An employee was working to fit two 1-1/2-inch stainless steel spool pieces at a flanged connection to bolt up.
To align the two spool pieces, the top section of pipe (10 feet in length) was rigged using a nylon strap choker, attached to a 1/2-ton chain.
As the employee attempted to move the pipe, the load shifted in the nylon strap, causing the top section of the pipe to drop approximately 1-2 inches, which pinched the injured employee's left index finger in the flanged connection and resulted in an amputation of the finger's distal tip.