Why 93% of Workers Don’t Disclose Their Physical Limitations, and How Drake has the Remedy

In recruitment, few challenges are more persistent or more costly than workplace injuries. Despite best intentions, many injuries stem from one simple issue: misalignment between a role’s physical demands and a worker’s physical capability.

Why Workers Don’t Disclose Physical Limitations

For decades, physical screening in recruitment has relied heavily on self reported health questionnaires. While well intentioned, this approach places the burden of judgement on the candidate. Workers often don’t disclose limitations for very human reasons:

• Fear of missing out on work

• Financial pressure

• Lack of awareness that an issue is relevant

• Belief that aches, stiffness or past injuries are “normal”

As one recruitment consultant explains “Most candidates aren’t trying to hide anything. They genuinely don’t realise that certain movement patterns or past strains could put them at risk. On a form, it’s easy for things to go unrecognised.”

Self reporting also assumes candidates can accurately assess their own physical capability, something even trained professionals struggle to do reliably without observation and data.

The Consequences of Self Reporting

When physical limitations go unidentified, the consequences extend well beyond the individual. For employers and recruitment agencies, it can mean:

• Higher musculoskeletal injury rates

• Increased WorkCover claims and premiums

• Lost productivity and worker downtime

• Reputational risk

Traditional solutions, such as pre employment medicals, are often too slow, costly, or impractical for high volume or short term roles. As a result, many recruitment decisions are still made with incomplete information.

The bigger picture and better outcomes

Drake International is the first to offer one of the most advanced physical capability and musculoskeletal screening solutions available in recruitment today.

Using camera based 3D motion capture and AI technology, Drake assesses functional movement. Instead of asking candidates what they think they can do, this new screening technology shows us how they actually move in real-world work scenarios.

Candidates complete a 5–8 minute movement assessment, using a camera enabled device. The AI analysis posture, stability, mobility, symmetry and real world movements like bending, reaching and lifting against ergonomic benchmarks.

Feedback from consultants involved in the development of the product highlights its impact in practice. As one employment consultant shared: “This tool has been a huge asset for the team. It identifies things that are simply not visible to the naked eye, and the data has proven to be highly reliable.” Beyond the data, the tool also reframes the conversation. As another consultant explained, “This isn’t about ruling people out. It’s about placing people into roles they can perform safely or identifying alternative opportunities that better align with their physical capability.”

Results from the initial pilot showed that 93% of candidates flagged through motion screening had undisclosed or unrecognised physical limitations that could impact role safety. These findings reinforce the importance of objective screening in improving role fit and reducing risk for both candidates and employers.

What this means going forward.

Recruitment is changing. And so are expectations around safety, data and accountability.

AI powered, 3D motion screening means moving beyond guesswork and building placements on evidence, supporting safer workplaces, fairer decisions and better long term outcomes.

When 93% of risks aren’t visible on a form, it’s clear the old approach isn’t enough.

The future of safe recruitment isn’t about asking better questions, it’s about seeing the answers more clearly. If you’re still relying on self reported questionnaires or inconsistent screening methods, now is the time to rethink how physical risk is identified before workers step on site.

By shifting from forms to 3D motion screening, we’re not just protecting employers, we’re protecting workers too. Our head of Work, Health and Safety shared “This technology allows us to make more informed decisions about physical limitations before placement. It helps prevent individuals from being placed into roles their bodies may struggle to sustain, reducing risk, improving outcomes, and ultimately protecting people”.