When I first saw the AI-generated image of myself receiving the AFSA Founders Award from President Donald Trump, I had to laugh.
No, President Trump did not actually present me with the award. The image was created as a bit of fun. But the award itself is very real, and the mission behind it is something I have dedicated a large part of my career to advancing.
I was honored to be selected as the inaugural recipient of the American Floor Safety Alliance (AFSA) Founders Award in recognition of my contributions to the advancement of floor safety testing, slip resistance evaluation, and public education regarding slip-and-fall prevention.
For decades, slip-and-fall incidents (not accidents, because they are preventable through science) have remained one of the leading causes of injury in the United States. Every year, countless people suffer serious injuries because walking surfaces fail to provide adequate traction under real-world conditions.
While these incidents affect people of all ages, the consequences become increasingly severe as individuals grow older. As America enters what many have called the “Silver Tsunami”—a period characterized by a rapidly growing senior population—the need for scientifically defensible floor safety standards has never been greater.
Science Saves Lives!
One of AFSA’s primary objectives has been to promote testing methods that have demonstrated reliability, repeatability, and international acceptance. This includes support for pendulum-based testing methods that have been widely utilized throughout the United Kingdom, Australia, Europe, and many other parts of the world.
The goal is simple: measure floor slip resistance using methods that provide meaningful information about pedestrian traction and help property owners make informed decisions regarding safety.
Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of conducting slip resistance testing and investigations for thousands of projects across North America and beyond. From hotels and shopping centers to cruise ships, airports, industrial facilities, government buildings, swimming pools, and healthcare facilities, I have seen firsthand how proper testing and corrective action can dramatically reduce slip hazards.
AFSA was founded on the belief that floor safety decisions should be guided by science rather than marketing claims. The organization continues to advocate for education, transparency, and the use of proven testing methodologies that help identify and reduce slip risks before injuries occur.
Receiving the AFSA Founders Award is meaningful not because of personal recognition, but because it highlights the importance of the work itself. Every advancement in floor safety testing, every improvement in slip resistance standards, and every successful effort to reduce fall risks ultimately serves a larger purpose: helping people return home safely at the end of the day.
If our efforts contribute to preventing injuries among seniors, workers, hotel guests, shoppers, patients, and the general public, then the work has been worthwhile.
I would like to thank my fellow AFSA founders, industry colleagues, clients, researchers, and supporters who have contributed to this mission over the years. The award may bear one name, but the progress achieved has been the result of many dedicated individuals working toward a common goal.
The mission continues.
Because when it comes to floor safety, proven science saves lives.