Introduction

According to ENGINEERING COUNCIL UK, it stated that today’s engineers

demonstrate a personal and professional commitment to society, to their profession, and
to the environment. However, there is an issue of ethics in the context of global interests,
interests of the industry, interests of the profession which is the morality. Morality is
whole of decisions, opinions and actions with which people express what is right or
wrong. It helps engineers to think morally and independently about the moral issue, to the
situation which might arise at work. Ethical problems in engineering are often complex
and involve conflicting ethical principles. Therefore, Engineers must be able to solve
these conflicts and make a defensible decision.

Problem statement
 The engineer does not understand the BEM Code of Professional Conduct
thoroughly.
 The engineer does not want to waste the usefulness of the information which is
not interested by his/her company.
 The relationship between employer and the engineer is not strong, thus the loyalty
towards the employer is challenged.
Objective
 To pin-point the root causes of the engineer revealing the information without the
knowing of his employer.
 To understand the effects faced by the engineer when breaking the BEM Code of
Professional Conduct.
 To determine the solutions so that the issue faced by the engineer can be
overcome and the trust between employer and employee can be maintained.

Discussion
1.3 A Registered Engineer shall not reveal facts, data or information without the prior
consent of the client or employer except as authorized or required by law or when
withholding of such information is contrary to the safety of the public.

4.0 A Registered Engineer shall act for each employer or clients as faithful agent or
trustee.

4.1 A Registered Engineer shall disclose all known or potential conflicts of interest
that could influence or appear to influence his judgement or the quality of his
services.

5.0 A Registered Engineer shall conduct himself honourably, responsibly, ethically

and lawfully so as to enhance the honour, reputation and usefulness of the
profession.

 If facts, data or information is released without the knowing of the employer or

client, it can be considered as a crime whereby the competitor will have business
or technological edge over the company engineer is working for. It revealed if
required by law or if withholding the information isn’t in safety, health and
welfare of the public.
 Engineers shall not knowingly act in a manner which will be derogatory to the
honor, integrity, or dignity of the engineering profession or knowingly engage in
business or professional practices of a fraudulent, dishonest, or unethical nature
by revealing data without the discussion with the superior. Furthermore, a
registered engineer is an asset of the company, thus one must be responsible for
every action made and refer to the superior.
 This code prevents engineer to take some unethical decision or action because
of potential conflicts of interest, which means some self-vested interest personally
 or at corporate level, for one’s own gain. Instead, information about the business
of their employer or any past employer must be properly disclosed.
 Engineers must perform under a standard of professional behavior that requires
adherence to the highest principles of ethical conduct to elevates the respect and
trust of the profession in society by exhibit the highest standards of honesty and
integrity towards every decision made.

We as an engineer should apply professional conducts when we encounter the issues and
conflict of interests.

Duty to employer

This professional conduct is important to protect the benefit of company. We should also
contribute to industry and community instead of our duty and responsibility in the
company and to our employer. If in the course of my works, some other valuable
materials were discovered, the information shall also be properly recorded and reported
first to my employer even it is not interested by my employer. If the engineer feels it is
for benefit of the people and hope the mineral could be extracted, he could propose to his
employer. With permission by employer and disclosure of information in an appropriate
way will not endanger benefits of the company.

Duty to Community and Industry

It is important to protect the benefits of employer and to contribute to advancement of the

industry at the same time. As an engineer, we shall report the findings to employer and
submit a proposal to employer for possible in sharing or selling to another party which
they make use of the valuable materials. We can also propose disclosure of information
to employer and let them to make decision for better advancement of the industry and
society at large. By doing so, we could fulfill our duty to employer and contribute to
advancement of the industry in morale way.

No wastage of resource

It is important that we can avoid waste of efforts and resource put in. If employer agrees
to disclose the information, it may be a great interest to another party. The useful material
could also be extracted for benefit of community.
Effects:
1.3/4.1:

The employer will be facing problems such as property losses and will be having a time
dealing with the competitors.

4.0:

If we fail to comply (BEM5.0), the bond between the employer and the engineer will be
fragile and if the situation persists, the engineer will be fired due to disloyal to the
company.

5.0:

The engineer will be neglected by the employer due to irresponsible action and
unrationed thinking. And whenever the engineer is, every company will get rid of the
engineer as soon as possible to eliminate trouble-maker.

Solutions:
 As an engineer, one must act professional by understanding the BEM Code of
Professional Conduct thoroughly and obey it.
 The engineer must be responsible by informing or discuss with the superior or
employer whether the information should be concealed or can be disclosed to
third party.
 The engineer must be loyal to the employer and company to enhance the honor,
reputation and usefulness of the profession.

Case Study:

Violation of code 5.0:

Incident:

The collapse of building Hotel New World incident happened on 15th March 1986,
situated at the junction of Serangoon Road and Owen Road, Singapore.

Causes:

Engineers responsible for the structural integrity of the building as they overlooked the
importance of dead load in the construction stage which caused the under-designed
columns and foundation of the building’s supporting elements to crack easily during the
addition of the huge live loads.
Effects:

The engineers did not check the final design of the plan, calculation and other details
thoroughly before approving the plan to prevent any unwanted tragedy. Thus causing 50
people were trapped beneath the rubble. Seventeen people were rescued, whereas 33
people were killed.

Violation of code 4.0:

https://cen.acs.org/articles/89/i41/Scientists-Betray-Employers.html

Conclusion

In the course of our works, we as a professional engineer should always report our
findings to employer. In the same time, we make our works benefiting to the society.
Disclosure of information shall be done in an ethical manner with good reasons. The
interest of our employer shall be safeguarded. For this case, we shall gain permission
from employer or propose to employer our ideas.

References:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267512121_A_CASE_STUDY_OF_ENGINEE
RING_ETHICS_LESSON_LEARNED_FROM_BUILDING_COLLAPSE_DISASTER_
TOWARD_MALAYSIAN_ENGINEERS