ON 2-12-03 THE EE WAS CLIMBING OVER A CROSSOVER ON A BELT LINE AND FELT PAIN IN HIS GROIN. THE EE CONTINUED TO WORK AND ON 5-14-03 REPORTED TO MANAGEMENT A HERNIA OPERATION WAS NEEDED. DAYS AW AY FROM WORK STARTED 5-15-03 AND THE OPERATION WAS 5-19-03.