BlueSafe
Scraper Risk Assessment

Scraper Risk Assessment

  • • 100% Compliant with Australian WHS Acts & Regulations
  • • Fully Editable MS Word & PDF Formats Included
  • • Pre-filled Content – Ready to Deploy Immediately
  • • Customisable – Easily Add Your Logo & Site Details
  • • Includes 2 Years of Free Compliance Updates

Scraper Risk Assessment

Product Overview

Identify and control organisational risks associated with scraper selection, operation and lifecycle management using this comprehensive Scraper Risk Assessment as a strategic WHS and governance tool. Strengthen Due Diligence, demonstrate compliance with the WHS Act, and reduce organisational and operational liability linked to scraper operations across your business.

Risk Categories & Hazards Covered

This document assesses risks and outlines management controls for:

  • System Governance and WHS Duties: Assessment of officer due diligence, PCBU responsibilities, safety leadership, allocation of WHS roles, and integration of scraper risks into corporate risk frameworks.
  • Procurement, Design and Specification of Scrapers: Management of plant selection criteria, compliance with design standards, guarding and safety features, ergonomic considerations, and whole-of-life risk in purchasing decisions.
  • Organisational Competency, Training and Supervision: Assessment of competency frameworks, licensing and verification of competency (VoC), induction programs, supervision levels, and refresher training for scraper operators and support personnel.
  • Scraper Maintenance, Inspection and Asset Management Systems: Management of preventive maintenance schedules, OEM compliance, pre-start checks, defect reporting, isolation and tagging procedures, and lifecycle asset management for scrapers.
  • Operational Planning, Scheduling and Fatigue Management: Assessment of production targets, roster design, shift length, fatigue risk management systems, and planning of scraper operations to minimise time pressure and unsafe behaviours.
  • Site Layout, Traffic Management and Plant Interfaces: Management of haul roads, dump points, work zones, separation of people and plant, interaction with other mobile equipment, and traffic control plans for scraper movements.
  • Information, Documentation and Change Management: Protocols for developing and controlling procedures, safe operating instructions, technical data, version control, and formal management of change for scraper-related modifications.
  • Emergency Preparedness, Incident Management and Recovery: Assessment of emergency response plans, rescue arrangements, communication systems, first aid, incident notification, investigation processes, and business continuity following scraper incidents.
  • Contractor and Supplier Management for Scraper Operations: Management of contractor pre-qualification, scope definition, WHS requirements in contracts, performance monitoring, and integration of supplier and hire equipment into site systems.
  • Monitoring, Audit, Consultation and Continuous Improvement: Systems for inspections, audits, safety performance metrics, worker consultation, toolbox talks, corrective actions, and ongoing improvement of scraper-related WHS controls.

Who is this for?

This Risk Assessment is designed for Business Owners, Quarry and Mining Managers, Civil Contractors, and Safety Managers responsible for planning, procuring, and overseeing scraper operations across their organisation.

Hazards & Risks Covered

Hazard Risk Description
1. System Governance and WHS Duties
  • • Lack of clear WHS governance structure for the use, maintenance and supervision of scraper operations
  • • Officers not exercising due diligence to ensure the scraper system complies with WHS Act 2011 and WHS Regulation
  • • No formal WHS policy or safety objectives specific to mobile plant and earthmoving equipment (including scrapers)
  • • Inadequate integration of scraper risks into the organisation’s WHS management system and risk register
  • • Failure to consult with workers and Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) about scraper-related risks and controls
  • • No documented process for monitoring compliance with relevant Australian Standards, Codes of Practice and OEM requirements for scrapers
2. Procurement, Design and Specification of Scrapers
  • • Procurement decisions driven primarily by cost or productivity without systematic WHS risk evaluation
  • • Scraper selected or modified without ensuring it is intrinsically safe and fit for the specific operating environment (e.g. gradients, ground conditions, traffic interaction)
  • • Lack of formal pre‑procurement risk assessment and consultation with operators, maintenance personnel and HSRs
  • • No documented requirements for safety features (e.g. ROPS/FOPS, seat restraints, visibility aids, emergency stop systems, access/egress design)
  • • Use of imported equipment without evidence of conformity to relevant Australian Standards or equivalent safety benchmarks
  • • Uncontrolled engineering modifications or aftermarket attachments that impact stability, braking, visibility or guarding
3. Organisational Competency, Training and Supervision
  • • Inadequate verification of competency for scraper operators, leading to unsafe operation and poor hazard recognition
  • • No structured training program addressing site‑specific risks, traffic management, fatigue, and emergency procedures related to scraper use
  • • Supervisors lacking competence to monitor scraper operations and enforce safety requirements
  • • Absence of refresher training or competency reassessment following incidents, role changes or equipment upgrades
  • • Over‑reliance on informal on‑the‑job training without documented standards or assessment criteria
  • • Contractor personnel operating scrapers without alignment to principal’s competency and training standards
4. Scraper Maintenance, Inspection and Asset Management Systems
  • • Lack of systematic preventive maintenance for scrapers leading to mechanical failures, loss of control or uncontrolled releases of energy
  • • No formal process for defect reporting, tagging and removal from service
  • • Incomplete or inaccessible maintenance records, hindering tracking of recurring faults and regulatory compliance
  • • Maintenance tasks undertaken without appropriate isolation, lock‑out and verification procedures
  • • Failure to follow OEM maintenance schedules or use competent personnel for critical tasks
  • • Inadequate management of spare parts quality, including use of non‑conforming or incompatible components
5. Operational Planning, Scheduling and Fatigue Management
  • • Poor planning of scraper work leading to congestion, conflicting activities and increased collision risk
  • • Excessive shift lengths, inadequate breaks or poorly managed rosters contributing to operator fatigue and reduced vigilance
  • • Production targets or incentives encouraging unsafe operating practices or short‑cuts in pre‑use checks and communication
  • • Inadequate consideration of environmental conditions (e.g. heat, dust, low visibility, wet weather) in operational planning
  • • Insufficient contingency planning for breakdowns, delays and plant unavailability, leading to pressure on operators and maintenance teams
6. Site Layout, Traffic Management and Interface with Other Plant
  • • Inadequate traffic management systems for scrapers interacting with other mobile plant, light vehicles and pedestrians
  • • Poorly designed haul roads, loading and dumping areas leading to roll‑over or collision risks
  • • Lack of formalised exclusion zones around scrapers, particularly during loading, turning and reversing
  • • Insufficient communication protocols (e.g. two‑way radio procedures, hand signals) between scraper operators and other workers
  • • Uncontrolled interface with public roads or third‑party sites when scrapers need to cross or operate near boundaries
7. Information, Documentation and Change Management
  • • Critical scraper safety information (procedures, risk assessments, manuals) not readily accessible or kept up to date
  • • Workers unaware of changes to scraper systems, layouts, procedures or equipment configuration
  • • No formal management of change (MoC) process for alterations to scraper use, environment or organisational structure
  • • Inconsistent documentation across different projects or sites leading to confusion and variable standards
  • • Failure to capture and share learnings from incidents, audits and industry alerts relevant to scrapers
8. Emergency Preparedness, Incident Management and Recovery
  • • Lack of site‑specific emergency response planning for scraper incidents such as roll‑over, entrapment, collision or fire
  • • Workers unsure of roles, responsibilities and communication protocols during scraper‑related emergencies
  • • Insufficient resources and equipment (e.g. rescue gear, firefighting equipment, first aid) to respond effectively to scraper incidents
  • • Incomplete or delayed reporting and investigation of scraper‑related incidents and near misses
  • • No systematic process for verifying the effectiveness of corrective actions after scraper incidents
9. Contractor and Supplier Management for Scraper Operations
  • • Contractor organisations operating scrapers under differing safety standards and systems from the principal
  • • Insufficient prequalification and due diligence on contractor WHS systems relating to mobile plant and scrapers
  • • Poor communication of site‑specific scraper risks, traffic rules and emergency procedures to contractors and suppliers
  • • Ambiguity in contractual WHS responsibilities and supervision arrangements for scraper activities
  • • Inconsistent monitoring and enforcement of scraper‑related safety requirements for contractors compared with employees
10. Monitoring, Audit, Consultation and Continuous Improvement
  • • Lack of systematic monitoring of scraper‑related WHS performance and control effectiveness
  • • Under‑reporting of scraper near misses and hazards due to cultural or system barriers
  • • Infrequent or superficial workplace inspections and audits relating to scrapers
  • • Insufficient worker consultation and feedback loops on scraper risks and proposed changes
  • • No structured process for reviewing and updating scraper risk assessments and controls over time

Need to add specific hazards for your workplace?

Don't worry if a specific hazard isn't listed above. Once you purchase, simply log in to your Client Portal and add your own custom hazards at no extra cost. We take care of the hard work—creating the risk ratings and control measures for free—to ensure your document is compliant within minutes.

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
  • Model Code of Practice – Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace: Guidance on identifying, assessing and controlling risks associated with plant, including mobile equipment such as scrapers.
  • Model Code of Practice – Work Health and Safety Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination: Requirements for engaging workers and contractors in scraper safety management.
  • Model Code of Practice – Managing the Work Environment and Facilities: Requirements for safe work environments supporting scraper operations.
  • AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018: Risk management — Guidelines for establishing, implementing and maintaining a structured WHS risk management framework.
  • AS/NZS 4801 / ISO 45001 (OHS Management Systems): Principles for systematic occupational health and safety management applicable to scraper operations.
  • AS 4024 (Safety of Machinery – series): Guidance on guarding, controls and safety systems relevant to scraper design and modification.
  • AS 2359 (Powered Industrial Trucks – where applicable): Supporting reference for mobile plant operational safety and maintenance practices.
Standard Risk Assessment Features (Click to Expand)
  • Comprehensive hazard identification for all activities
  • Risk rating matrix with likelihood and consequence analysis
  • Existing control measures evaluation
  • Residual risk assessment after controls
  • Hierarchy of controls recommendations
  • Action priority rankings
  • Review and monitoring requirements
  • Consultation and communication records
  • Legal compliance references
  • Sign-off and approval sections

$79.5

Safe Work Australia Aligned