Engineering Ethics

Johnny Andrews, Mitchell Bryan, Jordan Beasley, Rodney Brown, Kerry Bisset

Engineering Ethics
Engineering is an important and learned profession. As a member engineers are expected to exhibit the highest standards of honesty and integrity. Engineering has a direct and vital impact on the quality of life for all people. Accordingly, the services provided by engineers require honesty, impartiality, fairness and equity, and must be dedicated to the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare. Engineers must perform under a standard of professional behavior that requires adherence to the highest principles of ethical conduct. (NSPE)

Engineering Case 1
Public Welfare- Bridge Structure Overview
280 ft. long bridge which is 30 ft. above a stream The bridge is concrete deck rested on wooden piles. It was built in the 1950s and the wood is now rotting

Engineer A
Works for the local government Learned about the situation about the bridge He received a call from the bridge inspector stating that the bridge need to be closed because a large number of rotten piles

Results
A non-engineer public works director decided to have a retired bridge inspector, who was not an engineer, to take a look at the bridge The bridge inspector installed two crutches No follow up was undertaken Engineer A notices that the bridge is still moving enough to be dangerous

What Engineer A Needs To Do

Under the Code of Ethics for Engineers the engineer needs to:
1. Report the level of swaying in the bridge 2. Request that a follow up examination 3. Have the bridge closed off again to protect the public

Codes To Take Into Account

Rules of Practice
1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety health, and welfare.
If engineers judgment is overruled under circumstances that endanger life or property, they shall notify their employer or client and such other authority that may be appropriate.

Engineering Case 2
Prospective Owner made an offer on a house contingent on a satisfactory inspection Home Inspector B was not satisfied that the residence is structurally sound Prospective Owner ask Engineer A to do a structural inspection of a residence

Engineer A
Engineer A is a structural and civil engineer Engineer A deems the structure average for the house Moister levels are noted as excessive which created mold and mildew

Results
The conversation slides into being about the health issues dealing with the mold The Engineer makes a suggestion to help with the mold while making the building more structurally sound.

What Engineer A Needs To Do

Under the Code of Ethics for Engineers the engineer needs to:
To speak on matters that contain only structural matters of the build Needs to get someone who actually learnt in mold to see if his solution will help Needs to shift back to the fact that building is structurally sound

Codes To Take Into Account

Rules of Practice
1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public. Engineers shall perform services only in the areas of their competence

Questions?
About any of the situations Or any comments about other options or c0des that could come into effect