A Bradford property developer has been fined £10,000 for serious safety failings that endangered the lives of workers on a refurbishment project.

HQ Leisure Limited, of Park Drive, Heaton, pleaded guilty to six charges at Hull Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

Magistrates heard inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found a number of safety problems that could have caused a serious injury or fatality at a site on Albion Street, Hull, in October 2007, where a row of four-storey terrace buildings was being converted.

In addition to the £10,000 fine, HQ Leisure was also ordered to pay £10,000 costs. The charges included one breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, two breaches of the Construction Regulations 2007 and three breaches of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. Inspectors found:

- rear scaffolding had not been properly inspected, and was dangerously unstable because of missing structural supports

- roofing materials were being thrown from a 15m-high platform into an area where other contractors were working below

- unsuitable ladders were being used to access upper floors

- insufficient and unsecured boards were being used in the roof space leaving workers at risk of falling through the ceiling joists

- voids created by the demolition of a rear extension had not been guarded

- no toilet had been provided for the workers and washing facilities were inadequate.

Following the hearing, HSE Inspector Stephen Hargreaves said: “HQ Leisure Limited blatantly disregarded the importance of a safe working site, leaving their workers on Albion Street at risk of serious injury or even death.

“Many people are killed on construction sites every year, and suitable planning and risk management is vital to prevent unnecessary risk.

“That clearly didn’t happen on this occasion and there are a number of simple, practical measures that could and should have been taken by HQ Leisure Ltd.

“Property developers must be aware of their duties towards the health and safety of their workers.”