The builder pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 at Bridlington Magistrates Court.

The court heard that during a routine inspection in on 29 April 2009, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) witnessed people working on scaffolding that was unsafe and posed a risk of serious, if not fatal, injuries.

An investigation revealed that between 2 April and 29 April employees working at the new housing build were put at risk of falls of up to 5 metres. The internal and external scaffolding was poorly erected and there was no edge protection in place.

Following the hearing a HSE Inspector commented:

"Falls from height remain the largest cause of fatal and serious injuries in the construction industry. The scaffolding at the construction site was dangerous and people should not have been allowed to use it.

The risks of working at height, and the measures required to avert these risks, particularly with scaffolding, are well documented. We hope today's prosecution serves as a reminder to all companies using scaffolding that they need to ensure that it is erected by trained and competent persons, and that it is fir for purpose."