A recent USA Today article highlighted a growing issue that receives far less attention than it deserves: the increasing risk of slip-and-fall injuries as America’s population continues to age.
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Many floor safety decisions are still influenced by outdated or withdrawn test methods that often fail to reflect real-world pedestrian conditions.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
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.