SmartProcedures, LLC, a division of ATR, Inc., is sponsoring a safety art contest for students of plant workers in the United States and Canada. The contest, which will accept original safety-themed artwork from May 1st through July 15th, is dubbed Zero Incident Program – ZiP! and aims for zip incidents, zip accidents, zip injuries and zip fatalities. “ZiP! is designed to honor the men and women who strive daily for safety and operational excellence in high risk environments,” said Elliott Lander, Managing Director of SmartProcedures, LLC. “We’re thrilled to get youths involved in ZiP! to help ensure that our next generation focuses on safety!”

Elementary, middle and high school students who have a parent who works or has recently worked at a plant for energy, chemicals, paper, power or manufacturing, are invited to compete in the contest. Students must submit their artwork electronically to the www.smartprocedures.com website. Finalists will be contacted to send in their physical artwork to SmartProcedures, LLC. Each category features cash and honorable mention awards. The top prizes in each category is $1,500, $1,000 and $500 for high school, middle and elementary school respectively. “The art contest,” said Lander “is an opportunity for young people to participate in a positive, productive forum to share their ideas about safety. Let’s face it, there are a lot of kids who are concerned about the safety of their parents and friends and experience stress when they hear alarms or read about incidents in the media.”

The artwork will be judged by a blended combination of online popular vote on the www.smartprocedures.com website, as well as by industry and art professionals. Winning artwork will also be displayed on the website as well as physically at a public venue to be determined in the future.

In 2002 in response to 9-11, ATR, the SmartProcedures, LLC parent company, sponsored the “Hope and Heroes” Art Contest in the Houston area to promote community support for the New York Fire Department (FDNY) firefighters, providing more than $1 million of software, computer hardware and support services. ATR received letters of commendation from then Houston Mayor Lee Brown and FDNY Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen. “ATR was proud to honor and support New York Fire Department whose firefighters so bravely served Americans in the 9-11 aftermath,” said Lander.

Full contest rules are available at www.smartprocedures.com. “We are looking forward to receiving the student artwork – we are always amazed at the incredible talent, artistic creativity and inspiration of young people. We’re also excited to give students a chance to win money and recognition and provide an opportunity to contribute to the ZiP! Safety culture,” said Lander.