The article, titled “John Sotter’s Relentless Pursuit for a Safer America,” explores my decades-long effort to improve floor safety through better testing, better science, and practical solutions that help reduce preventable injuries.

For many people, a slip-and-fall incident may sound minor. In reality, falls are among the leading causes of injury-related hospitalization and loss of independence among older adults. As America’s senior population grows, the consequences of unsafe walking surfaces become increasingly significant.

Throughout my career, I have focused on one central question:

How can we accurately identify hazardous walking surfaces before someone gets hurt?

The answer begins with reliable testing.

Many floor safety decisions are still influenced by outdated or withdrawn test methods that often fail to reflect real-world pedestrian conditions. Better tools and better standards are needed if building owners, architects, facility managers, and safety professionals are going to make informed decisions about floor safety.

That belief helped inspire the formation of the American Floor Safety Alliance (AFSA), an organization dedicated to advancing objective, scientifically defensible slip-resistance testing methods.

One example is AFSA FS101-25, a pendulum-based test method designed to provide highly repeatable measurements of floor traction. The goal is simple: help identify potentially hazardous surfaces before they contribute to injuries.

The USA Today article also discusses the broader challenge facing America as our population ages. Floor safety is often overlooked until an accident occurs. By then, the human and financial costs can be substantial.

Preventing slips and falls requires more than good intentions. It requires meaningful measurement, consistent standards, and a commitment to using the best available science.

I appreciate USA Today’s interest in bringing attention to this important topic and helping raise awareness about the role floor safety plays in protecting people of all ages.

Read the Full USA Today Article

https://www.usatoday.com/story/special/contributor-content/2026/06/25/john-sotters-relentless-pursuit-for-a-safer-america/90695447007

About John Sotter

John Sotter is President of Safety Direct America and a founder of the American Floor Safety Alliance. He has spent more than three decades helping organizations evaluate floor safety through slip-resistance testing, consulting, expert witness services, and the development of practical floor safety solutions.

The post USA Today Highlights Growing Slip-and-Fall Risk Facing Older Americans appeared first on Safety Direct America.

That was the focus of my recent article published in LA Weekly, where I discussed what I believe is one of the most overlooked public safety issues in America: slippery floors.

For nearly forty years, I’ve investigated slip-and-fall accidents, tested flooring materials, and worked with property owners, manufacturers, architects, attorneys, and government agencies. One thing has become abundantly clear:

Most slip-and-fall accidents are preventable.

The technology exists today to accurately measure slip resistance using reliable international test methods such as ASTM E303-22 and AFSA FS101-25. Unfortunately, many facilities still rely on outdated assumptions, visual inspections, or testing methods that were never intended to determine whether a floor is actually safe for walking.

The ASTM has a long history of publishing bad test methods in this field of study, allowing industry insiders and full-time expert witnesses to create bogus tests that never worked and were never even considered by the international slip testing community. Now we’re left with slippery tubs, slippery floors where everyone shops, and an aging population that will soon show up in emergency rooms at an unprecedented rate, proving that organizations like the ASTM and the NFSI has let America down. BIG-TIME. And now it will cost lives at a historic rate.

As America’s population ages, the consequences become more severe.

A fall that might leave a healthy twenty-five-year-old with a bruise can leave an older adult with a fractured hip, traumatic brain injury, permanent disability, or worse. Beyond the human suffering, these injuries cost families, businesses, insurance companies, and taxpayers billions of dollars every year.

The encouraging news is that this problem is solvable.

Today’s flooring can often be made dramatically more slip resistant without replacement. Reliable testing methods can identify hazardous walking surfaces before someone is injured, and modern anti-slip floor treatments can provide years of increased traction while preserving the appearance of the floor.

My hope is that the LA Weekly article helps bring greater public awareness to this issue and encourages building owners to think proactively instead of waiting until after a serious injury occurs.

Slip resistance should never be guessed. And it should never be measured with flooring-industry-created bogus tests like ANSI A326.3 or ASTM D2047.

It should be measured. With a pendulum tester.

If your facility contains polished tile, marble, terrazzo, concrete, epoxy flooring, pool decks, shower floors, commercial kitchens, or other hard-surface walking areas, professional slip-resistance testing can determine whether those surfaces provide appropriate traction under real-world conditions.

As our population continues to age, creating safer walking surfaces isn’t just good risk management—it’s the right thing to do.

If this article encourages even one property owner to evaluate their floors before someone gets hurt, then it has served its purpose.

Thank you to LA Weekly for helping bring attention to an issue that deserves far greater public awareness.

The post The Silver Tsunami Is Here: Why Safe Floors Matter More Than Ever appeared first on Safety Direct America.

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.

The post AFSA Founders Award Recognizes Commitment to Floor Safety Science appeared first on Safety Direct America.

Recently, Safety Direct America was selected to apply SparkleTuff® Anti-Slip Floor Coating aboard one of the world’s most prestigious residential yachts—the largest residential yacht on earth.

In environments like this, appearance matters. Residents and guests expect beautiful surfaces that maintain their original look while also providing reliable traction in wet conditions. Traditional anti-slip solutions often change the appearance of the surface, create cleaning challenges, or wear down over time. For this project, the goal was to improve traction while preserving the yacht’s high-end appearance.

Why Marine Environments Present Unique Slip Hazards

Yachts, cruise ships, ferries, and other marine vessels face conditions that make slip resistance especially important:

• Water is routinely tracked onto walking surfaces.
• Salt, sunscreen, and body oils can reduce traction.
• Outdoor decks are exposed to weather and UV radiation.
• Passengers may be barefoot, wearing sandals, or carrying luggage.
• Constant foot traffic accelerates wear on walking surfaces.

The ideal solution must provide reliable traction without creating an overly aggressive surface that is uncomfortable to walk on or difficult to maintain.

Why SparkleTuff Was Selected

SparkleTuff® Anti-Slip Floor Coating was developed for situations where safety, appearance, and durability are all critical requirements.

The coating creates a durable, transparent anti-slip surface designed to improve traction while allowing the underlying surface to remain visible. Unlike many alternatives, SparkleTuff can be applied to a wide variety of surfaces while maintaining a clean, professional appearance.

For luxury marine applications, this combination of performance and aesthetics is often the deciding factor.

Proven in Marine Environments Around the World

This was not SparkleTuff’s first marine installation.

SparkleTuff has previously been used aboard cruise vessels, including projects associated with the world’s largest international cruise lines. The coating has also been selected for ferry vessels operating in New Zealand, where passenger safety and long-term durability are essential requirements.

These projects demonstrate that anti-slip solutions can be effective in demanding marine environments while still meeting the appearance expectations of owners, operators, and passengers.

Beyond Yachts

While this project involved one of the world’s most exclusive residential vessels, the same technology is used on many other surfaces, including:

• Pool decks
• Resort walkways
• Hotel properties
• Commercial buildings
• Shopping centers
• Residential patios
• Boat decks and marinas
• Epoxy and polyaspartic flooring systems
• Tubs and showers
• Outdoor glass walkways

Whether the goal is preventing slips around a swimming pool or improving traction aboard a luxury yacht, the challenge is often the same: creating safer walking surfaces without sacrificing appearance.

Learn More About SparkleTuff

If you are responsible for a luxury property, yacht, marina, resort, cruise vessel, ferry, or other environment where appearance and safety are equally important, SparkleTuff may be the solution.

Contact Safety Direct America to learn how SparkleTuff can improve slip resistance while preserving the beauty of your surfaces.

The post SparkleTuff Anti-Slip Coating Selected for One of the World’s Most Prestigious Residential Yachts appeared first on Safety Direct America.

Every batch of SparkleTuff Anti-Slip Floor Coating is carefully prepared right here in California by real people who genuinely care about the product they’re creating. This isn’t some anonymous overseas assembly line churning out generic coatings by the thousands. SparkleTuff is a hands-on, American-made product that we personally mix, inspect, label, package, and stand behind.

Take a behind-the-scenes look at how SparkleTuff Anti-Slip Floor Coating is handcrafted in California — from mixing in the grit to labeling and packaging every container by hand:

SparkleTuff Anti-Slip Floor Coating – The Permanent Solution!

A Labor of Love — Made by Hand in California

In the video below, you’ll see a behind-the-scenes look at how SparkleTuff is actually prepared.

We carefully measure and mix the aluminum oxide grit directly into the coating ourselves. We seal and label every container by hand. We package each order with pride, knowing that this product may help prevent a serious slip-and-fall injury somewhere across America — or around the world.

That matters to us.

SparkleTuff was developed because slippery floors are a real problem, and we wanted a solution that was durable, attractive, and effective. We’ve spent years refining this coating system so it can provide outstanding traction while still maintaining a clean, professional appearance.

Why We Still Do It by Hand

A lot of companies outsource everything possible. We chose a different path.

By remaining hands-on with production, we maintain tight quality control and ensure the grit loading, packaging, and preparation meet our standards every single time. We know exactly what goes into every can because we’re the ones putting it there.

That personal involvement also allows us to continue improving the product through real-world experience and customer feedback.

Built for Real-World Slip Resistance

SparkleTuff has been used on:

• Slippery epoxy floors
• Pool decks
• Commercial walkways
• Restaurant floors
• Residential patios
• Painted concrete
• Polyaspartic coatings
• Tile and polished surfaces

The result is a clear, gritty, durable anti-slip coating system designed to help improve traction while preserving the look of the underlying surface.

Proudly Made in America by US

American manufacturing still means something to us.

We’re proud that SparkleTuff is made right here in the United States by people who care deeply about quality, craftsmanship, and customer safety. Every order represents real work done by real hands in our California lab.

And yes — we still personally mix in the grit ourselves.

Because details matter.

The post SparkleTuff®: Handcrafted in America, One Can at a Time appeared first on Safety Direct America.

This video is more than just a visual demonstration. It represents a broader effort to promote scientifically reliable, real-world floor safety testing methods that better reflect how people actually walk and interact with surfaces.

AFSA FS101-26 Pendulum Slip Resistance Test in Action

In this field test, the pendulum instrument is used to evaluate wet slip resistance on an elevated outdoor walkway surface overlooking Los Angeles.

The purpose of the demonstration is to show:

how dynamic slip resistance testing is performed in the field,
how wet pedestrian surfaces can be evaluated objectively,
and why repeatable, evidence-based methods matter when assessing real-world slip risk.

Why the Pendulum Test Matters

The pendulum test, including methods derived from ASTM E303, has decades of international use and research behind it. Unlike many static coefficient-of-friction devices, pendulum testing is designed to simulate dynamic heel-strike interaction during walking.

Rather than asking whether a floor is simply “slippery” or “not slippery,” the pendulum test helps quantify slip potential using a repeatable methodology that has been studied and applied worldwide.

This is especially important in:

wet environments,
outdoor walkways,
elevated surfaces,
rooftop pedestrian areas,
pool decks,
and other locations where traction can change significantly when contaminants are present.

Introducing AFSA FS101-26

The American Floor Safety Alliance (AFSA) was formed to help advance scientifically credible floor safety methodologies and improve understanding of pedestrian traction and slip resistance.

AFSA FS101-26 represents part of that effort by promoting practical, transparent, and evidence-based testing approaches that can be performed in real-world environments — not just controlled laboratory settings.

Real-World Testing Matters

Beautiful architecture and scenic environments do not eliminate slip hazards. In fact, modern rooftop surfaces, luxury installations, and decorative exterior materials can sometimes present significant traction challenges when wet.

That is why objective field testing matters.

Real-world slip resistance assessment helps:

identify potential hazards,
improve pedestrian safety,
reduce preventable accidents,
and support more informed decisions regarding flooring materials and maintenance practices.

Watch the Demonstration

This rooftop pendulum test overlooking Los Angeles offers a simple but powerful reminder:

Better science leads to safer walkways.

Watch the full video demonstration and learn more about the importance of reliable floor safety testing.

The post High Above Los Angeles: AFSA FS101-26 Pendulum Testing in the Real World appeared first on Safety Direct America.

That is why I recently wrote an opinion piece published by International Business Times discussing what I believe is a growing problem in the floor safety industry.

Read the full article here:
International Business Times Opinion Piece

Why I Made This Video

The short video accompanying this post is a direct introduction to the concerns raised in the article.

Too often, floors are labeled “safe” using testing methods that:

Lack meaningful precision
Produce inconsistent results between operators
Fail to reflect real-world pedestrian movement
Continue to be used despite significant scientific criticism

Meanwhile, internationally recognized dynamic methods like the ASTM E303 and AFSA FS101-25 continue to demonstrate strong repeatability and decades of successful use around the world.

This is not about taking sides in litigation.

It is about ensuring that:

building owners,
attorneys,
architects,
insurers,
and courts

have access to reliable, scientifically defensible information.

A Call for Better Standards

The purpose of speaking publicly about these issues is not controversy for the sake of controversy. The goal is to encourage the adoption of more reliable, evidence-based approaches to floor safety.

In my opinion, the United States has fallen behind much of the world when it comes to meaningful slip resistance assessment. That needs to change.

The stakes are real:

preventable injuries,
unsafe flooring conditions,
and legal outcomes influenced by questionable methodology.

Better science leads to better safety.

Moving the Conversation Forward

I believe the future of floor safety depends on:

scientifically reliable testing,
transparency,
repeatability,
and methods that correlate to real-world pedestrian movement.

That is a major reason behind the formation of the American Floor Safety Alliance (AFSA) — an organization focused on advancing credible, practical, and evidence-based floor safety standards.

Watch the Video and Read the Article

I encourage you to watch the video, read the full opinion piece, and consider the broader implications for safety, liability, and public trust.

Professional “Experts” Are to Blame!

Read the article here:
International Business Times Opinion Piece

The post The Floor Beneath Your Feet Has Been Compromised — Why I Spoke Out – Watch the Video appeared first on Safety Direct America.

That question is at the heart of my latest opinion piece published in International Business Times.

The article examines a growing concern within the floor safety industry: the disconnect between scientifically repeatable slip resistance testing and the methods that are still too often relied upon in litigation, construction specifications, and expert testimony.

Why This Conversation Matters

Slip-and-fall accidents are not trivial events. They can lead to serious injuries, life-altering disabilities, and enormous financial consequences for businesses and property owners. Yet despite the seriousness of these incidents, many people remain unaware that some historically used testing devices and standards have faced significant scientific criticism.

In the article, I discuss how several ASTM floor safety standards associated with static coefficient-of-friction testing methods were ultimately withdrawn. In some cases, the standards lacked approved precision statements. In others, the methods failed to reliably distinguish dangerously slippery surfaces from safer ones.

At the same time, internationally recognized dynamic testing methods — particularly pendulum-based methodologies — have continued to evolve and gain acceptance across Europe, Australia, Asia, and many other parts of the world.

Precision Matters

One of the central themes of the article is precision and repeatability.

If a scientific instrument cannot produce consistent, repeatable results, its usefulness in safety assessment becomes questionable. This is especially important in legal disputes where expert testimony can heavily influence outcomes.

The public deserves better than inconsistent methodologies. Architects deserve better guidance. Property owners deserve more reliable risk assessment tools. And courts deserve scientifically defensible data.

That does not mean every floor is either “safe” or “unsafe.” Real-world floor safety is more nuanced than that. But it does mean we should prioritize testing methods that have demonstrated reliability, reproducibility, and meaningful correlation to pedestrian slip risk.

A Global Perspective on Floor Safety

One of the biggest misconceptions in the United States is that domestic practices automatically represent the global scientific consensus. In reality, much of the world has moved toward dynamic slip testing methods that better simulate actual pedestrian movement.

The pendulum test, for example, has been used internationally for decades and continues to serve as a foundational methodology in numerous countries because of its repeatability and extensive research history.

As someone who has spent years studying floor safety standards and performing slip resistance evaluations, I believe the conversation must continue moving toward evidence-based methodology rather than legacy assumptions.

This Is About Prevention

The goal is not litigation. The goal is prevention.

When scientifically credible testing is used properly, dangerous surfaces can often be identified before injuries occur. That benefits everyone:

• pedestrians,
• businesses,
• architects,
• insurers,
• and the legal system itself.

Floor safety should not be driven by outdated assumptions or unreliable measurements. It should be driven by data.

Read the Full International Business Times Article

You can read the full opinion piece here:

The Floor Beneath Your Feet Has Been Compromised — Paid Expertise Holds Blame

For additional information about pendulum slip testing and modern floor safety methodology, visit our page on pendulum testing

or visit the American Floor Safety Alliance

The post The Floor Beneath Your Feet Has Been Compromised — Why This International Business Times Article Matters appeared first on Safety Direct America.

A friend of ours, Greg, built a stunning teak wood walkway in his backyard. He absolutely loved the look of it — but every year to year-and-a-half, the same frustrating cycle would begin. The wood would start turning gray, fading from UV exposure, drying out, cracking, and eventually deteriorating to the point where sections needed replacement.

This time, Greg decided to try something different.

After refinishing the teak, he applied a protective topcoat of SparkleTuff Anti-Slip Floor Coating.

One year later, the results have been remarkable.

The wood still looks rich, glossy, and beautiful — almost like it was freshly installed. Instead of drying out and fading, the surface maintains a deep “wet look” appearance while remaining completely slip-resistant, even when wet.

Why Exterior Wood Normally Fails So Quickly

Outdoor wood surfaces take a tremendous amount of abuse:

• Constant UV exposure breaks down finishes and dries out the wood
• Moisture intrusion causes expansion, contraction, and cracking
• Rain and humidity accelerate fading and deterioration
• Foot traffic wears away protective coatings
• Traditional sealers often provide little real durability
• Many coatings become dangerously slippery when wet

Teak is naturally durable, but even teak eventually suffers when exposed to the elements year-round.

That’s where SparkleTuff changes the equation.

A Protective, Slip-Resistant Topcoat for Wood

SparkleTuff can be applied as a durable anti-slip protective topcoat over:

• Teak wood
• Hardwood walkways
• Engineered wood
• Pool decks
• Outdoor stairs
• Boardwalks
• Composite decking
• Previously stained or sealed wood surfaces

After applying your preferred stain, polyurethane, color treatment, or wood finish, SparkleTuff can be installed as the final protective layer.

The result is a durable, UV-resistant, anti-slip surface that helps preserve the beauty of the wood while dramatically extending its lifespan.

The “Wet Look” Without the Slipperiness

One of Greg’s favorite things about the finished walkway is the appearance.

The coating gives the teak a rich, deep, wet-look finish that enhances the natural grain and color of the wood. Unlike many glossy coatings that become slick and hazardous when wet, SparkleTuff was specifically engineered to provide long-term slip resistance.

So instead of choosing between beauty and safety, you get both.

Designed to Last

Perhaps the biggest surprise has been the durability.

Normally, Greg expected to repair or replace sections of the walkway every year or two. But after a full year with SparkleTuff protecting the surface, the wood still looks outstanding.

No graying.
No major fading.
No cracking.
No deterioration.

Just a beautiful, protected, slip-resistant surface that still looks freshly finished.

Protect Real Wood and Engineered Wood Surfaces

Whether you’re working with real hardwood, teak, engineered wood, or composite wood products, SparkleTuff can help create a safer, longer-lasting surface.

Instead of constantly refinishing or replacing weather-damaged wood, SparkleTuff helps lock in the beauty of the surface while adding:

• Slip resistance
• UV protection
• Scratch resistance
• Moisture protection
• Long-term durability
• Enhanced appearance
  

  

  For outdoor wood surfaces that need to look beautiful and stay safe, SparkleTuff offers a powerful solution that keeps wood looking rich, glossy, and protected for years to come.

The post Protecting Teak Wood Walkways with SparkleTuff: Slip-Resistant, UV-Protected, and Built to Last appeared first on Safety Direct America.

Slip-and-fall injuries remain one of the leading causes of emergency room visits in the United States. And yet, despite decades of awareness, the problem persists.

Why?

Read the International Business Times article here

Because far too often, floors are evaluated using methods that do not reflect real-world conditions.

The Problem: “Compliant” Doesn’t Mean Safe

One of the key points covered in the article is something I see every day in my work:

Surfaces that technically “pass” a test… but are still dangerously slippery when people actually walk on them.

This disconnect is at the heart of the problem.

Many commonly used testing methods measure static or simplified conditions that do not represent how slip events actually occur. In the real world, slips happen during movement—during heel strike—on surfaces that may be wet, contaminated, or improperly maintained.

If the test doesn’t reflect that reality, the results can be misleading.

A Better Approach to Slip Resistance

For decades, other parts of the world have taken a more practical, field-tested approach.

Dynamic testing methods such as ASTM E303 and AFSA FS101-25 (the pendulum test) are designed to simulate real walking conditions and provide a more accurate picture of slip risk. These methods are widely used internationally and supported by decades of research.

Through the work of the American Floor Safety Alliance, we are continuing to push for the adoption of testing methods and standards that better reflect real-world conditions here in the United States.

The goal is simple:

Prevent injuries before they happen—not just measure surfaces after the fact.

Watch the Video

I put together a short video to highlight the article and explain why this issue still hasn’t been fully addressed.

The USA Has a Slip and Fall Epidemic – Read About it in the International Business Times!

In the video, I break down:

Why current testing approaches often fall short
What real-world slip resistance actually means
And how better standards published through the American Floor Safety Alliance (AFSA) can help reduce injuries and liability

If you’d like to dive deeper into this issue, you can read the full feature here:

Read the International Business Times article here

Final Thoughts

Slip-and-fall prevention is not a mystery. It’s a measurable, solvable problem—when the right methods are used.

The challenge is not a lack of knowledge.
It’s a lack of consistent, real-world application.

Until that changes, we will continue to see surfaces that are technically compliant… but practically unsafe.

The post Featured in International Business Times: Why America Still Has a Floor Safety Problem appeared first on Safety Direct America.