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Transport & StorageISCO 8342

Scraper operator

A scraper operator is a person who runs a scraper: the heavy earthmoving machine that shaves the top layer of soil off a site and collects it in a hopper to be carried away.

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Rate 5 of the 16 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

keep heavy construction equipment in good condition

operate construction scraper

dig soil mechanically

inspect construction sites

prevent damage to utility infrastructure

About scraper operator

What a scraper operator does is drive the machine over the surface being cut while controlling the depth and the speed of the cut. The speed has to be matched to how hard the ground is, because a surface that resists the blade will stall the machine or leave an uneven cut, and the operator reads that from the behaviour of the machine as much as from the ground. GPS systems are used to hold the cut to the levels set in the site plan, so the operator works to a design rather than by eye. A scraper driver then takes each load to where the material is wanted and deposits it there.

Before and during the work the operator keeps the heavy construction equipment in good condition, carrying out the daily checks and servicing that keep a machine of this size reliable.

Safety shapes the whole job. The operator identifies hazards from dangerous goods on site, avoids damage to public utilities buried in the ground being cut, and follows the health and safety procedures of the construction sector. Working ergonomically matters over a long shift in a seat. Requirements for the post, including any machine licence, are set by the employer and national construction rules.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (16)

mechanical toolsmechanical toolsVarious type of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.mechanical systemsmechanical systemsMechanical systems, including gears, engines, hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Their functions and likely defects.keep heavy construction equipment in good conditionkeep heavy construction equipment in good conditionInspect heavy equipment for construction projects before each use. Maintain the machine in good working order, taking care of small repairs and alerting the responsible person in case of serious defec...work ergonomicallywork ergonomicallyApply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.operate construction scraperoperate construction scraperOperate a scraper, a piece of heavy equipment that scrapes a layer of soil from the surface and transports it in a hopper.dig soil mechanicallydig soil mechanicallyUse mechanical equipment to dig up and move soil. Form pits according to excavation plans.inspect construction sitesinspect construction sitesEnsure health and safety during the construction project by inspecting the construction site regularly. Identify risks of putting people in danger or of damaging construction equipment.work in a construction teamwork in a construction teamWork as part of a team in a construction project. Communicate efficiently, sharing information with team members and reporting to supervisors. Follow instructions and adapt to changes in a flexible ma...prevent damage to utility infrastructureprevent damage to utility infrastructureConsult utility companies or plans on the location of any utility infrastructure that may interfere with a project or be damaged by it. Take the necessary steps to avoid damage.move soilmove soilUse machinery to load and unload soil. Take care not to overload the machine. Dump the soil judiciously in the assigned place.follow health and safety procedures in constructionfollow health and safety procedures in constructionApply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.recognise the hazards of dangerous goodsrecognise the hazards of dangerous goodsBe aware of the threats posed by potentially dangerous goods such as polluting, toxic, corrosive, or explosive materials.operate GPS systemsoperate GPS systemsUse GPS Systems.drive mobile heavy construction equipmentdrive mobile heavy construction equipmentDrive movable heavy equipment used in construction. Load the equipment onto low loaders, or unload it. Judiciously drive equipment on public roads when required.react to events in time-critical environmentsreact to events in time-critical environmentsMonitor the situation around you and anticipate. Be ready to take quick and appropriate action in case of unexpected events.use safety equipment in constructionuse safety equipment in constructionUse elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if an accident do...
Optional (18) — show
machinery load capacitymachinery load capacityThe maximum load capacity of the operated piece of machinery, under different circumstances and in different positions and movements. Passive load capacity and active load capacity, which is measure w...electricityelectricityThe principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.sort wastesort wasteManually or automatically sort waste by separating it into its different elements.operate heavy construction machinery without supervisionoperate heavy construction machinery without supervisionWork with heavy construction machinery independently without the intervention of a supervisor. Take responsibility for your decisions and actions.monitor stock levelmonitor stock levelEvaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.transport construction suppliestransport construction suppliesBring construction materials, tools and equipment to the construction site and store them properly taking various aspects into account such as the workers' safety and protection from deterioration.operate road rolleroperate road rollerOperate various types of mechanic and manual road rollers, pieces of equipment used to compact surfaces.operate graderoperate graderOperate a grader, a piece of heavy equipment used in construction to create a flat surface.operate excavatoroperate excavatorOperate excavators used to dig materials from the surface and load them onto dump trucks.keep personal administrationkeep personal administrationFile and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.interpret 3D plansinterpret 3D plansInterpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in three dimensions.perform minor repairs to equipmentperform minor repairs to equipmentConduct routine maintenance on equipment. Recognise and identify minor defects in equipment and make repairs if appropriate.keep records of work progresskeep records of work progressMaintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.secure heavy construction equipmentsecure heavy construction equipmentSecure heavy equipment such as tower cranes or concrete pumps before, during, and after use to prevent damage to the machines, workforce or construction site. Take precautionary steps such as retracti...interpret 2D plansinterpret 2D plansInterpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in two dimensions.set up temporary construction site infrastructureset up temporary construction site infrastructureSet up a variety of temporary infrastructure used on building sites. Put up fences and signs. Set up any construction trailers and make sure that these are connected to electricity lines and water sup...follow safety procedures when working at heightsfollow safety procedures when working at heightsTake necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these structures...test soil load bearing capacitytest soil load bearing capacityTest the capacity of the ground to support the load applied to it before installing heavy structures, such as tower cranes, or before driving on it with heavy vehicles.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

bulldozer operator15 shared essential skillsexcavator operator13 shared essential skillsroad roller operator13 shared essential skillsgrader operator11 shared essential skillsconcrete pump operator10 shared essential skillsdemolition worker10 shared essential skillsdismantling worker9 shared essential skillsmobile crane operator9 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a scraper operator do?

Scraper operators work with a mobile piece of heavy equipment that scrapes the top layer of the ground and deposits it in a hopper to be hauled off. They drive the scraper over the surface to be scraped, adapting the speed of the machine to the hardness of the surface.

What skills does a scraper operator need?

A scraper operator needs 16 essential skills, including mechanical tools, mechanical systems, keep heavy construction equipment in good condition, work ergonomically, operate construction scraper.

Will AI replace scraper operator jobs?

The AI disruption score for scraper operator is 26/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: monitor stock level, keep personal administration, keep records of work progress. Most resilient: electricity, use safety equipment in construction, operate heavy construction machinery without supervision.

Quick Facts

SectorTransport & Storage
ISCO GroupDrivers and mobile plant operators
Essential Skills16

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