Associated Press - July 10, 2009 3:24 PM ET

CARMI, Ill. (AP) - Federal mine safety investigators say an accident that killed a worker at a southern Illinois underground coal mine last year was attributable to management's failure to stress certain safety practices.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration says 45-year-old Timothy Adamson was killed last October when he was pinned between the rib of a coal mine and a remote-controlled mechanical mining machine.

There were no witnesses to the accident, which happened inside the Pattiki Mine operated near Carmi by White County Coal LLC.

MSHA says the mine operator failed to implement safety precautions meant to ensure that miners don't enter dangerous areas presenting pinch hazards around the mining machines.

Messages left with White County Coal were not immediately returned.

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