ENSC

 406  –  Spring  2013  

Midterm  2  
March  25,  2013  
 
 
Name  (print):  _____________________________________________________________________________________  
 
 
Student  #:  _________________________________________________________________________________________  
 
 
TA:  _______________________________________Tutorial    (day  &  time):  ______________________________  
 
 
Signature:  _________________________________________________________________________________________  
 
 
THIS  IS  A  CLOSED  BOOK  EXAM  (100  Minutes)  
APEGBC  code  of  ethics  provided  on  last  page  
 
Instructions   Grading  Scheme  
  Question   Points   Score  
1. Fill  in  all  the  information  required  in  the  above  box.      
MC   40    
2. Do  not  open  the  exam  until  you  are  instructed  to  do  so.  
Case  Study      
3. If  you  need  to  use  the  washroom,  ask  the  instructor  or  TA.  
Legal   10    
4. This  is  a  closed  book  exam.      
COI   10    
• You  are  only  permitted  to  have  writing  instruments  at  your  desk.      
Code   10    
• All  bags,  coats,  jackets,  hats,  books,  binders,  papers,  pencil  cases,  
etc.  must  be  placed  at  the  front  of  the  lecture  hall  or  under  your  
Virtues   10    
seat.  Cell/mobile  phones  are  not  allowed  on  your  desk.   W.B.   10    
5. In  accordance  with  the  Academic  Honesty  Policy  (T10.02),  academic   Action   10    
dishonesty  in  any  form  will  not  be  tolerated.    Prohibited  acts  include  but        
are  not  limited  to  the  following:   TOTAL   100    
 

• making  use  of  any  books,  papers,  electronic  devices  or  

memoranda,  other  than  those  authorized  by  the  examiners.  
• speaking  or  communicating  with  other  students  who  are  writing  
examinations.  
• copying  from  the  work  of  other  candidates  or  purposely  
exposing  written  papers  to  the  view  of  other  candidates.  
Please  keep  in  mind  that  academic  honesty  requires  not  only  that  you  
avoid  looking  at  anyone  else’s  work  but  that  you  protect  your  work  from  
the  eyes  of  others.  
6. You  will  be  penalized  for  failing  to  follow  the  instructions.  
7. You  have  90  minutes  to  complete  the  exam.    
You  can  write  in  point  form.    You  are  not  graded  on  grammar.    Write  legibly.  
 
 
 
VERSION  1  –  Special  Code  1111  
 
  1  
Multiple  Choice  (40  marks)  
 
Choose  one  correct  answer  for  each  multiple  choice-­‐question.  Each  question  is  worth  1  mark.  Place  your  answer  on  the  
SCANTRON  SHEET;  answers  circled  in  this  handout  will  not  be  marked.  Fill  out  your  name  (Last  then  first).  The  identification  
number  is  your  student  number.  Leave  the  section  code  blank.  The  special  code  is  1111  or  2222  (see  front  of  the  exam)  
 
Choose  one  correct  answer  for  each  multiple  choice-­‐question.  Each  question  is  worth  1  mark.  Place  your  answer  on  the  
SCANTRON  SHEET;  answers  circled  in  this  handout  will  not  be  marked.  Fill  out  your  name  (Last  then  first).  The  identification  
number  is  your  student  number.  Leave  the  section  code  blank.  The  special  code  is  1111  or  2222  (see  front  of  the  exam)  
 
1)  The  acronym  APEGBC  stands  for  
a) Association  of  Practicing  Engineers  and  Geophysicists  of  British  Columbia.  
b) Association  of  Professional  Engineers  and  Geophysicists  of  British  Columbia.    
c) Association  of  Professional  Engineers  and  Geoscientists  of  British  Columbia.    
d) Association  of  Practicing  Engineers  and  Geoscientists  of  British  Columbia.  
e) Association  of  Primate  Entities  Gathering  Berries  and  Cucumbers.  
 
2)  To  satisfy  APEGBC’s  criteria  for  registration  as  a  P.Eng.,  how  many  years  must  be  in  a  Canadian  environment?  
a) One  year.  
b) Two  years.  
c) Three  years.  
d) Four  years.  
e) One-­‐third  of  your  work  experience.  
 
3)  When  applying  to  APEGBC  to  become  a  P.Eng.,  what    is  the  maximum  number  of  months  of  Co-­‐op  experience  that  can  be  
claimed?    
a) Four  months.  
b) Six  months.  
c) Eight  months.  
d) Twelve  months.  
e) Twenty-­‐four  months.  
 
4)  What  form(s)  of  discipline  has  APEGBC  imposed  in  the  past?    
a) Revoking  registration  [license]    
b) Rewriting  of  the  Professional  Practice  Exam  (PPE)    
c) Suspension    
d) All  of  the  above    
e) Both  a.  and  c.    
 
5)  In  Canada,  Professional  organizations  are  regulated  by  
a) Municipal  government.  
b) Provincial  government.  
c) Federal  government.  
d) Workplace  Compensation  Board  (WCB).  
e) Tribunal  for  Workplace  Safety  and  Human  Rights.  
 
6)  Statutes  cannot  modify  common  law.  
a) True  
b) False  
 
7)  Which  option  best  describes  a  Tort?    
a) Crime  committed  by  one  person  against  another,  cannot  be  redressed  through  damages.    
b) Crime  committed  by  one  person  against  another,  is  breach  of  contract,  can  be  redressed  through  damages.  
c) Wrong  committed  by  one  person  against  another,  not  a  crime,  not  a  breach  of  contract.    
d) Wrong  committed  by  one  person  against  another,  is  a  crime,  and  can  be  redressed  through  damages.  
e) Wrong  committed  by  one  person  against  another,  not  a  crime,  and  cannot  be  redressed  through  damages.  
 
8)  Which  of  the  following  choices  is  not  one  of  essential  elements  of  negligence?  
a) Defendant  owed  plaintiff  a  duty  of  care.  

  2  
 b) Defendant  breached  duty  through  action  of  inaction  below  standard  of  care.  
c) Defendant’s  breach  caused  injury  to  plaintiff.  
d) Defendant’s  breach  of  the  standard  of  care  was  an  intentional  act  as  defined  under  common  law.  
e) Options  a,  b,  c,  and  d  are  all  essential  elements  of  negligence.    
 
9)  A  contract  must  be  signed  in  order  to  be  binding.  
a) True  
b) False  
 
10)  You  offer  to  paint  your  neighbour’s  house  for  free  and  send  an  email  stating  so  via  email.  Four  weeks  pass  and  you  change  
your  mind.  Your  neighbour  then  sues  you.  A  judge  will  not  enforce  the  contract  because  
a) you  are  not  a  registered  business.  
b) you  did  not  sign  a  contract.  
c) four  weeks  exceeds  the  maximum  idle-­‐time  associated  with  a  contract.  
d) there  was  no  mutual  consideration.  
e) labour  issues  must  be  settled  via  the  Workers  Compensation  Board.  
 
11)  Legally  speaking,  persons  are  
a) humans.  
b) corporations.  
c) banks.  
d) All  of  the  above  
e) None  of  the  above  
 
12)  With  regard  to  business  structures,  
a) a  corporations  provides  limited  liability.    
b) a  corporation  provides  unlimited  liability.  
c) a  sole  proprietorship  provides  limited  liability.  
d) a  partnership  provides  limited  liability.  
e) both  a  sole  proprietorship  and  a  corporation  provide  limited  liability.  
 
13)  In  a  partnership,  all  profits  and  losses  must  be  shared  equally.  
a) True  
b) False  
 
14)  Generally  speaking,  the  type  of  business  structure  that  has  the  easiest  time  raising  capital  is  
a) a  sole  proprietorship.  
b) a  partnership.  
c) a  corporation.  
d) all  of  the  above  are  just  as  effective.  
15)  Which  of  the  following  oversee  the  day-­‐to-­‐day  management  of  a  corporation?  
a) The  shareholders  
b) The  directors  
c) The  officers  
d) The  board  of  governors  
e) APEGBC  
 
16)  The  disadvantage(s)  of  an  asset  deal  is/are  
a) Limits  assumed  liabilities.  
b) Results  in  higher  accounting  costs.  
c) May  exclude  assets  difficult  to  define.  
d) Both  a  and  b.  
e) Both  b  and  c.  
 
17)  Constructive  dismissal  is  
a) a  change  in  a  fundamental  term  of  employment.  
b) providing  adequate  notice  when  terminating  an  employee.  
c) a  provision  under  the  Human  Rights  Tribunal  concerning  discrimination.  
d) the  process  of  providing  feedback  to  an  employee  who  you  want  to  fire.  
e) a  term  in  a  collective  agreement  primarily,  but  not  always,  associated  with  a  unionized  workplace.  
  3  
  
18)  One  act  of  incompetence  is  enough  to  be  used  as  just  cause  for  termination.  
a) True  
b) False  
19)  Which  of  the  below  is  NOT  one  of  the  four  main  Employment  Statues?    
a) Labour  Relations  Code    
b) Ethnic  Diversity  Code    
c) Human  Rights  Code    
d) Employment  Standards  Act    
e) Workers  Compensation  Act    
 
20)  Under  the  Common  Law,  reasonable  notice  is  defined  
a) as  1  month  per  year  of  service.  
b) as  2  weeks  per  year  of  service.  
c) as  a  minimum  of  1  month.  
d) individually  for  each  employee.  
e) as  twice  the  employees  vacation  time.  
 
21)  The  upper  limit  for  reasonable  notice  of  termination  is  
a) 6  months.  
b) 9  months.  
c) 12  months.  
d) 19  months.  
e) 24  months.  
 
22)  Which  form(s)  of  intellectual  property  grants  a  monopoly?  
a) patents.  
b) patents  and  copyrights.  
c) Patents  and  trade-­‐secrets.  
d) Copyrights  and  trade-­‐secrets.  
e) Patents,  copyrights,  and  trade-­‐secrets.  
 
23)  Under  copyright  law,  Computer  Aided  Design  (CAD)  files  are  considered  
a) literary  works.  
b) dramatic  works.  
c) musical  works.  
d) artistic  works.  
e) scientific  works.  
 
24)  Ideally,  a  trademark  should  be  
a) a  noun.  
b) a  verb.  
c) an  adjective.  
d) an  adverb.  
e) a  preposition.  
 
25)  Canadian  copyright  law  protects  a  work  for  
a) the  lifetime  of  the  author.  
b) twenty  years.  
c) fifty  years.  
d) the  lifetime  of  the  author  plus  twenty  years.  
e) the  lifetime  of  the  author  plus  fifty  years.  
 
26)  In  Canada,  the  lifetime  of  a  patent  is  
a) the  lifetime  of  the  inventor.  
b) twenty  years.  
c) fifty  years.  
d) the  lifetime  of  the  inventor  plus  twenty  years.  
e) the  lifetime  of  the  inventor  plus  fifty  years.  
 
  4  
27)  What  criteria  must  be  met  for  a  patent  to  be  granted  
a) New  and  Useful  
b) New,  Useful,  and  Not  Obvious.  
c) New,  Innovative,  and  Useful.  
d) Novel,  New,  and  Useful.  
e) New,  Innovative,  and  Not  Obvious.  
 
28)  Moral  rights  are  
a) a  subset  of  patent  law.  
b) a  subset  of  copyright  law.  
c) a  term  in  employment  law.  
d) a  duty  of  a  partner  to  another  partner.  
e) part  of  the  Solomon  Problem.  
 
29)  The  three  types  of  primary  energy  are  
a) nuclear,  electricity,  and  hydrogen.  
b) nuclear,  fossil  fuels,  and  electricity.  
c) fossil  fuels,  electricity,  and  hydrocarbons.  
d) nuclear,  fossil  fuels,  and  renewables.  
e) Nuclear,  fossils  fuels,  and  hydrogen.  
 
30)  The  three  elements  of  the  triple  top  line  are  
a) Ecology,  environment,  and  economy.  
b) Ecology,  equity,  and  society.    
c) Ecology,  equity,  and  economy.  
d) Environment,  Society,  and  Equity.  
e) Society,  Equity,  and  Economy.  
 
31)  The  two  classical  virtues  associated  with  emotions  are  
a) prudence  and  temperance.  
b) justice  and  temperance.  
c) temperance  and  fortitude.  
d) fortitude  and  prudence.    
e) fortitude  and  justice.  
 
32)  Of  the  four  classical  virtues,  which  one  is  ranked  the  highest?  
a) Prudence  
b) Justice  
c) Temperance  
d) Fortitude  
 
33)  The  textbook  defines  a  simple  model  of  the  psyche.  Which  element  is  not  part  of  the  book’s  definition?  
a) Emotions  
b) Mind  
c) Will    
d) Decision  

34)  As  defined  by  the  textbook,  which  of  the  below  IS  a  factor  that  limits  moral  responsibility?    
a) Lack  of  Responsibility    
b) Lack  of  Knowledge    
c) Lack  of  Disapproval    
d) Lack  of  Trust    
e) All  of  the  above.    
 
35)  Agency,  contract,  and  paternalism  are  all  models  of  relationship  dealing  with    
a) shareholders  within  a  company.  
b) teachers  and  students.  
c) managers  with  employees.  
d) engineers  and  clients.  
e) parents  and  their  children.  
  5  
  
36)  Immediate  material  cooperation  is  when  
a) we  disapprove  of  the  injustice  another  is  doing,  and  our  action  can  be  considered  neutral.  
b) we  disapprove  of  the  injustice  another  is  doing,  and  our  actions  provides  something  for  the  injustice  to  occur.  
c) we  approve  of  the  injustice  another  is  doing,  and  our  action  can  be  considered  neutral.  
d) we  approve  of  the  injustice  another  is  doing,  and  our  actions  provides  something  for  the  injustice  to  occur.  
e) We  approve  of  the  injustice  another  is  doing,  and  actively  aid  in  the  action.  
 
37)  Casuistry  is    
a) an  ethical  theory  where  an  individual  makes  decisions  that  promotes  his  or  her  own  good.  
b) a  decision  making  process  that  emphasizes  intuition  over  rational  thought.  
c) a  procedure  for  determining  the  maximum  benefit  of  an  action.  
d) a  method  of  assessing  an  action  by  comparing  it  against  two  paradigm  actions.  
e) a  guideline  for  ranking  conflicting  duties.  
 
38)  When  analyzing  risk,  typically,  an  engineer  will  NOT  consider  which  of  the  following  
a) Expected  probability.  
b) Proximity  to  self.  
c) Threshold  level  of  risk.  
d) Reversibility  of  effects.  
e) Short-­‐term  versus  long-­‐term.  
 
39)  The  ValuJet  case  shows  an  example  of  a    
a) random  error.  
b) programming  error.  
c) procedural  error.  
d) hardware  error.  
e) systemic  error.  
 
40)  Which  of  the  following  is  NOT  one  of  the  four  criteria  for  whistleblowing  discussed  in  class?  
a) Need  
b) Proximity  
c) Capability  
d) Last  Resort  
e) Legal  Capacity  
 
 
 

  6  
CASE  STUDY  (60  marks)  
 
Tom  and  Sarah,  both  professional  engineers,  graduated  from  SFU  Engineering  Science,  where  they  
became  good  friends.  Tom  works  for  BarrellMax,  a  company  that  manufacturers  plastic  barrels.  He  is  in  
charge  of  the  quality  assurance  department  that  analyzes  and  ranks  each  batch  of  barrels.  Those  barrels  
that  receive  high  scores  are  used  for  applications  where  hazardous  chemicals  are  involved,  such  as  
pesticide  containment;  barrels  that  score  lower  are  used  for  rain  barrels  and  other  benign  applications.  
Barrels  that  are  ranked  higher  cost  significantly  more  than  those  with  lower  scores.  
 
Sarah  works  for  Pestachem,  a  company  that  produces  herbicides  and  pesticides.  The  process  of  making  
these  products  results  in  many  gallons  of  residual  waste  that  must  be  safely  contained.  Pestachem  is  
currently  using  BarrellMax’s  barrels  for  this  containment;  however,  increasing  competition  has  resulted  
in  pressure  to  reduce  costs.  Pestachem  starts  ordering  BarrellMax’s  cheaper  barrels,  which  are  not  
suitable  for  chemical  containment.  Being  suspicious,  Tom  asks  Sarah  what  is  going  on  at  Pestachem.  
Sarah  states  that  the  company  decided  to  use  the  cheaper  barrels  for  the  chemical  containment.  She  says  
she  warned  them  that  this  posed  a  significant  risk  to  the  public,  but  her  manager  stated  that  the  
probability  of  an  accident  was  low,  and  that  the  company  would  switch  back  to  the  new  barrels  once  
pressure  to  cut  costs  was  gone.    
 
Tom  is  very  concerned  with  this  decision,  so  he  approaches  his  manager  to  enquire  about  the  change  in  
barrel  type  by  Pestachem.  The  manager  says  other  companies  can  order  what  ever  they  want.  Although  
he,  too,  is  suspicious,  he  doesn’t  want  to  probe  too  deeply  in  fear  that  Pestachem  will  change  suppliers.  
 
Tom  knows  he  should  do  something,  but  he  fears  that,  if  he  presses  this  issue  further,  Sarah  may  be  in  
trouble  for  giving  out  information  to  him,  and  she  may  be  fired  from  Pestachem.  
 

Answer the questions below. Keep your answers as concise as possible; do not feel
compelled to fill in the entire space provided. Justify all answers. Write legibly.
 

  7  
A)  What  legal  issues  are  associated  with  this  case?  (10  marks)  
 
ANSWER:  
   
• Given  that  the  case  deals  with  containment  of  chemicals,  Pestachem  may  be  violating  statues  
regarding  chemical  handling  and  disposal.  
 
• Even  if  there  are  no  statutes,  the  industry  probably  has  its  own  standard  of  care;  therefore,  
Pestachem  may  be  breaching  their  duty  of  care  that  they  owe  their  neighbours  (general  public).  
 
• The  Workers  Compensation  Board  requires  a  safe  working  environment,  and  using  sub-­‐standard  
barrels  may  be  causing  an  unsafe  working  environment.    
 
• Sarah  gave  out  company  information,  so  this  violates  her  duty  to  them  and  most  likely  explicitly  
violates  clauses  in  her  employment  contract.  
 
• Tom  now  knows  of  a  safety  problem  and  he  has  a  duty  to  warn.  
 

  8  
B)  Is  Tom  in  a  conflict  of  interest?  Explain.  (10  marks)  
 
ANSWER:  
 
COI  is  defined  as  “professional  opinion/discretion  is  (or  could  be)  compromised  by  personal  
gain/benefit”.  
 
Yes,  Tom  is  in  a  conflict  of  interest.  He  knows  there’s  a  safety  issue,  but  his  friendship  with  Sarah  may  get  
in  the  way  of  him  acting  appropriately.  His  friendship  with  Sarah  has  worth,  and  not  jeopardizing  the  
friendship  can  be  viewed  as  a  personal  benefit  to  Tom.  
 
Moreover,  Tom’s  current  situation  is  a  result  of  his  compromised  professional  judgment.  I  doubt  he  
would  have  covertly  asked  for  Pestachem’s  barrel  handling  practices  from  anyone  else  at  Pestachem.  As  a  
result  of  his  own  action,  Tom  placed  himself  in  the  conflict  of  interest,  which  clearly  violates  tenet  four  of  
the  code  of  ethics.  
 
Additionally,  Tom  pursuing  Pestachem’s  action  further  could  result  in  a  loss  of  business  for  BarellMax,  
and  it  could  also  put  him  at  odds  with  his  manager.  Therefore,  Tom’s  duty  to  the  public  may  be  
compromised  when  he  considers  the  ramifications  for  his  company  and  himself.  
 
In  summary,  the  potential  risk  to  public  and  worker  safety  is  clearly  a  concern  (tenet  1  of  code  of  ethics);  
however,  Tom’s  relationship  with  Sarah  and  possible  ramifications  for  his  company  may  keep  him  from  
acting.  
 

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C)  How  does  the  APEGBC  code  of  ethics  apply  in  this  case?  (10  marks)  
 
ANSWER:  
 
Tenet  1:  Hold  paramount  the  safety,  health  and  welfare  of  the  public,  the  protection  of  the  environment  
and  the  promotion  of  health  and  safety  within  the  workplace.  
 
Clearly,  Pestachem’s  practices  have  a  potential  to  harm  the  environment,  the  general  public,  and  
the  safety  of  the  workplace  environment.    
 
Tenet  2:  Undertake,  and  accept  responsibility  for,  professional  assignments  only  when  qualified  by  
training  or  experience.  
 
Tom  is  in  charge  of  quality  assurance,  so  he  is  qualified  with  regards  to  barrels  and  their  
appropriate  uses.  Sarah  is  at  Pestachem,  and  nothing  in  the  case  write-­‐up  suggests  that  she  is  
unqualified.  This  code  could  be  violated  if  we  consider  Tom  and  Sarah  entering  into  a  professional  
conversation  in  an  inappropriate  matter.  If  we  consider  this  interaction  as  a  managerial  
discussion,  then  they  are  undertaking  a  professional  assignment  without  the  necessary  
experience.  
 
Tenet  3:  Provide  an  opinion  on  a  professional  subject  only  when  it  is  founded  upon  adequate  knowledge  
and  honest  conviction.  
 
Both  Tom  and  Sarah  are  acting  with  honest  conviction:  they  truly  believe  that  there  is  a  potential  
safety  problem.  From  the  write-­‐up,  we  can  only  assume  whether  or  not  Sarah  has  adequate  
knowledge.  Tom  seems  like  he  is  trying  to  find  out  more  info,  and  the  manager  at  BarrellMax  
seems  willingly  ignorant  in  order  to  avoid  having  to  provide  a  professional  opinion.    
 
Tenet  4:  Act  as  faithful  agents  of  their  clients  or  employers,  maintain  confidentiality  and  avoid  conflicts  of  
interest  but,  where  such  conflict  arises,  fully  disclose  the  circumstances  without  delay  to  the  employer  or  
client.  
 
By  providing  company  information  to  Tom,  Sarah  is  clearly  violating  her  duty  to  be  a  faithful  agent  
to  her  employer.  As  discussed  before,  Tom  entered  into  a  conflict  of  interest  when  he  asked  Sarah  
for  this  information;  this  action  also  shows  that  to  wasn’t  a  faithful  employee  to  his  employer  
because  he  is  not  following  the  proper  chain  of  command.  
 
Tenet  7:  Conduct  themselves  with  fairness,  courtesy  and  good  faith  with  respect  to  clients,  colleagues  and  
others;  give  credit  where  it  is  due;  and  accept,  as  well  as  provide,  honest  and  fair  professional  comments.  
 
Tom  has  good  intentions  (protecting  public  safety);  however,  asking  Sarah  for  confidential  
information  is  not  courteous  or  fair.  
 
Tenet  8:  Clearly  present  to  employers  and  clients  the  possible  consequences  of  overruled  or  disregarded  
professional  decisions  or  judgments.  
 
From  the  case  write-­‐up,  we  know  Sarah  stated  her  objections  to  her  company,  but  we  do  not  know  
the  extent  to  which  she  objected.  Similarly,  Tom  approached  his  manager,  but  he  did  not  stress  the  
importance  of  the  safety  issue  nor  what  he  would  do  if  the  manager  did  not  listen.  
 
  10  
  
Tenet  9:  Report  to  the  Association,  or  other  appropriate  agencies,  any  hazardous,  illegal  or  unethical  
professional  decisions  or  practices  made  by  engineers,  geoscientists  or  others.  
 
This  tenet  falls  under  whistle  blowing,  and  it  is  examined  further  later.  Note  that  this  tenet  must  
be  examined  in  context  with  the  other  tenets.  And,  by  virtues  ethics,  Tom’s  actions  need  to  be  a  
golden  mean.  
 
 

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D)  How  do  the  virtues  and  types  of  cooperation  apply  to  this  case?  (10  marks)  
 
Prudence:  forethought  and  practicality  
 
Tom  sees  a  potential  threat  to  public  safety,  so  he  knows  he  must  act.  Unfortunately,  he  did  not  consider  
that  asking  Sarah  for  information  would  put  him  in  a  conflict  of  interest.  So  one  hand,  Tom  exhibited  
forethought  –  his  concern  for  public  safety  –  but,  on  the  other  hand,  he  seems  to  have  not  fully  consider  
his  action.    
 
Sarah  seems  to  have  easily  given  the  information,  so  she  seems  to  lack  forethought.  
Tom’s  manager  doesn’t  seem  to  want  to  even  consider  the  matter,  which  is  not  very  prudent.  
 
Temperance  and  Fortitude  
 
Tom  seems  to  have  approached  Sarah  for  information  because  he  wanted  an  answer  right  away.  He  
lacked  the  temperance  to  control  his  desire  for  a  quick  answer.  Although  asking  for  information  seems  
like  fortitude,  he  may  have  just  want  to  alleviate  his  own  duty  to  warn  by  placing  Sarah  in  his  position.  
Tom’s  manager  seems  to  lack  fortitude;  as  mentioned,  he  seems  to  want  to  be  ignorant  of  the  issue  so  he  
does  not  have  to  act.  
 
Justice:  truth  and  fairness  
 
Clearly,  violating  tenet  1  of  the  APEGBC  code  of  ethics  is  not  in  accordance  with  fairness.  Tom  and  Sarah  
seem  concerned  with  this  aspect  of  justice,  but  they’re  method  of  interacting  with  each  other  is  not  fair  to  
either  of  them  or  their  respective  companies.  Tom  and  Sarah  do  want  to  act  on  what  is  true:  substandard  
barrels  are  unsafe.  Tom’s  manager  and  the  managers  and  Pestachem  seem  to  want  to  ignore  this  fact.  
 
Types  of  cooperation  
 
Tom  and  Sarah  do  not  agree  with  the  situation  that  his  happening,  so  this  lack  of  approval  removes  
formal  cooperation.  As  for  mediate  and  immediate  cooperation,  one  could  argue  that  Tom  works  for  a  
company  supplying  the  barrels,  so  this  is  provides  something  necessary  for  the  action  to  occur.  
Additionally,  Sarah  works  for  Pestachem,  so  she  may  be  providing  something  necessary  as  well.  These  
arguments  are  a  bit  of  a  stretch,  and,  most  likely,  Sarah  and  Tom  are  not  cooperating  at  all.  
 
Arguably,  Tom’s  managers  actions  could  be  considered  immediate  material  cooperation.  He  disapproves  
of  the  action,  but  he  is  in  a  position  where  he  is  knowingly  providing  something  for  the  evil  to  occur.  
 
 

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E)  Should  Tom  blow  the  whistle?  (Incorporate  the  four  criteria  for  whistleblowing  into  your  answer).  (10  
marks)  
 
To  determine  whether  Tom  should  blow  the  whistle,  we  need  to  exam  the  four  criteria  for  whistle  
blowing:  need,  proximity,  capacity,  and  last  resort.  
 
Need  –  clearly,  this  case  presents  a  safety  issue  to  the  public  and  possibly  to  the  workers  at  
Pestachem.  APEGBC  tenet  one  clearly  states  that  safety  of  the  public  is  paramount;  however,  any  
safety  issues  are  not  immenent.  
 
Proximity  –  Tom  does  not  work  at  Pestachem,  so  he  has  heard  this  information  second  hand.  
Although  this  criterion  is  not  fully  satisfied,  Sarah  is  his  good  friend,  and  he  does  believe  what  she  
says.  Given  that  he  trusts  this  information,  he  will  need  to  take  steps  to  verify  it.  
 
Capacity  –  As  the  person  in  charge  of  quality  assurance  of  the  barrels,  Tom  is  definitely  an  expert  
in  their  use.  However,  the  misconduct  is  happening  at  Pestachem,  so  his  influence  at  that  company  
is  questionable.  
 
Last  resort  –  This  criterion  is  not  satisfied.  According  to  the  APEGBC  code  of  ethics  tenet  8,  Tom  
would  need  to  tell  his  manager  that  he  is  willing  to  take  this  matter  further.  
 
Because  the  four  criteria  for  whistleblowing  are  not  met,  Tom  should  not  blow  the  whistle.  Need  is  
clearly  satisfied,  proximity  and  capacity  are  somewhat  fulfilled,  but  last  resort  is  not  satisfied.  
 
 
 

  13  
F)  What  should  Tom  do  next?    Justify  your  answer.  (10  marks)  
 
ANSWER:  
 
Legally   and   ethically,   Tom   must   do   something;   inaction   is   not   an   option.   Considering   virtue   ethics,   he  
needs   to   find   the   golden   mean   between   two   extremes:   do   nothing   and   risk   public   safety   and   blowing   the  
whistle  and  getting  his  friend,  Sarah,  into  trouble.  
 
As   stated   in   the   whistleblowing   analysis,   Tom’s   ability   to   effect   change   at   Pestachem   may   be   limited  
because   he   works   at   BarrellMax.   Furthermore,   Tom   has   not   exhausted   all   options,   so   last   resort   is   not  
fulfilled.  
 
Tom’s  first  course  of  action  should  be  to  encourage  Sarah  to  work  within  Pestachem  to  stop  the  use  of  
substandard  barrels.  The  case  description  does  not  state  the  lengths  to  which  she  went  to  persuade  her  
manager.  If  her  manager  does  not  listen  to  her,  then  she  needs  to  warn  that  person  that  she  is  willing  to  
go  to  her  manager’s  boss  (as  stated  in  tenet  8).  
 
If  this  course  of  action  is  not  effective,  then  Tom  needs  to  talk  with  his  manager.  Similar  to  Sarah’s  case,  
Tom   did   not   try   to   persuade   his   manager.   Although   he   broached   the   subject,   he   did   not   articulate   the  
consequences   if   no   action   were   taken.   Tom   can   use   the   APEGBC   code   of   ethics   to   demonstrate   that   his  
manager’s  apathy  towards  the  situation  is  not  professional.  
 
Both   Tom   and   Sarah   need   to   remember   that   acknowledged,   internal   whistleblowing   is   preferred   to  
anonymous,   external   whistleblowing.   Because   public   safety   is   paramount,   Sarah   or   Tom   may   be   in   a  
position  where  whistleblowing  is  necessary,  but  they  do  have  several  actions,  as  stated  above,  that  they  
need  to  try  before  whistleblowing.  
 
 

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