so very pleased for Zoe that their winning PEI entry finished second in the national edition of the contest”.
Each year, the WCB invites students across Prince Edward Island to develop original short films—ranging from dramas and documentaries to comedies and animations—that convey key workplace safety messages to their peers. Winning entries from regional contests are submitted to the national level for further competition.
The “Focus on Safety” initiative forms part of the WCB’s broader strategy to promote a culture of safety among young workers. The board serves over 6,790 employers and more than 92,300 workers across the province, supporting safe workplaces and administering both the Workers Compensation Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
