Ronald W. Porter is a nationally recognized expert in the field of Occupational Safety and Health, and Ergonomics.
In the past 35 years, since becoming Director of the Back School, he has instructed over 1000 workshops and seminars on Ergonomics Awareness and Musculoskeletal Disorder Prevention to physical and occupational therapists; medical doctors; chiropractors; occupational health nurses; and industrial health and safety professionals.
Ron has worked with over 300 companies, including Lockheed Martin Aeronautics; US Foods; Mars Incorporated; E.I. Du Pont; DS Waters; Shell Oil; International Paper; WestRock; A-dec Dental, Arizona Public Service Company; Association of California Water Agencies/Joint Powers Insurance Agency and the United States Navy, consulting on the development and implementation of innovative ergonomics programs for both individual plant sites and entire corporations.
He was chosen as the 2012 ASSE Ergonomics Practice Specialty Safety Professional of the Year, and was also selected as one of the “50 Most Influential People in Workers’ Compensation” by the 2014 SEAK National Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Medicine Conference. Ron also received a 2016 President’s Award presented by the ASSE.
His recent presentations include:
- The 2007 - 2017 American Society of Safety Engineers Professional Development Conferences;
- The 2016 Region IV ASSE Professional Development Conference;
- The 1995 – 2005 and 2011 American Association of Occupational Health Nurses Annual Conferences;
- The 2010 National Ergonomics Conference and Exposition;
- SEAK Annual National Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Medicine Conferences in 2005 – 2007 and 2013;
- March 2010 national webinar on the Aging Workforce for the ASSE Virtual Classroom.
Ron earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of Tennessee - Knoxville and a graduate degree in physical therapy from Emory University in Atlanta, GA. He is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, American Society of Safety Engineers, the American Industrial Hygiene Association and the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.