CFMEU delegate says Jon Faine is welcome to climb a crane to investigate safety concerns

The CFMEU delegate for the worksite shown in a controversial photo says claims the image shows a crane driver sleeping on a ledge are 'absolutely ludicrous'.

Delegate Chris Brett says the photo, sent to Jon Faine by a listener, shows a mechanic at work rather than a crane driver resting.

He says the mechanic would be operating a lever which is in such a position that it requires working while lying down.

"He's pulling a lever which operates a self pumping mechanism," says Chris Brett.

The delegate says he 'can't vouch for' why the mechanic appears to not be wearing a helmet.

A worker in the city, who wishes to be known as 'Sam', sent the photo to Jon Faine.

He writes:

Hi John,

I took a picture of a crane operator (CFMEU mbr) sleeping outside his cabin last week...

I was really worried he would fall to his death.

I now question who creates this so called dangerous work environment the union keeps harping on...

Employers or Union members taking risks?

Sam works several floors up in a city office tower looking out to the site.

"I saw a crane driver decide to get out of his cabin, walk around the top of the crane and decide to take a power nap for about 10-15 minutes on the edge of the cabin," says Sam.

"He had no harness," says Sam. "I just found it really concerning."

CFMEU State Secretary John Setka says the image has to be seen in context.

"I'm not for a moment saying it's a good look," says John Setka. "You don't know what the circumstances are."

"Sometimes it's not what it seems," says John Setka.

The image comes in a week when construction worker safety is in the news, after a 59 year old died in a 35 metre fall from a crane platform at a city construction site.

CFMEU delegate Chris Brett has said Jon Faine would be welcome to visit the site and climb a crane to investigate whether there is a lever which is accessible only when lying down.

Negotiations are underway to allow this to happen.

Jon Faine broadcasts Mornings.