Work stopped at 15 building sites after safety checks
A number of construction sites across Scotland have been told to stop work immediately following inspections by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Out of a total of 78 sites checked during the first three weeks of September, 15 Prohibition Notices were served, and work halted.
They were all due to proper precautions not in place for working at height.
The HSE said that in the year to April 2012, 49 workers had lost their lives on construction sites in the UK.
Falls from height were the most common cause of fatal injuries.
Jeanette Reuben, from the HSE, said: "Whilst the initiative was primarily to raise awareness of the problem of unsafe working practices, it is of serious concern that such a significant proportion of sites visited were undertaking work at height in a dangerous manner.
"Safe access equipment is readily available for purchase or hire and there is no excuse for workers, and the self employed, to put themselves in a position of danger when working at height.
"HSE will continue to maintain a strong enforcement profile where there is blatant disregard to safe working practice."