C2aEthics in Engineering Practice(12s).pdf

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1. History of Codes of Ethics
1803 First code of professional ethics
(medical ethics)
(Thomas Percival)
1852 ASCE (Civil Engineering)
1880 ASME (Mechanical Engineering)
1884 AIEE (Electrical Engineering)
All these Professional Engineering Societies had CODES OF ETHICS.
Ethics in Engineering Practice

2. Ethics in Engineering Practice
Code of Professional Ethics: American Society of Civil Engineers
Fundamental Principles
Engineers uphold and advance the integrity, honor and dignity
of the engineering profession by:
Using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of human
welfare and the environment;
Being honest and impartial and serving with fidelity the public,
their employers and clients;
Striving to increase the competence and prestige of the
engineering profession; and
Supporting the professional and technical societies of their
disciplines.

3. Fundamental Canons
Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of
the public and shall strive to comply with the principles of
sustainable development in the performance of their professional
duties.
Engineers shall perform services only in areas of their
competence.
Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and
truthful manner.
Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or
client as faithful agents or trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of
interest.
Ethics in Engineering Practice
Code of Professional Ethics: American Society of Civil Engineers

4. •> Continued
Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the
merit of their services and shall not compete unfairly with
others.
Engineers shall act in such a manner as to uphold and
enhance the honor, integrity, and dignity of the engineering
profession and shall act with zero-tolerance for bribery,
fraud, and corruption.
Engineers shall continue their professional development
throughout their careers, and shall provide opportunities for
the professional development of those engineers under their
supervision.
Ethics in Engineering Practice
Code of Professional Ethics: American Society of Civil Engineers

5. IEEE Code of Ethics
We, the members of the IEEE, in recognition of the importance of our technologies
in affecting the quality of life throughout the world, and in accepting a personal
obligation to our profession, its members and the communities we serve, do
hereby commit ourselves to the highest ethical and professional conduct and
agree:
1.to accept responsibility in making engineering decisions consistent with the safety, health
and welfare of the public, and to disclose promptly factors that might endanger the public or
the environment;
2.to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest whenever possible, and to disclose them to
affected parties when they do exist;
3.to be honest and realistic in stating claims or estimates based on available data;
4.to reject bribery in all its forms;
5.to improve the understanding of technology, its appropriate application, and potential
consequences;
6.to maintain and improve our technical competence and to undertake technological tasks for
others only if qualified by training or experience, or after full disclosure of pertinent
limitations;
7.to seek, accept, and offer honest criticism of technical work, to acknowledge and correct
errors, and to credit properly the contributions of others;
8.to treat fairly all persons regardless of such factors as race, religion, gender, disability, age, or
national origin;
9.to avoid injuring others, their property, reputation, or employment by false or malicious
action;
10.to assist colleagues and co-workers in their professional development and to support them in
following this code of ethics.
Ethics in Engineering Practice

6. Preamble
Engineering is an important and learned profession. As members of
this profession, engineers are expected to exhibit the highest
standards of honesty and integrity. Engineering has a direct and vital
impact on the quality of life for all people. Accordingly, the services
provided by engineers require honesty, impartiality, fairness, and
equity, and must be dedicated to the protection of the public health,
safety, and welfare. Engineers must perform under a standard of
professional behavior that requires adherence to the highest principles
of ethical conduct.
NSPE Code of Ethics

8. BEM Professional Code of Conduct

9. CASE STUDIES
Ethics in Engineering Practice

10. CASE 1
The client plans a project and hires Engineer A to furnish
complete engineering services for the project. Because of the
potentially dangerous nature of implementing the design during
the construction phase, Engineer A recommends to the client
that a full-time, on-site project representative be hired for the
project. After reviewing the completed project plans and costs,
the client indicates to Engineer A that the project would be too
costly if such a representative were hired. Engineer A proceeds
with his work on the project.

Ethics in Engineering Practice
Question:
Was it ethical for Engineer A to proceed with his
work on the project knowing that the client would
not agree to hire a full-time project representative?

11. Code of Ethics:
“Engineers shall at all times recognize that their
primary obligation is to protect the safety, health,
property, and welfare of the public. If their
professional judgment is overruled under
circumstances where the safety, health, property, or
welfare of the public are endangered, they shall notify
their employer or client and such other authority as
may be appropriate."
"Engineers shall advise their clients or employers
when they believe a project will not be successful."
CASE 1
Ethics in Engineering Practice

12. Engineer B submitted a proposal to a county council following
an interview concerning a project. The proposal included
technical information and data that the council requested as a
basis for the selection. Smith, a staff member of the council,
made Engineer B's proposal available to Engineer A. Engineer
A used Engineer B's proposal without Engineer B's consent in
developing another proposal, which was subsequently
submitted to the council. The extent to which Engineer A used
Engineer B's information and data is in dispute between the
parties.

CASE 2
Ethics in Engineering Practice
Question:
•Was it unethical for Engineer A to use Engineer B's proposal
without Engineer B's consent in order for Engineer A to develop
a proposal which Engineer A subsequently submitted to the
council?

13. Code of ethics:
"Engineers shall not compete unfairly with other engineers
by attempting to obtain employment or advancement or
professional engagements by taking advantage of a
salaried position, by criticizing other engineers, or by other
improper or questionable methods."
"Engineers shall give credit for engineering work to those
to whom credit is due, and will recognize the proprietary
interests of others."
"Engineers shall, whenever possible, name the person or
persons who may be individually responsible for designs,
inventions, writings, or other accomplishments."

CASE 2
Ethics in Engineering Practice