Scandinavian Log Cabins Direct Ltd, based in Theddlethorpe, near Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire, was fined £500 and ordered to pay £500 towards the costs after pleading guilty of breaching regulation 4 (1) (c) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, at Skegness Magistrates' Court today.

Raymond Martin, a 48 year old who lived locally, had been working on a tower scaffold on 6 August 2007, as part of his work to construct a log cabin. During a break, the scaffolded area had been removed, so Mr Martin completed his work using a section of a two-part ladder which was not tied, secured or footed. The ladder slipped and he fell three metres onto a concrete floor, sustaining serious injuries.

HSE inspector Judith McNulty-Green said:

"This incident could easily have been avoided if the company had done a proper risk assessment to ensure adequate safety measures were in place for people working at height, including planning and supervising this work. None of these things happened.

"All employers should heed this warning to ensure that they have safe systems of work in place when organising work at height. HSE will not hesitate to prosecute employers who put the safety of others at risk."