EMPLOYEE HAD BEEN PICKING RINGS OUT OF KILN ON SATURDAY'S SHIFT. SUNDAY HE WAS CLEANING PLUGGED KILN CHUTE DURING THIS TIME HE EXPERIENCED SHARP PAIN AND HAD A BULGE ON HIS RIGHT SIDE, IN THE GROIN AREA. EMPLOYEE WAS TAKEN TO CLINIC THURSDAY MORNING & DIAGNOSED WITH A HERNIA. HE IS SCHEDULED FOR SURGERY 01/09/02.