CRANE IN ACTION AT BAINBRIDGE BETHESDA CONSTRUCTION SITE (PHOTOS)

Do you know how to "dog everything?" "Travel?" "Emergency stop?"

Time to brush up on the international Crane Signals, as we look at the tower crane in action at the Bainbridge Bethesda construction site.

You usually think about heavy objects and loads being lifted to higher floors from street level. But in these photos, the crane is actually lowering a heavy load of trash from the 18th level rooftop to a dumpster way down on Fairmont Avenue.

I've posted the Crane Signals chart below, which you can click to enlarge. Learn what the signals are to better follow what's happening at construction sites in the area. And I'm still convinced that crane signals are the next workout fad.

LOWER THE BOOM, AND RAISE THE LOAD!

BETHESDA ROW CRANE UPDATE (PHOTOS)

The tower crane at the Lot 31 construction site is essentially completed. As you can see, some, if not all, of the counterweights are in place.

Looming over Bethesda Row, this crane will be assisting construction of The Darcy, The Flats, and a subterranean, 900-space parking garage to be shared by both buildings.

BETHESDA CRANE WEEK: LIFE OF A CRANE OPERATOR

Bethesda Crane Week continues!  Wednesday, you learned crane signals.  But what about the brave men and women who climb into the clouds and operate these machines?

It's not a lifestyle for the faint of heart!

Up on these rigs, even getting lunch is a major operation.  And there's no elevator ride to the top, either.

Experience the crane operator's non-operating challenges vicariously, in these exclusive photos:

In this close-up, you can see the ladders leading
up to the crane rig.  That's Triangle Towers in
the background

Click to enlarge this, and you'll see an
intrepid crane man making the climb

The day is over, but the crane men can't carry
their lunch coolers down; they're lowered down

A long way down!

"Hope I screwed that Thermos lid on tight!"

"Don't drop my egg salad!"

In case you doubted those were really lunch coolers