An employee was standing on some equipment (24" from ground level) spraying down parts when he lost his footing. He reached out to catch himself when his right-hand pinky finger hit the sharp metal blade on a machine that cuts the feet off of chicken. The joint where his pinky finger and hand meet was dislocated and the blade cut through the area, causing a severe laceration. The machine was locked out at the time of the incident. He was hospitalized and had surgery.