LOCATED ON THE TAILGATE #2 DEVELOPMENT (GATE) SECTION, THE EMPLOYEE WAS ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE A BIT INSERT FROM THE VOEST-ALPINE MINER CUTTER HEAD. AFTER STRIKING THE INSERT WITH A SLEDGE HAMMER, A SLIVER OF METAL FROM THE INSERT WENT THROUGH HIS GLOVE AND BECAME IMBEDDED IN HIS RIGHT MIDDLE FINGER. BEGAN MISSING WORK ON 12/31/05.