Making a living… high up in the sky

Tower crane operators work silently high above the ground, contributing to the timely and safe completion of major construction projects in Hai Phong city.

Tower cranes are a common sight at major construction sites in Hai Phong city.

Working at heights

On a winter morning, the construction site of the Hoang Huy New City Project (Thuy Nguyen Ward) is bustling with activity. Workers begin their shifts early.

In the middle of the construction site, the tower crane stands tall, prominent against the sky. At the base of the tower, Pham Van Tung, a tower crane operator from Ninh Binh with over 10 years of experience, checks his safety helmet and harness before climbing the iron ladder attached along the tower's body. The ladder is steep and narrow, with each step barely wide enough for one foot. "For tower crane operators, climbing into the cabin is a familiar daily routine, but we can never be complacent. Every day, that journey is repeated four times, at a height that would make many people hesitate just by looking up from below," Tung shared about his profession.

This is where tower crane operators work at heights exceeding the height of the structures.

The tower crane cabin sits hundreds of meters above the ground, its space less than one square meter. When the cabin door closes, each shift typically lasts four hours. In that cramped space, the worker is almost completely isolated from the construction site below. “From the cabin, the entire construction site is within view. Groups of workers are constantly moving. Vehicles carrying materials are constantly coming and going. Further away are the roads leading to the city center, with a steady stream of cars,” Tùng describes the daily routines of working at such heights.

The tower crane operator controls the crane to lift and lower individual pieces of material onto the high-rise building.

The job of a tower crane operator is to control the crane to raise and lower each load of material according to commands from the ground. They must observe, listen to signals, and control the crane precisely with each movement. Even a single inaccurate operation can endanger workers below. "Working up here doesn't allow for distractions. A shift is four hours sitting still in one place, with continuous concentration," Tùng said.

According to those working as tower crane operators, crane operators rarely speak directly to anyone during their shifts. All communication with the ground is via walkie-talkie, brief and precise. The work is hectic, sometimes leaving no time for lunch. Personal activities become inconvenient when working at such heights.

Mr. Tran Van Vinh, originally from Lao Cai province, has been working on social housing projects in Tan Hung ward since the beginning of 2025. Having been a tower crane operator for five years, Mr. Vinh jokingly remarked: "We are like Spider-Men because we work on tower cranes high in the air all day. The feeling of being suspended between heaven and earth, coupled with the prolonged silence, is a huge challenge for newcomers. Many people quit after only a few months because they can't handle the psychological pressure."

Responsibility to the profession

In addition to professional certification, tower crane operators must have good health and a strong mental fortitude.

To work as a tower crane operator, in addition to professional certification, workers must have good health and a strong mental fortitude. Nguyen Van Tuan, from Truong Tan commune, who has been working in this profession for nearly 10 years, says the biggest pressure comes from responsibility. Every time materials are lifted high, one must always remember that below are colleagues, people who trust in the accuracy of the crane operator. "Even a small mistake can cause an accident, so I always tell myself to stay calm," Tuan said.

The dangers in this profession come from many sources. Inaccurate calculations of material loads can cause serious accidents. Lightweight materials are easily swayed by strong winds, making them difficult to position correctly. On drizzly or foggy days, with limited visibility, the cabin vibrates slightly, forcing the driver to concentrate even more. "In bad weather, the most important thing is to stay calm. Panicking leads to loss of control," Tuan shared.

Before each shift, tower crane operators must carefully inspect their equipment.

Before each shift, tower crane operators must inspect the cables, brakes, and electrical systems. This is a mandatory procedure, as even a minor malfunction can lead to unpredictable consequences. Occupational accidents are not uncommon. Stories of colleagues being injured, or even losing their lives, are still passed around as a constant reminder of the thin line between safety and risk.

The work is arduous and risky, yet the income of a tower crane operator is only 9-12 million VND per month, depending on the project and experience. In return, they spend months and days at construction sites, constantly moving from place to place, with little time for family. "There were years when I was still at the construction site until the 30th of Tet (Lunar New Year). Calling home and hearing my children ask when I'll be coming home made me feel sad," Tùng recounted.

Many people leave the profession because they can't handle the pressure and the prolonged homesickness. Those who stay mostly do so for a living and a sense of responsibility. At heights of hundreds of meters, in a cramped cabin barely large enough to turn around, crane operators face strong winds from all sides, with houses and people below looking tiny. Every lifting, lowering, rotating, and positioning operation must be almost perfectly precise, because behind it lies the safety of the entire construction site.

Working at heights, workers must always maintain composure, and all communication with the ground must be concise and clear to avoid even the smallest mistakes.

Working at heights for extended periods, the workers gradually become accustomed to the precarious feeling, but they never allow themselves to be complacent. "I'm still scared, but that fear makes me more alert," Tuan said. On windy days, the crane body shakes violently, and the operator can only remind himself to stay calm, ensuring all communication with the ground is brief and clear to avoid mistakes.

What keeps tower crane operators dedicated to their profession, besides the responsibility of making a living, are the very special moments that not every job offers. “It’s those early mornings, when the city is still sleepy, standing high above and watching the sun rise, its light gradually spreading across the rooftops and streets. That moment makes us feel calm, and all the fatigue seems to subside,” Vinh said.

With the increasing number of high-rise buildings, the silent contributions of tower crane operators are indispensable.

High up between heaven and earth, tower crane operators silently work day after day, carrying not only heavy loads of materials but also worries about safety, livelihood, and the future. Few see them, but every construction project bears the silent mark of these people "hanging" high above.

HAI MINH

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/muu-sinh-noi-lung-chung-troi-534795.html