CE 14 Civil Engineering Laws, Ethics and Contracts

Civil Engineering Laws, Ethics and Contracts

Name of Student: QUIETA, PRESCILA A. Course: BSCE-4B

Assignment for: CE 14 Semester: First Semester -A.Y. 2021-2022

Activity No. 1 Instructor: ENGR. NENITA M. ABARADO

Q1. How does ethics affect my personal life in addition to my professional life?

A1. As a future civil engineer, I shall need to be equip to develop and supervise the
construction of a variety of enhancements to enhance civilization, growth, and society
overall. I will encounter numerous ethical and moral difficulties as I make decisions
that will be required of me to plot, develop, and oversee creation. With regard to
safety, public interest, and consumer interest, a variety of decisions could be made.
Having an ethical code will assist me in making those decisions. As a professional, my
work is restricted by society, allowing only those with the necessary training and
credentials to perform it, thereby limiting competition to only those who are qualified. In
return, experts are expected to perform work with high moral standards and to the
benefit of the public at all times. Professionals are held to a higher standard than the
general public, and the Code of Ethics outlines the guidelines and standards that the
professional engineer must follow in order to achieve that commitment. When I
examine an issue, reason a conclusion, and take action, my code of ethics will give
general guidelines. Like for example, managing the dangers of structural breakdown.
In a 50-year wind, a tall building constructed by my company would be at severe risk
of collapsing due to a mistake in the calculations. The structure is finished and
occupied. The building could be strengthened, but it would come at a substantial
expense to my company. I solely accountable for the decisions I make and the actions
I take, regardless of the feedback I get from others. As a necessary consequence,
inform the client that the building and the surrounding area should be evacuated until
the building has been strengthened, and discuss the problem with the client and my
Insurance Cover Insurers, agreeing to proceed with the strengthening in the most
discrete manner possible, accepting the financial consequences

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Q2. Do all people have the same ethical concerns?
CE 14 Civil Engineering Laws, Ethics and Contracts

A2. This question has no answer. Many of today’s most serious ethical concerns are
complex. Despite the fact that ethics should be a primary concern for everyone,
especially professionals…but, most aren't concerned about ethics. Focusing on ethics
and applying ethical conduct to one's life will encourage personal growth for those
seeking personal challenge, dedication, and ego. There would be no need for laws if
everyone acted in an ethical manner all of the time. I'll encounter a lot of people in my
life and have to make decisions about who I want to be my companions, leaders, and
educators. Having leaders and educators who have a solid grasp of and demonstrate
ethical behavior will help me develop into a person of character who is worthy of
respect. Moreover, people differ from one another. Our genetics and development
differ, as do our environment and life experiences, as well as the history, language,
beliefs, and education. As a result, our personalities, views, and values differ, and
our ethics are shaped by all of these things. Personal life for example, someone who
lives in a dangerous neighborhood. May place a high priority on the safety of himself
and his family. As for me, the well-being of human beings is my greatest moral goal
(ethics), with the scope changed according to the number of human beings likely to be
impacted by my actions in any given situation—whether it's simply myself, my family,
friends, community, descendants, or the entire species. I feel obligated to consider
other species in some situations.

Q3. What makes ethics so important?

A3. Ethics is essential since it is the foundation of our beliefs structure. It determines
how we treat others, make decisions, and respond to various situations. Because of its
societal relevance, ethics is appreciated and held in high regard by others. A set of
guidelines that guide us in identifying what is right and wrong, as well as what is good
and evil. Ethics may influence our life in a true and practical way. Ethical principles
(such as honesty, trustworthiness, and responsibility) help us cope more effectively
with ethical dilemmas by recognizing and eliminating acts that do not fit with our sense
of right and wrong – our best rational interests – without harming others. It all simply
refers to the choices we make. We are continually faced with decisions that influence
the quality of our life. We recognize that the decisions we make affect both ourselves
and others. We recognize that we are responsible for our actions. Ethics matter
because they shape who we are as people and as a community. These are the
principles of behavior that everyone should follow. If we think that every one of us can
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choose what is right, our society may fall into chaos. Some people may lie; others may
not keep their commitments; and yet others may act carelessly. For me, ethics is a
CE 14 Civil Engineering Laws, Ethics and Contracts

lens through which I assess my activities in terms of rights and wrongs as a source of
satisfaction. It is what determines who I am and what I am perceived to be in the
perspective of others. As more than just a sense, ethics is one’s identity.

Q4. What impact does ethics have on leadership?

A4. Being ethical entails acting fairly, considering the welfare of others, and
considering the implications of one's actions. Even if a person is born with a strong
sense of right and wrong, the terrible behavior of others can destroy that feeling.
Ethical leaders consider the long-term implications, disadvantages, and benefits of
their decisions. They are willing to compete in a new market struggle in order to be
faithful to their own values and ideas, where the imperative is to do what is right.
Leaders function as role models for their followers, demonstrating the
organization's behavioral boundaries. The newcomers' culture and socialization
process helps them to develop appropriate and desired behavior. Following leaders in
action teaches employees about values. The higher the amount of trust and respect
that a leader develops from followers, the more he "walks his talk" by putting
internalized values into action. Employees are more willing to act in accordance with
their principles when their leaders are willing to make personal sacrifices for their
followers or the organization as a whole.
Trustworthiness, others' respect, and honesty are all qualities of an excellent
leader. One method to set up a foundation for constructing remarkable relationships
with human beings is to consist of ethical behaviors into his daily existence. The
fundamental ideas of ethics consist of accepting duty for his acts, appearing certainly,
treating others with respect, and doing the right aspect even when it is a tough choice.
If they are to be led by way of him, they must agree with in him, trust him, and consider
in what he stand for.

Q5. What should I do if I see someone behaving unethically?

A5. Numerous places compel professionals to document unethical conduct to the

national Licensing Board for inquiry, assessment, and, if necessary, disciplinary action.
ASCE demands to record any member who breaks the Code of Ethics.
I feel obligated to respond to unethical behavior. I should not be associated with or
involved in unethical behavior, at the very least. A more positive step would be to draw
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personal attention to the situation, point out that what is being done is unethical,
explain why it is unethical, and recommend that the activity be stopped. The next step
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is to notify the appropriate authorities about unethical behavior.

In reality, I am obligated to report unethical behavior to the appropriate authorities.
However, before I do anything, I want to make certain that I have all of the facts. I may
have doubts, but I can’t go around convicting someone to the things without evidence.
First and foremost, I should establish that the behavior I suspected is unethical. It
could be against regulatory requirements or policy issue. Furthermore, I need
confirmation that the person is acting in this manner. I should take pictures of the
behavior and try to witnesses. For I’ll have an evidence to present to the person or
authority to whom I want to report it. This is a decision that will have a significant
impact on me for a number of reasons. First and foremost, the allegations must be
accurate and truthful, because the defendant's life may be changed as a result of their
impact.
Moreover, rather than receiving acclaim, persons who bring unethical activity to the
notice of authorities may face sanctions. Then, I must make a decision that I can live
with and trust that I made the proper option.

Q6. Choose one of the codes of ethics and explain it with an example or scenario.

A6. ’Civil 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 duties.’
Scenario:
Engineer A is the director of a major city's construction department. Engineer A is
concerned that the city will not be able to supply a sufficient number of trained
employees to execute proper and timely building inspections as a result of a
succession of budget cuts and increasingly stringent code enforcement requirements.
Engineer A's code officials are frequently expected to perform up to 60 code
inspections every day. Engineer A feels that even the most conscientious code official
would be unable to complete 60 adequate, much alone thorough, inspections in a
single day, especially under the city's latest, more stringent code requirements. The
public's health and safety are considerably improved and protected by these new code
requirements. The code enforcement officers are torn between the need to be
thorough in their inspections and the city's goal to cut costs and generate cash from
inspection fees. All final inspection reports must have Engineer A's signature.
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Engineer A meets with the local municipal council's chairman to address his
concerns. The chairman expresses sympathy for Engineer A's worries and implies that
CE 14 Civil Engineering Laws, Ethics and Contracts

he would be inclined to issue an order allowing the building department to hire extra
code officials. Attempting to encourage more businesses to relocate to the city in order
to provide more jobs and a stronger tax base.
In this regard, the chairman wants Engineer A's approval of a municipal law that
would allow some selected buildings under construction to be "grandfathered" under
existing enforcement criteria rather than the newer, more stringent ones already in
place. Engineer A agrees to the chairman's suggestion, and the chairman signs an
order authorizing the hiring of extra building code officers, which Engineer A believes
the city sorely needs.

Explanation:
The responsibility to prioritize public health, safety, and welfare is one of the most
basic and essential responsibilities that an engineer must fulfill. While the commitment
is typically clear and evident, there may be an obligation on the engineer's side to
balance competing or concurrent tasks or responsibilities in order to preserve the
public's health and safety.
In several ways, the facts of the matter represent a common ethical problem that
many engineers encounter in their working lives. Engineers have a fundamental
responsibility to prioritize public safety, health, and welfare when performing their
professional obligations.

Date submitted/time:

Signature:
student