John Sotter Highlights America’s Floor Problem, Striving to Redefine the Country’s Floor Safety Standards
When workplace injuries result in a loss of nearly $60 billion each year in the United States, with slips, trips, and falls ranking among the leading causes, it calls for a more critical conversation. John Sotter, co-founder of the American Floor Safety Alliance (AFSA), has built his practice around precisely that. He believes those figures signal a systemic failure in how safety is measured, understood, and enforced.
Sotter says, “The absence of consistent, science-backed testing has left a critical gap that continues to affect businesses and the people who move through them.”
He points to a fragmented landscape, highlighting how, despite the presence of regulatory bodies and committees, there remains no universally applied and reliable method for assessing floor slip resistance across the US. “When there are billions of dollars at stake, there needs to be a better way of assessing floor safety,” he says. Noting the shortage of those systems, Sotter believes the inconsistency often allows subjective or outdated tools to shape outcomes in high-stakes environments. In his view, this lack of standardization has created a system where results can vary depending on the instrument used rather than the actual condition of the surface.
“This is why AFSA was born,” Sotter says. Drawing from decades of international research, the organization promotes the use of the British Pendulum test, which has been widely adopted across Europe, the UK, Australia, and other regions for over 50 years. He highlights that AFSA’s version of the test, refined through global data and studies, is designed to provide accurate, repeatable measurements that reflect real-world conditions.
“Too often, the conversation stops at the numbers,” Sotter says. “But behind every statistic is a person, someone who slipped, someone who was injured, someone whose life changed in an instant.” He frames the issue as both technical and deeply human, noting that even non-fatal incidents can lead to long-term consequences, from lost income to permanent physical limitations. Weeks away from work, disrupted careers, and ongoing rehabilitation, he suggests, are all part of the broader cost that rarely makes headlines.
His perspective is shaped by decades in the field and reinforced by personal experience. Sotter recounts witnessing the aftermath of a severe fall up close, noting the prolonged recovery and dependency that followed. That experience, he says, underscored the importance of prevention over reaction, positioning proactive assessment as the core principle behind his work. “We should be testing before the incident happens,” he explains.
Through a building automation and facility management company, Sotter conducts on-site testing for clients seeking clarity on floor safety conditions. These assessments, he explains, are typically initiated after complaints arise, such as employees noting that a surface feels slick, or facility managers observing increased risk during certain precarious conditions. The goal, Sotter notes, is to translate those observations into measurable data. Safety Direct America, another arm of his work, focuses on solutions, offering anti-slip coatings, non-skid grip tapes, and non-abrasive anti-slip floor treatments, and other materials that align with those findings.
AFSA, however, remains central to his broader mission. Sotter believes the organization plays a critical role in advancing legislation and encouraging the adoption of standardized testing methods across North America. He notes that the flagship AFSA FS101-25 pendulum test builds on international benchmarks, integrating insights from multiple regions to create what he considers a more precise framework.
The urgency of that vision is sharpened by demographics. America’s increasing aging population, Sotter notes, faces heightened vulnerability when it comes to falls. Recent studies show that falls are among the leading causes of injury, with 1 in 4 older adults falling every year. They are more likely to suffer severe injuries, including fractures that can lead to long-term complications. In recent years, nearly 50,000 people died from slip-and-fall incidents, with many more experiencing life-altering injuries. “As people age, the margin for error disappears,” he says. “We’ve got slippery tubs in every hotel, slippery tile in everyone’s bathrooms, and even in public walkways. They’re all areas of concern.”
Within that context, he perceives accuracy as the defining variable. Sotter argues that reliable testing not only helps prevent incidents but also provides building owners with a defensible standard of care. “If you’ve done everything you can, tested properly, and used the right materials, you can at least know you took every step to protect people,” he says. After four decades watching the industry from the inside, he is convinced that peace of mind, backed by science, is precisely what the market has been missing.
Ultimately, by prioritizing measurable safety and aligning with global best practices, Sotter delivers an unequivocal objective: fewer injuries, reduced uncertainty, and environments where safety is verified long before it is tested by circumstance.
