MECHANIC TOLD HIS SUPERVISOR ON THURS 2/17/00 THAT HIS BACK WAS SORE AND BENDING DOWN HURT HIM. HE TOLD HIM HIS BACK HAD BEEN BOTHERING HIM FOR MORE THAN 5 YEARS. HIS SUPERVISOR SPECIFICALLY A SKED EE IF HIS BACK WAS HURT AT WORK, HE REPLIED NO. THE CLAIM WAS TURNED OVER TO THE STATE WORKMANS COMPENSATION FOR INVESTIGATION. THEY WILL BE ACCEPTING THE CLAIM AS AN OCCUPATIONAL ILLNES