Around the world, process safety management (PSM) is becoming central to worker safety and managing risk. PSM implementation protects personnel, equipment, and production uptime, and is associated with lower maintenance cost, insurance and capital.
The industry is currently implement PSM through a strategic long-term plan, using the CSA Z767 Process Safety Management standard as the framework. It is anticipated the initiative will be a core focus of the WPAC Safety Committee Workplan until 2028-2030. Return to this page often for updated information.
Read the April 2026 status update on the initiative: Continuing Progress: WPAC Safety Committee Process Safety Implementation (PSM)
Read report: Integrating Process Safety Management into Canadian Wood Pellet Facilities that Generate Combustible Wood Dust
View presentation: PSM Implementation: Research Outcomes and Next Steps
This report was developed in collaboration with Dalhousie University, the Wood Pellet Association of Canada, BC Forest Safety Council, DustEx Research Ltd., and Obex Risk Ltd.
Process Safety Elements
PSM Implementation
Over the next 5-7 years, WPAC aims to develop resources and provide guidance to help WPAC members integrate PSM (based on the CSA Z767 process safety management standard) into their organizations.
PSM Steering Committee
WPAC has a PSM Steering Committee that provides input on project deliverables, resources and insights to help with decision-making.
If you would like to join, please contact Fahimeh Yazdan Panah at fahimeh@pellet.org.
Self-Assessments and Action Plans
Self-Assessments and Action Plans have been developed for the 16 elements of PSM.
One of the initial steps in process safety management (PSM) implementation is to complete a qualitative gap analysis against the PSM standard (in this case, the CSA Z767 standard). To perform this gap analysis, PSM self-assessment and action plan worksheets are being developed for the 16 elements of PSM.
Visit the individual PSM Element pages below to utilize the Self-Assessments and Action Plans as well as resources and best practices related to each element.
Read: How to Use PSM Self-Assessment & Action Plans
Process safety leadership
Understanding hazards and risks
Risk management
Review and improvement
Disclaimer: A portion of these resources was developed through a project funded by WorkSafeBC under an Innovation at Work grant. The views, findings, opinions, and conclusions expressed herein do not represent the views of WorkSafeBC.
How the PSM Initiative Started
In November 2018, an Incident Investigation Workshop and Introduction to Process Hazard Analysis Workshop were held as part of the collaboration between WPAC and WorkSafeBC on implementing PSM in the wood pellet industry.
During the Incident Investigation Workshop, participants learned by preparing mock incident investigation reports for several real-life incidents. This enabled participants to analyze and discuss the root causes of these incidents and to recommend corrective actions to prevent their reoccurrence.