Sanford, N.C. — The company of a contractor injured after he fell into a silo of dry dog food Monday said Wednesday that the accident never should have happened.

Mike Goodman, who works for Albertsville, Ala.,-based B&R Services, was working on at silo at H.J. Baker & Brothers Inc. in Sanford Monday afternoon when he accidentally stepped on the lid to a grain chute and fell 40 feet.

His leg was caught in a drilling device, and it took about 40 rescuers more than three hours to free him.

Goodman's manager and owner of B&R Services, Bob Rusk, said Wednesday that his company, which does minor repairs on silos, has never stressed the dangers of stepping on lids in safety demonstrations.

"But it will be brought up now," Rusk said.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the accident.

Rusk added that Goodman is doing well after dislocating his shoulder and was ready to get back to work Wednesday.

Rusk, however, said he insisted that Goodman take a few days off to recuperate.

Fire Chief Wayne Barber said Wednesday that Goodman's rescue was one of the most intense he's been involved with in his 36-year career with the Sanford Fire Department.

"It's one of the longer (rescues) we've done, but the main thing is it was successful," he said.