ZIN - A pilot in the city

"Everything is risky, nothing is easy. You really have to be precise and know what you are doing. Because any mistake can be fatal." explains Jean-Claude, crane driver of the ZIN project.

A job as a crane driver is not an easy one. On the contrary. Not only do you have to have excellent spatial and technical insight, whereby depths and distances have to be estimated correctly, but also good risk management is an absolute must. The responsibility is enormous and any misjudgement can be fatal.

Jean-Claude, crane driver of the ZIN project during the dismantling phase, has been able to experience this in person every day. Each time, he starts his day with a climb of no less than 115 meters. From this immense height, he could see the city stretching out below him from his cabin. Cranes are sometimes also controlled from ground level, but due to the enormous size of the project, a good view of the cores is crucial.

While following the instructions of a colleague on the ground floor, the crane driver hoists and lifts containers and other heavy objects and puts them back in the right place.

During the dismantling phase of the project, which is almost at its end, Jean-Claude separated, among other things, the aluminium from the concrete for recycling into new high-quality concrete. Want to know more about the reuse of the new concrete in the ZIN project? Read it on the ZIN website!

Crane driver is therefore not just a job. It is a profession for which you need passion, courage and last but not least, a good physical condition! Thank you to Jean-Claude and all other crane drivers of Befimmo’s construction sites for their daily dedication!

Curious what a working day of Jean-Claude looks like? Watch the video below! (Warning: not suitable for viewers with vertigo!)

Thank you Karine Dana for the amazing images!

Curious about more stories or the progress of the ZIN project? Read it all on zin.brussels or check out our latest newsletter!