Industrial injuries often occur during the first few days or weeks following the initial hire. Some of the reasons new employees are injured include deconditioning to a lack of experience to the unknown presence of a previous injury or weakness.

While the Americans With Disability Act (ADA) does not allow employers to ask questions about an individual's prior medical or psychological treatment, the ADA does provide opportunity for an employer to gather both medical and functional information after the offer of employment is made. The functional information must be specifically related to the individual's ability to perform the essentional job function. Baseline exams for such things as grip strength, range of motion capabilities and other strength testing can also be a way to record and validate any changes or deterioration in functionality over a time period.