Top 5 Safety Tips for Safely Operating in a Construction Scraper

Construction scrapers are some of the most effective machines for earthmoving, as they are used for leveling and hauling large loads of soil. While they are crucial for improving productivity on job sites, they are also incredibly dangerous if misused. The prioritization of construction scraper safety is crucial for the protection of operators, ground crews, and the surrounding ecosystem. According to OSHA, construction-related accidents account for nearly 20% of all workplace fatalities in the U.S., making the enforcement of safety protocols essential for the use of heavy equipment.

Construction scrapers, also known as scraper types of construction machinery, are hefty types of machines that can cut, carry, and drop large quantities of soil and materials. These construction scrubber machines are versatile in their use, as scrapers can fully load up to about 100,000 pounds. Due to this weight, these machines are both treasured and dangerous. With the correct guidelines and proper detection and monitoring, the risk that these machines pose can be significantly minimized.

This is why in this blog, we will discuss the 5 most important scraper operation safety tips that every construction team should implement, and what construction equipment safety guidelines they should observe.

Why Construction Scrapper Safety Matters?

Operating a scraper construction machine involves risks like rollovers, blind spots, equipment failure, and operator fatigue. In 2022, more than 1,000 deaths related to safety issues while using heavy equipment were reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Such numbers indicate the necessity of training, awareness, and preventive measures.  

Operating a scraper construction vehicle comes with awesome power, but if misused, it can cause devastating accidents, significant delays, and serious injuries. The same reason rules and the safety protocols are put in place is the same reason to abide by them: they are lifesaving. In 2023, the number of fatal work injuries in the United States was 5,283, which means out of every 100,000 full-time equivalent workers, about 3.5 workers were killed. Construction-related deaths are primarily caused by “struck by” incidents. That is, workers getting hit by machines, and falling or flying objects. Roughly three out of every four deaths involve heavy equipment or heavy machines. 

1. Conduct Daily Equipment Inspections

First and foremost, the construction scrapers should remain in proper operating condition. Performing daily inspections will help reduce the likelihood of accidents and machine breakdowns

Key Inspection Points:

• Assess any signs of damage or cracks in the tires.
• Look for any sign of a leak or an issue in the closed-loop system.
• Assess all light signal indicators, parking lights, the horn, and reverse beeps.
• Assuring proper levels of the machine: engine oil, coolant, and hydraulic fluid.

It is easier to lessen or eliminate any injuries if preventive measures are applied and used. Numerous studies have shown an undeniable link. OSHA directly states that equipment maintenance contributes to a staggering 15% of heavy equipment-related accidents. Don’t forget to follow the regulations.

2. Prioritize Operator Training and Certification

Even top-of-the-line scraper construction equipment isn’t safe unless the operator has been trained correctly. Proper training helps workers understand the machine they operate, as well as all the associated dangers.  

The training includes:

• The safe operation of heavy machinery. You can get our Crane Operator Safety course for safe operation and setup
• Emergency response procedures and protocols for malfunctioning machinery. Purchase the Emergency Action Plan Awareness course today.
• Basic construction vehicle and OSHA construction site safety procedures.  

According to CPWR (Center for Construction Research and Training), trained workers had about 12% lower injury rates than untrained peers.  For compliance, explore OSHA Online Trainings to determine the needs of your workforce. 

3. Follow Site-Specific Scraper Operation Safety Tips

Creating a safe working environment requires attention to both the immediate operating area and the broader construction site. Construction scraper safety extends beyond the machine itself to encompass the entire work environment.

On-Site Best Practices:

• Use two-way radios and hand gestures to provide clear instructions to the crews.
• Primary operators should be told to identify, mark, and ensure that blind spots are kept clear of the scraper construction vehicles.
• Construct traffic coordination techniques for the prevention of collisions.
• Mark or barricade blind spots; the use of spotters is imperative, especially for reversing or moving near other personnel
• Weather protocols: Slippery ground and fog both reduce evaluation and grasp.

NIOSH reports that struck-by incidents are one of the top four causes of construction fatalities, which are often attributed to a lack of communication or planning regarding the site itself.

4. Practice Safe Operating Techniques

Operators of construction investment must practice safe handling methods. Unfortunately, bad behavior can still infiltrate, even with both evaluation and training. One solution, however, is to require operators to attend formal training classes to reinforce the proper actions.  

Core Behaviors:

The absence of any form of restraint worsens many rollover or vehicle-impact injuries. The Construction Safety Orientation course emphasizes the importance of operator restraints, PPE, and caution when working around large moving machine parts.

Drones, overtime, and sudden movements pose a danger to both the operator and bystanders. The OSHA 10-Hour Construction training teaches safe driving procedures and what actions to take when encountering blockages.

The Equipment Operating training, which is part of the OSHA 30-Hour Construction training, delves deeper into the factors that affect equipment control, such as overloads, lack of movement, or loss of control, as well as the packing of the scraper bowl due to overspeed of the load.

Many of these courses cover the regulations and best practices surrounding machine operation, including ensuring that operators strictly follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. The Construction Safety Orientation curriculum typically includes guidelines on who may ride in or operate machinery and under what conditions.

5. Implement Preventive Maintenance Programs

In addition to daily inspections, long-term safety maintenance should be a scheduled activity. Preventive maintenance lessens the chances of a breakdown, increases the functioning period of a machine, and ensures the  construction equipment safety guidelines.

Key Actions

• Calendar-driven oil changes, filter changes, static fluid changes, and fluid brake flushes.
• Adjust safeguards, reserve cameras, and safety switches.
• Review and maintain mechanical systems, including the scraper box, blades, outer circumference, cutter tips, and suspension.
• Accurate records on maintenance and repair schedules, part substitutions, and operation hours tracking.

To deepen preventive maintenance capability, enrolling in courses such as OSHA 30-Hour Construction Training, OSHA Electrical Safety Standards & Requirements, Forklift Certification, or OSHA 10-Hour General Industry can arm your operators and maintenance crews with the skills to calibrate safety systems, monitor component wear, and enforce equipment maintenance for safety and reliability.

Additional Safety Considerations

Although construction scrapers are distinct machines, their function sometimes correlates with that of another heavy machine, namely, excavators. Taking principles of excavator safety—such as maintaining distance, using spotters—enhances the operations of scrapers as well.

Quick Tips:

• Always park scrapers on level ground when not in use.  
• Lock out/tag out equipment before repairs.  
• Fatigue-related mistakes are minimized when operators are well rested.

Final Thoughts 

As we conclude, it’s crucial to know that construction scraper safety is not only about “checking the box.” It also mitigates lost time and wasted lives while also boosting productivity. Fatal construction site accidents can be avoided by following these five ‘simple’ best practices: daily site safety checks, operator and staff scraper safety education, site access protocols for safe operation of any machinery, safe operation techniques, and preventive maintenance.  

Having heavy machinery safety training taught and then reinforced through on-site constant scraper safety precautions fosters a safety culture that benefits all site workers. If learning safety is a goal, consider accredited programs like those offered by OSHAonlinetrainings.