An employee was brushing out metal shavings from the slug slot when one of the spring-actuated hold-downs on a metal deck cutoff die was stuck in the up position. The die was removed from the press and the employee brushed away metal shavings. The employee's left hand was on the die while another employee began loosening a bolt on top of the die. The hold-down that was stuck then broke loose, crushing portions of his index, middle, ring, and little fingers on his left hand that required surgical amputation.