Malecha, manager of the Feely Grain Elevator in downtown Farmington, violated state guidelines when he climbed into the bin without being connected to a safety line. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was on the site Friday morning to open an investigation. Doug Gilbertson, owner of Nerstrand Agri Center, which owns the elevator, said OSHA investigators confiscated paperwork related to the operation of the elevator.

According to Gilbertson, Malecha, 47, was released from Hennepin County Medical Center early Friday and was resting at his Northfield home. "He's fine," Gilbertson said. "He'll be back to work on Monday. He could have been released [Thursday night] but his adrenaline was going pretty good."

Malecha's first order of business on Monday will be to explain why he didn't follow safety procedures. Gilbertson said all employees have gone through safety training.

"It's not what I want to see from my employees," said Gilbertson, who did not want to question Malecha while he was resting at home. "Mark's been in the grain business all his life. He should have known better."

As required, there were other employees nearby when Malecha began work on the bin. He was able to make radio contact with the others, who immediately called 911.

Rescue workers needed 8 hours to get Malecha out.

A number of Malecha's family members gathered at the site during the rescue. Gilbertson said he arrived shortly after the 911 call was placed. Asked if those family members and friends were upset, Gilbertson said, "They were upset with Mark for not following the safety rules."

Malecha declined requests for interviews, but he released a statement through the hospital that said he appreciated the efforts of the first responders, firefighters and police officers involved in his rescue.

"My guess is that he didn't plan on going into the bin," Gilbertson said. "He must have slipped when he was trying to unclog it."

Farmington Police Chief Brian Lindquist said approximately 100 workers from various state, city and private organizations responded to the call.

James Honerman, of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, said OSHA's investigation will focus on what training the company provides as well as whether safety standards were followed. He said all variables will be considered before the agency decides whether to impose a fine.

Gilbertson said he has been in the grain business since 1983 and his company never has had a similar accident. Nerstrand has owned Feely since 2006.

There have been 12 deaths in Minnesota in the past five years that were the result of grain bin accidents, Honerman said. Nine of them took place on family farms, and three were investigated by OSHA on work sites.

In all three investigations, the deaths were preceded by the person walking on top of the grain.

Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune