Bexhill-on-Sea based Totalscaff (GB) was found guilty of safety breaches and fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £10,000 in costs.

Scaffold erector Christian Ball, 35, who pleaded guilty to a breach of safety regulations, was fined £2,500 and ordered to pay £2,274 costs.

The problems came to light when a Health and Safety Executive  inspector visited a site at Claremont, Hastings, last April where building repairs and external work were being carried out.

The inspector found that scaffolding erected around the building had not been adequately tied, meaning it was unstable.

By law, all scaffolding must be inspected by a competent person before it can be used.

Hastings Magistrates’ Court was told the worker Ball who undertook safety checks was previously advised of the need to adequately tie scaffolding but had overlooked this advice.

HSE Inspector Melvyn Stancliffe said:  “Scaffold collapses can have serious consequences.

“HSE will take firm action against individuals and contractors who ignore their health and safety obligations.

“It is essential that contractors and contract managers equip themselves with the necessary information and guidance material and apply it each and every time a scaffold is built.”