WHILE CLEANING UP AROUND PLANT USING A HAND SHOVEL STRAINED LOWER ABDOMEN. THINKING IT WAS JUST A MUSCLE PULL DIDN'T SEEK IMMEDIATE CARE AND WAITED FOR THE PHYSICAL HE HAD SET UP EARLIER TO FI ND OUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED. SUBSEQUENTLY FOUND OUT THAT HE HAD SUSTAINED A HERNIA THAT REQUIRED SURGERY. PHYSICAL TOOK PLACE ON 4/30/03 & SURGERY WAS SCHEDULED FOR 5/15/03. WAS OFF WORK FOR 26