ETHICS AND PROFESSIONALISM Engineers Session 2 in Society

The notes are just for guidelines to reflect the lesson taught during the lecture. Students are required to read the text book in order to understand the topic. p

Engineers in Society

Engineers in Society

Moral questions

To what extent should an employers directives be the authoritative guide to an engineers s conduct? engineerss What does one do when there are differences of judgments? Is it fair for employers to terminate an engineer for not following bad orders?

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What is Engineering Ethics?

The study of moral issues and decisions confronting individuals and organizations engaged in engineering activities.

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BEM Code of Professional

Every registered engineers shall at all times uphold the dignity, high standing and reputation of his profession.

A registered engineer in his responsibility to his employer, client or the profession shall have full regard to the public interest.

A registered engineer shall discharge his duties to his employer or client as the case may be with complete fidelity.

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BEM Code of Professional

A registered engineers shall not canvas or solicit professional employment.

A PE in private practice shall not be a medium of payment made on his clients.

A PE in private practice shall not directly or indirectly intervene or attempt to intervene in or in connection with engineering work of any kind

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BEM Code of Professional

Except with prior approval of the Board, a PE in private practice shall not be a director or executive of or a substantial shareholder in or agent for any contracting or manufacturing company or firm or business related to building or engineering engineering.

If such approval (i.e., a PE is also a company director etc.) is given, such PE shall not undertake any contract work wherein he is engaged as a consulting engineer in such project unless it is respect of design and build project.

Every registered engineer while acting in his professional capacity shall disclose in writing to his client of the fact if he is a director or member of or substantial shareholder in or agent for any contracting or manufacturing company or firm or business, with which he deals on behalf of his client

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BEM Code of Professional

Scale of Fees - Charges imposed by registered PE for professional advice/services rendered to clients
Section 4(1) of the Registration of Engineers Act 1967 states that: The functions of the Board shall be to fix from time to time with the approval of the Minister the scale of fees to be charged by registered Engineers and Engineering consultancy practices for professional engineering services rendered. Also mentioned in Item 2 of BEMs Brief Introduction to Code of Ethics for Young Engineers (BEM, 2008) that: An engineering consultant should not carry out projects for fees below the minimum outlined in the scale of fees. The fixing of engineers professional fees ensures that engineers gain satisfactory and comparable earnings and the standing that other professionals receive. This also means that that an engineer must not try to compete with other engineers by reducing fees. Refer to text book for more details.

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Engineers Dilemma

A registered engineer in his responsibility to his employer, client or the profession shall have full regard to the public interest. Consider also the following codes: Refer to case studies A registered engineer shall discharge his duties to his employer or in Text book client as the case may be with complete fidelity A registered engineer in his responsibility to his employer, client or the profession shall have full regard to the public interest. The second code requires engineers to have full regard to the public interest can conflict with the first code. There are situations in which it may not be clear whether the obligations to the public are weighty enough to override the obligations to the employer

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Case Study 1: Non-Engineer

Sitaraman studied engineering design for M&E services in buildings through a six-month course. Even without a recognized g , p g degree, he has the confidence to perform design work due to his past involvement at his uncles private practice. Recently he established a partnership with an old friend who graduated from UTP to form an M&E consultancy firm.

(a) Is there an ethical issue here? (b) Which code of practice is applicable? (c) What are the possible consequences?

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Case Study 2: Code of Professional Conduct

Mr Goodman, a resident Engineer for a large road project has extensive field engineering experience. He suggested techniques and procedures g g p gg q p that save time and money to the contractor, although all the work was done strictly in accordance to the plans and specifications. During, festive season, Mr Goodman receives a basket of hamper from the contractor with greeting cards attached. Question: May Mr Goodman accept the gift?
He has done something which is actually good for every one, without being asked for it. On the other hand, receiving such a gift would seem like receiving bribe, although technically it is not. Then how? SeeSec.4.10ofthetextbookformorecases