EE REPORTED TO HIS SUPERVISOR 10-13-00 THAT HE HAD WENT TO HIS FAMILY DR. COMPLAINING OF PAIN IN LOWER ABDOMEN. HE WAS INFORMED HE HAD A HERNIA & WOULD REQUIRE SURGERY. EE SAID INJURY OCCURRED EARLIER WHEN HE HAD RAISED THE HOOD OF THE COMPANY'S FREIGHTLINER WATER TRUCK. EE REFUSED SURGERY & CONTINUED WORKING HIS JOB AS EQUIPMENT OPERATOR UNTIL 1-16-01 WHEN HE HAD SURGERY FOR HERNI