Eleven contractors, chiefly from western and central New York, have been cited by OSHA for failing to protect their employees against fall hazards during the Walden Galleria Mall construction project in Cheektowaga, N.Y., according to an agency release. The combined penalties could total $135,700, OSHA said.

"This situation is unacceptable. Falls are the number one killer in construction work," said Arthur Dube, OSHA's Buffalo area director."

OSHA's conducted an inspection in response to a complaint alleging fall hazards. The agency identified a variety of such hazards, including lack of fall protection for employees working at heights of six feet or greater; missing or inadequate guardrails; an uncovered storm drain; ladder deficiencies; a missing stairway, ramp or ladder; an employee tied off to the basket of a boom truck while standing on a roof; and lack of fall protection training and programs, according to the report.