The winning Idiots on Ladders picture received nearly 60% more votes than its two joint runners-up.

It showed two men inside the bucket of an excavator which was already around 20 feet off the ground, with one of them footing the ladder in the bucket so the other could climb to the top.

Ladder Association Communications & Social Media Officer, Michael Fern, said: “This year the public sent in more pictures of people working dangerously at height than ever before, and some of the pictures were among the most unbelievable we have seen.

“Along with the winner, one of the runners up also showed a ladder being used from inside an excavator, hinting at how worryingly common even ideas as ridiculous as these can be.

“Idiots on Ladders is a great reminder of the importance of training.

“Its message is clear – if you are using a ladder you must make sure that you are competent, otherwise you really are taking your life in your hands.”

The winner and joint runner-ups: