A Texas company installing wallboard to the exterior of the Wal-Mart under construction at the Tilden Ridge shopping center in Tilden Township was cited recently by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for not protecting workers against falls.

An OSHA spokeswoman said no injuries were reported involving Destin Drywall & Paint Inc., Houston, for not providing proper fall protection for employees at job sites. The Wal-Mart is scheduled to open in March or April.

OSHA has issued five serious citations and one repeat citation to the company for fall hazards and other safety violations. Proposed penalties total $20,100.

The serious citations allege failure to provide fall protection for employees on aerial lifts, training for employees working on aerial lifts or roofs, and required personal protective equipment.

They also assert the company permitted workers to operate a rough-terrain forklift without required training and allowed the misuse of a stepladder.

The repeat citation indicates the company permitted its employees to work on a surface greater than 6 feet high without an approved method of fall protection.

Officials said there are a number of ways to protect workers from falls, such as guard rails, safety net systems, warning lines, travel restraint systems, designated areas and personal fall protection equipment.

Destin Drywall was issued a separate serious citation with a $1,500 penalty earlier this year for not providing proper fall protection while performing work at a Wal-Mart location in Benbrook, Texas, according to OSHA. The company also was issued two additional serious citations and $3,375 in penalties for similar hazards while performing work at a Wal-Mart in North East, Md., officials said.