An employee was picking up a roll from a de-chocker station using a lifting device. He positioned the chain on the drive side of the roll, then moved to the operator side of the roll. After taking a rag to wipe off his hands, he positioned the chain on the operator side of the roll. As he held the chain with the rag in his hand, the crane began lifting. As the chain tightened, his left index finger was caught between the chain and the roll neck, resulting in amputation at the first knuckle.