An employee was cutting parts on the shear. After making several cuts, the employee pushed the last piece in position for the last cut. The back edge of the part came up off the table
approximately 1/4". As he was positioning the part, his left index fingertip went between the plate and the table. His coworker activated the foot pedal and the plungers came down to hold the part in place. When the part flattened out, his left index fingertip was pinched and smashed between the part and the table.