Thursday, April 19, 2012

Tallest crane

A treat in yesterday’s Times – an interview by Fay Schlesinger with John Young, the senior operator on the tower crane used in the construction of London’s latest skyscraper, The Shard.

Double page spread complete with some stunning photos.

From up there – 95 floors up – he can see the ships at Southend & feel the vibration of the planes only 300 metres above him as they come along the Thames on their way to landing at Heathrow. He manages the mind-boggling feat of lifting 12 tonne loads of glass panels & steel beams on cables which weigh a tonne themselves, while making sure that none swings & crashes into the side of the building below.

It takes him 40 minutes each day just to climb the ladders from where the lift stops on the 55th floor to his crane at the very top.

Work stops only when the wind blows at more than 38mph.

Mr Young, who is 49 years old, left school at 16 &worked as a welder until, when it began to affect his lungs, a crane driver suggested he change to a fresh air occupation. A two week conversion course & 14 years experience & the rest is history

Links  
Related post  
I love cranes