MEEP ST in HIRAC: Strengthening Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Control
- FILSA Safety Advocates
- Aug 10
- 4 min read
MEEP ST is a comprehensive and structured safety framework designed to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement effective controls across multiple industries and work environments. It evolved from the widely recognized MEEP and MEEPS models in the safety industry, and has been further enhanced to address today’s complex challenges.
Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Control (HIRAC) is one of the most important processes in any safety management system. It ensures that hazards are recognized, risks are evaluated, and proper control measures are applied before work begins. However, in many workplaces, HIRAC tends to be done as a compliance requirement rather than as a proactive, dynamic tool for safety.
This is where the MEEP-ST Framework comes in.
What is MEEP-ST in HIRAC?
MEEP-ST stands for Materials, Environment, Equipment, People, System, and Technology. It evolved from the widely recognized MEEP and MEEPS concepts in the safety industry, now enhanced with Technology as a vital sixth pillar.
By integrating MEEP-ST into HIRAC, we provide a structured lens for hazard identification making sure every possible angle is considered before work starts. This leads to a more accurate risk assessment and stronger, more effective controls.
A Real-World Scenario: The Scaffolding Incident That Didn’t Happen
During a pre-job HIRAC session for a high-rise building project, a scaffolding team was preparing to start work on the 10th floor. The initial risk assessment only listed “fall from height” and “slip/trip hazards.”
Applying MEEP-ST uncovered critical hazards that were initially missed:
Materials: Damaged scaffold planks that could snap under load.
Environment: Strong afternoon winds increasing instability risk.
Equipment: Worn-out harness lanyards with frayed stitching.
People: One worker had no formal scaffolding training.
System: No rescue plan in case of fall arrest.
Technology: No use of wind-speed monitoring device to trigger work stoppage.
Result: The team postponed the work, replaced defective planks and PPE, conducted refresher training, prepared a rescue plan, and used a wind-speed meter. The hazard was eliminated before anyone was exposed.
How MEEP-ST Enhances Each Step of HIRAC
1. Hazard Identification
MEEP-ST ensures hazards are identified from six critical perspectives, leaving no blind spots. Example: Confined Space Entry in a Water Tank Cleaning Operation
Materials: Residual chemical sludge inside the tank could release toxic fumes.
Environment: Poor ventilation and high humidity inside the tank.
Equipment: Faulty gas detectors with low battery levels or not calibrated.
People: One worker lacks confined space entry certification.
System: No standby rescue team assigned or no PTW system
Technology: No real-time gas monitoring system installed.
By systematically looking at each pillar, the safety team identified hazards that would have been overlooked if they only focused on the “obvious” risks. This comprehensive view allowed them to add proper controls, ventilation fans, working gas detectors, certified personnel, a standby rescue plan, and continuous monitoring—before work began.
2. Risk Assessment
Each pillar helps evaluate the likelihood and severity of hazards more accurately.
Each MEEP-ST pillar helps evaluate the likelihood and severity of hazards more accurately, providing a more realistic picture of the actual risk.
Example – Confined Space Entry in a Water Tank Cleaning Operation (continuation from Hazard Identification)
Materials: Residual chemical sludge could release toxic fumes, increasing severity if inhaled.
Environment: High humidity and poor ventilation amplify the effects of toxic gases.
Equipment: Faulty gas detectors reduce the likelihood of early hazard detection.
People: Uncertified worker increases the probability of unsafe actions.
System: No standby rescue team increases severity in case of incident.
Technology: Lack of real-time gas monitoring increases the probability of late response.
Explanation:
Initially, the task might have been rated as medium risk if assessed only on obvious hazards. However, MEEP-ST’s six-pillar evaluation revealed multiple compounding factors, upgrading the rating to high risk. This justified stricter controls—fully functional gas detectors, certified personnel, a dedicated rescue team, and continuous monitoring—before work commenced.
3. Control Implementation
MEEP-ST points to targeted controls from engineering measures to technology-enabled monitoring instead of generic checklists.
Control Implementation
MEEP-ST points to targeted controls—from engineering measures to technology-enabled monitoring—rather than relying on generic checklists.
Example – Confined Space Entry (Water Tank Cleaning)
After hazard identification and risk assessment revealed high risks due to toxic gases, poor ventilation, and limited rescue access, MEEP-ST guided precise controls:
Materials: Remove residual sludge before entry to eliminate toxic fume sources.
Environment: Install forced-air ventilation to maintain safe oxygen levels.
Equipment: Use calibrated multi-gas detectors with alarms.
People: Assign only certified confined space workers and standby rescue teams.
System: Implement a strict permit-to-work system for all entries.
Technology: Set up real-time gas monitoring with alerts to supervisors.
Outcome: Risks were reduced from high to low, ensuring worker safety and regulatory compliance.
Call to Action: Make MEEP-ST Part of Every HIRAC
Every risk assessment is only as good as the hazards it considers. By integrating MEEP-ST into your HIRAC, you make hazard identification deeper, risk assessment more accurate, and controls more effective.
Let’s make it our daily habit:
✅ Think MEEP-ST.
✅ Apply MEEP-ST in HIRAC.
✅ Keep workers safe and businesses protected.
About the Author
Albino “Mr. Safety Advocate” Allado is an HSE professional with more than 20 years of experience in the field of Quality, Health, Safety, and Environment (QHSE), incorporating principles of good governance into safety management systems. He is the proponent of the MEEP-ST Framework — an enhanced adaptation of the recognized MEEP and MEEPS concepts — integrating Technology to address today’s complex safety challenges across all industries.
Through his work with the Filipino International League of Safety Advocates (FILSA) and his published articles, Albino continues to champion safety as a shared responsibility, guiding industries and communities on the right path to save lives, protect workers, and build safer systems.
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