CHAPTER 3: ENGINEERING ETHICS

TOPIC TOPIC OUTCOME

1 Background of Engineering Ethics

Explain the code of ethics for engineers according to those defined by IEM.

2 Codes of Engineering Ethics Problems identification in engineering ethics and handling them systemically and professionally.

3 Professional Engineering Ethics

Solve the problems occurred in engineering in ethical senses, systemically and professionally.

Scope & OutlinesBackground of Engineering Ethics

Codes of Ethics

Issues in Ethical Problems

To think critically and independently about moral issues and to apply this moral thinking to situations

arise in the course of professional engineering practiceMORAL AUTONOMY

Professional Ethics

Whistle blowing

FORD PINTO vs. ETHIC

The Case: On August 10, 1978, a Ford Pinto was hit from behind on a highway in Indiana. The impact of the collision caused the Pinto's fuel tank to rupture and burst into flame, leading to the deaths of three teenage girl riding in the car. A case against Ford hinged on charges that it was known that the gas-tank design was flawed and was not in line with accepted engineering standard.The dilemma faced by the design engineers who worked on the Pinto was to balance the safety of the people against the need to produce Pinto at a

competitive price!

Background of Engineering Ethics

Why Study Engineering Ethics?o The Pinto case is just one example of ethical problems faced by

professional engineers.o The work of engineers can affect public health and safety and

also can influence business practices and even politics.o So, the goal of Eng Ethics is to sensitize you to important ethical

issues before you have to confront them. o Why should a future engineer bother studying ethics at all? The ethical problems encountered in engineering practice are

very complex and involve ethical problems. So, the goal is to train you to analyze complex problems and learn to resolve them in the most ethical manner.

Background of Engineering Ethics

Engineering is Managing The Unknown➢ Engineers often encounter situations in which they don't have all of the

information that is needed. ➢ By its nature, engineering design is about creating new devices and

products, whereby many questions need to be answered:

1. How well does it work?

2. How will it affect people?

3. What changes will this lead to in society?

4. Is it safe?

5. What are the effects of doing nothing?

COMPLEMENTARY FUNCTIONS OF IEM, BEM & ACEM CODE OF ETHICS

The three major Professional Engineering bodies to which engineers may be affiliated are:

1. The Board of Engineers (BEM), which is a statutory body governed by the Engineer’s Act 1967 and with which an Engineer must registered before he/she can be employed or practise as an Engineer.

2. The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM). which is a learned society registered under the Society’s Act. Membership is voluntary but the professional standards set by IEM for membership are accepted by BEM as qualifications for registration as a Professional Engineer (PE). Most PE are IEM members.

3. The Association of Consulting Engineers, Malaysia (ACEM), is a non-profit organisation comprising of Consulting Engineers. Its objective is to promote the interest of Consulting Engineering as a profession.

All the three bodies have their own Code of Ethics designed too suit their specific requirement according to the objectives of each body constituted.

CODE OF ETHICS

In today's specialised technologically based society there is a great dependence on the sound judgment and integrity of the professional engineer. The further development of civilisation, the conservation and management of natural resources, and the improvement of the standards of living of mankind are greatly affected by the work of the engineer. For that work to be fully effective it is necessary not only that engineers strive constantly to widen their knowledge and improve their skill but also that the community be willing to recognise the integrity and trust the judgment of members of the profession of engineering. For this to happen the profession must be recognised in the community for:

its skill in using technical expertise for the enhancement of human welfare;

its loyalty to the community, to employers and clients;

its honesty and impartiality in professional practice.

Because of the importance on these matters the Institution has a Code of Ethics. The preamble to the Code states:

... members are required to order their conduct in accordance with the principle that, in any conflict between a member's personal interest and fair and honest dealing with other members of the Community, his duty to the Community must prevail.

Codes of Engineering Ethics

Primarily, a code of ethics provides a framework for ethical judgement for a professional.

No code can be totally comprehensive and cover all possible ethical situations that a professional engineer is likely encounter.

Codes serve as a starting point for ethical decision making.

It is important to note that ethical codes do not establish new ethical principles.

A code also defines the roles and responsibilities of professionals.

Engineers shall hold paramount the health, safety and welfare of the public in the practice of their profession.

Engineers shall practice only in their areas of competence, in a careful and diligent manner and in conformance with standards, laws, codes, and rules and regulations applicable to engineering practice.

Engineers shall examine the societal and environmental impact of their actions and projects, including the wise use and conservation of resources and energy, in order to make informed recommendations and decisions.

Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner. If representing a particular interest, the engineer shall clearly identify that interest.

Engineering Ethics Principles

Engineers shall sign and take responsibility for all engineering work which they prepare or directly supervise.

Engineers shall act as faithful agents for their employers or clients and maintain confidentiality; they shall avoid conflicts of interest whenever possible, disclosing unavoidable conflicts.

Engineers shall ensure that a client is aware of the engineer's professional concerns regarding particular actions or projects, and of the consequences of engineering decisions or judgments that are overruled or disregarded. An employee engineer shall initially express those concerns to the employer.

Engineering Ethics Principles (cont.)

Engineers shall appropriately report any public works, engineering decisions, or practice that endanger the health, safety and welfare of the public. When, in an engineer's judgment, a significant risk to the public remains unresolved, that engineer may ethically make the concerns known publicly.

Engineers shall commit to life-long learning, strive to advance the body of engineering knowledge and should encourage other engineers to do likewise.

Engineers shall promote responsibility, commitment, and ethics both in the education and practice phases of engineering; they should enhance society's awareness of engineers' responsibilities to the public and encourage the communication of these principles of ethical conduct among engineers

Engineering Ethics Principles (cont.)

Issues in Engineering Ethical Problems

In general, there are theories that help us to frame our understanding of the problem, but there are no formulas and no easy 'plug-in' methods for reaching a solution.

Therefore, the first step in solving any ethical problem is to completely understand all of the issues involved.

Once these issues are determined, frequently a solution to the problem becomes apparent.

The issues can be divided into three categories: factual, conceptual and moral.

Issues in Engineering Ethical Problems (cont.)

How can these controversies be resolved? Factual issues can often be resolved through

research to establish the truth. Conceptual issues are resolved by agreeing on the

meaning of terms and concepts. Moral issues are resolved by agreement as to

which moral principles pertinent and how they should be applied.

Professional Engineering Ethics

Confidentiality and Proprietary Information Confidentiality is mentioned in most engineering

codes of ethics. Why must some engineering information be kept

confidential? Most information about how a business is run, its products and

its suppliers, directly affects the company's ability to compete in the marketplace.

Such information can be used by a competitor to gain advantage or to catch up.

Types of information should be kept confidential: test results data; upcoming products; and designs or formulas of products.

Professional Engineering Ethics

(cont.) Social-Contract Model Engineering is service-oriented profession => to

further the public good (as described in the definition of profession previously).

Professional Societies As A Protector Professional societies may use codes as a protector

rights of employees who are being pressured by their employer to do something unethical or who are accusing their employers of the government of unethical conduct.

Whistle blowing

Whistle blowing is the act by an employee of informing the public of higher management of unethical or illegal behaviour by an employer or supervisor.

Types of whistle blowing: Internal => when an employee goes over the head of an

immediate supervisor to report a problem to a higher level of management.

External => when an employee goes outside the company and reports wrong-doing to newspapers or law-enforcement authorities.

Anonymous => when the employee who is blowing the whistle refuses to divulge his name when making accusations.

Acknowledge => when the employee puts his name behind the accusations and is willing to withstand the scrutiny brought on by his accusations.

Whistle blowing

When should whistle blowing be attempted? Need: There must be a clear and important harm that

can be avoided by blowing the whistle. Proximity: The whistleblower must be in a very clear

position to report on the problem. Capability: The whistleblower must have a reasonable

chance of success in stopping the harmful activity. Last resort: Whistle blowing should be attempted

only if there is no one else more capable or more proximate to blow the whistle and if you feel that all other lines of action within the context of the organization have been explored and shut off.

It is important for the whistleblower to understand his motives before undertaking this step.

CONCLUSION

Engineering Ethics is the study of moral decisions that must be made by engineers

in the course of engineering practise.

It is important for engineering students to study ethics so that they will be prepared to respond appropriately

to ethical challenges during their careers.

THANK YOU!!!