“P” Wastes
Commercial chemical products considered acutely hazardous wastes if discarded, off-specification or spilled.
Particulate Matter (PM)
A suspension of fine solid or liquid particles in air, such as dust, fog, fume, mist, smoke, or sprays. Particulate matter in air is commonly known as an aerosol.
Passenger vessel
On an international voyage, a vessel carrying more than 12 passengers including at least one passenger-for-hire; and, on other than an international voyage, a vessel of at least 100 gross register tons carrying more than 12 passengers, including at least one passengers-for-hire; a vessel of less than 100 gross tons carrying more than 6 passengers, including at least one passenger-for-hire; a vessel that is chartered and carrying more than 12 passengers; a submersible vessel that is carrying at least one passenger-for-hire; or a wing-in-ground craft, regardless of tonnage, that is carrying at least one passenger-for-hire.
Passenger for Hire
A passenger for whom consideration is contributed as a condition of carriage on the vessel, whether directly or indirectly flowing to the owner, charterer, operator, agent or any other person having an interest in the vessel.
PCB
Polychlorinated Biphenyl (generally associated with electrical transformer oils)
PEL
Permissible Exposure Limit – a concentration, usually over a specific period of time, below which OSHA has determined that workers will suffer no adverse health impacts from exposure to a regulated substance.
pH
The measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a material, either liquid or solid
PHA
Process Hazards Analysis – the identification and quantification of hazards that might be associated with performing a particular industrial process or procedure.
PM
Particulate Matter
PM 2.5
Particulate Matter less than 2.5 microns in size
PM-10
Particulate Matter less than 10 microns in size
POM
Polycyclic Organic Matter
PONC
Price of non-compliance (term from QES, the cost of not doing things right the first time)
Protocols
Guidance documents used to provide a systematic and uniform method for conducting audits. These documents are typically separated by topic (i.e., emergency planning, water quality, personnel safety, etc.). They have been developed from the requirements of regulations, company standards, recognized codes, etc. and contain statements for the auditors to verify.
POTW
Publicly Owned Treatment Works
ppb
Parts per Billion (indicator of concentration)
PPE
Personal Protective Equipment (safety gear)
ppm
Parts per Million (indicator of concentration)
ppq
Parts per Quadrillion (indicator of concentration)
ppt
Parts per Trillion (indication of concentration)
Product Stewardship
The proper management of products during their whole life cycle: from their discovery, to their use and their ultimate withdrawal.
PSD
Prevention of Significant Deterioration
PSI
Pounds per Square Inch (measure of pressure)
PSIA
Pounds per Square Inch, absolute (measurement of pressure from total vacuum, atmospheric pressure = 14.7 psia)
PSIG
Pounds per Square Inch, gauge (measurement of pressure from atmospheric pressure, atmospheric pressure = 0.0 psig)
PSM
Process Safety Management – application of management controls to prevent or minimize the consequences of catastrophic releases of toxic, reactive, flammable, or explosive chemicals. OSHA’s PSM standard emphasizes the application of management controls, rather than specific engineering guidelines, when addressing the risks associated with handling or working near hazardous chemicals.