The award goes to CSHEMA members who have made significant contributions to safety, health or the environment over an extended period of time.

Hart has served as a CSHEMA executive staff member and chaired several committees during his 20-year association with the organization, which is made up of environmental health and safety professionals who work in education and research settings. The organization provides members with opportunities to share information and continue their education.

"CSHEMA is the premier organization geared toward EHS people who work at colleges and universities, so to receive this award for lifetime achievement is quite an honor," Hart said. "I'm proud to be part of it all."

Hart retired from the university in January 2007 after 24 years with the Environmental Health and Safety Office. He directed the office beginning in the fall of 2002. He served the previous 18 years as the office's environmental safety coordinator and managed the university's industrial hygiene, asbestos, lead, indoor air quality, lab safety, biosafety and infectious waste programs.

Prior to joining Ohio University, Hart worked as a county health commissioner, county director of environmental health, state health department epidemiologist and county environmental sanitarian.

Hart is the founder and president of Worksafe Ltd., an environmental and occupational health and safety consulting company, and is pursuing a doctorate in biological sciences at Ohio University. He earned a master's degree in health and safety education from Kent State University and a bachelor's degree in environmental health from Cleveland State University.

"I have worked with Chuck for many years within the (CSHEMA) organization and came to know him as a 'can-do person,'" said Martha McDougall, chair of the CSHEMA Awards and Recognition Committee. "We're very proud of him, and that's why we are presenting him with this award."