3. OBJECTIVES OF THE LECTURES
Students should
understand the
characteristics and
responsibilities of a
professional Engineer
1
Students should also
understand Engineers idea
and solemn statements and
professional Registrations
2
Students should be
exposed to professional
organizations and practical
Engineering Ethics
3
5. ENGINEERING AS A PROFESSION
Engineering is a profession in which the knowledge of mathematics and the natural
sciences is applied with discretion and judgment in order to use economically the
materials and forces of nature for the benefit of people.
It differs from other learned professions in a number of ways: in the type of service
provided, in the training requirements for its practitioners, in the diversity of its
leadership, and in the lack of uniformity and rigidity in its registration laws.
Engineers are concerned with the creation of structures, devices, and systems for
human use. In contrast to other professionals, engineers tend to create machines,
structures, processes, and the like for the use of groups of people rather than for an
individual.
They seldom deal directly with the users of their works or beneficiaries of their
services, while other professionals (e.g., attorneys, physicians, psychologists, and
dentists) commonly do so.
6. ENGINEERING AS A PROFESSION
Herbert Hoover, the thirty-first president of the United States and a mining engineer,
comparing engineering with other professions, made the following whimsical observations:
The great liability of the engineer compared to men of other professions is that his works
are out in the open where all can see them. His acts, step by step, are in hard substance.
He cannot bury his mistakes in the grave like the doctors.
He cannot argue them into thin air or blame the judge like the lawyers. He cannot, like the
architect, cover his failures with trees and vines. He cannot, like the politicians, screen his
shortcomings by blaming his opponents and hope that the people will forget. The engineer
simply cannot deny that he did it. If his works do not work, he is damned. That is the
phantasmagoria that haunts his nights and dogs his days.
He comes from the job at the end of the day resolved to calculate it again. He wakes in the
morning. All day he shivers at the thought of the bugs which will inevitably appear to jolt its
smooth consummation. On the other hand, unlike the doctor, his is not a life among the
weak. Unlike the soldier, destruction is not his purpose. Unlike the lawyer, quarrels are not
his daily bread. To the engineer falls the job of clothing the bare bones of science with life,
comfort, and hope.
7. CHARACTERISTICS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF PROFESSIONAL
ENGINEERS
Professional engineers are expected to possess education, knowledge,
and skills in an engineering specialty that exceed those of the general
public. They must be willing to stay abreast of discoveries and
technological changes by participation in professional meetings and
continuing education.
They must also possess a willingness to advance professional
knowledge, ideals, and practice and to share their knowledge with their
peers. Professional engineers must have a sense of responsibility and
service to society and to their employers and clients, and they must act
honorably in their dealings with others.
They must be willing to follow established codes of ethics for their
profession and to guard their professional integrity and ideals and those
of their profession.
8. IDEALS AND SOLEMN STATEMENTS OF PROFESSIONAL
ENGINEERS
The ideals and obligations of engineering as a profession have been
embodied in solemn statements of intention prepared by engineering
societies. Members of the National Society of Professional Engineers
subscribe to this Creed: As a Professional Engineer, I dedicate my
professional knowledge and skill to the advancement and betterment of
human welfare.
9. IDEALS AND SOLEMN STATEMENTS OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS
(THE ENGINEERS PLEDGE)
I pledge:
To give the utmost of performance; To participate in none but honest
enterprise; To live and work according to the laws of man and the highest
standards of professional conduct; To place service before profit, the honor
and standing of the profession before personal advantage, and the public
welfare above all other considerations. In humility and with need for Divine
Guidance, I make this pledge.
10. IDEALS AND SOLEMN STATEMENTS OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS
(THE ENGINEERS FAITH)
The Ethics Committee of the Engineers’ Council for Professional Development (5)
prepared the following statement describing the faith of the engineer:
I AM AN ENGINEER. In my profession I take deep pride, but without vainglory; to it I
owe solemn obligations that I am eager to fulfill. As an Engineer, I will participate in
none but honest enterprise.
To him that has engaged my services, as employer or client, I will give the utmost of
performance and fidelity. When needed, my skill and knowledge shall be given
without reservation for the public good. From special capacity springs the obligation
to use it well in the service to humanity; and I accept the challenge that this implies.
Jealous of the high repute of my calling, I will strive to protect the interests and the
good name of any engineer that I know to be deserving; but I will not shrink, should
duty dictate, from disclosing the truth regarding anyone that, by unscrupulous act,
has shown himself unworthy of the profession.
11. PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION
The registration laws are administered by independent registration boards in the states
and jurisdictions, each operating within the framework of its own laws. Although there
are statutory differences and variations among the boards in procedures and policies,
a great deal of progress has been made in promoting uniform standards.
A common pattern for registration is the requirement that the applicant:
1. Graduate in an engineering curriculum of not less than four years.
2. 2. Acquire not less than four years’ experience in engineering work of a character
satisfactory to the Board.
3. 3. Pass a written examination..
12. PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Professional Organization consist of engineering bodies and its societies .
A professional body (also referred to as a professional institute) can be defined as
an organization that holds individual members who are personnel associated with an
engineering profession, interest, or occupation.
Professional society or "society" means any association or other organization of persons
engaged in the same profession, occupation, or a specialty within a profession or
occupation, a primary purpose of which is to maintain the professional standards of
the persons engaged in its profession, occupation, or specialty practice.
13. PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
The most prominent of the professional engineering organizations are five of the oldest
and largest groups known as the “founder societies”:
1. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).
2. 2. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
3. 3. American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
4. 4. American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE).
5. 5. American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers (AIME).
14. PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS - INTERNATIONAL
Audio Engineering Society
International Association of Engineers
International Council of Academies of Engineering and Technological Sciences
International Council on Systems Engineering
International Geodetic Student Organisation
International Society of Automation
International Society for Optical Engineering
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
National Society of Black Engineers
Society of Automotive Engineers
Society of Petroleum Engineers
Society of Professional Engineers
Society of Women Engineers
World Federation of Engineering Organizations
15. PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS - LOCAL
Ghana Institution of Engineers
Ghana Biomedical Convention.
Ghana Institute of Architects..
Ghana Institution of Surveyors.
Institution of Engineering and Technology
16. ROLE OF PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Primary role is to facilitate the registration of engineers (Graduate and Professional) and
regulate the professional conduct and practice of registered engineers in order to safeguard
the safety and interest of the public.
They are dedicated to the advancement of the knowledge and practice of professions through
developing,
supporting,
regulating
and promoting professional standards for technical and ethical competence
17. ROLE OF PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
They are dedicated to the advancement of the knowledge and practice of professions through
developing,
supporting,
regulating
and promoting professional standards for technical and ethical competence
18. ENGINEERING ETHICS
Ethics is the study of the morality of human actions. It is the science of determining
values in human conduct and of deciding what ought to be done in different
circumstances and situations. Engineering ethics represents the attempts of
professional engineers to define proper courses of action in their dealings with each
other, with their clients and employees, and with the general public.
19. MORAL FOUNDATIONS OF ENGINEERING ETHICS
Kohlberg suggested that an individual may reason and approach moral decisions from
three main levels of moral cognitive development.
The most primitive he calls the Pre-conventional Level, in which proper conduct is regarded
as what directly benefits oneself. This is the level of development of most young children.
At this level, individuals are motivated primarily by an unquestioning submission to power,
by a desire to avoid punishment, or by a desire to satisfy their own needs.
At the next level of moral development, termed the Conventional Level, the individual
accepts the norms of one’s family, group, or society as the standard of morality. At this
level, individuals are motivated by the desire to please others and to conform to the
expectations of the social unit rather than upon their self interest. Here an act is deemed to
be morally right when it is approved by convention or law and wrong when it violates group
customs or laws.
According to Kohlberg, the highest level of moral development is the Post-conventional
Level, at which an individual is motivated by what is morally reasonable for its own sake
without regard to self-interest or to social conventions. Such individuals are morally
autonomous because they think for themselves and do not respond to ulterior motives or
assume that group customs are always right.
20. MORAL THEORIES OF ENGINEERING ETHICS
It is helpful to examine further the moral underpinnings of ethical behavior. What makes certain
actions morally right and others morally wrong? Martin and Schinzinger describe four types of
moral theories that help to answer this question:
1. Utilitarianism. This theory considers the good and bad consequences of an action and seeks to
maximize utility, defined as the overall balance of good over bad consequences. Our actions
ought always to produce the most utility, considering everyone affected by those actions.
2. 2. Duty ethics. This theory maintains that there are duties which ought to be performed even
though performing them may not always produce the most good: to be fair, to be honest, etc.
3. 3. Rights ethics. Under this theory, an action is morally right if it does not violate the
rights of other people.
4. 4. Virtue ethics. This theory regards an action right if it supports good character traits
(virtues) and wrong if it manifests bad character traits (vices).
21. CODES OF ENGINEERING ETHICS
The Code of Ethics for Engineers published by the National Society of Professional
Engineers (NSPE), is reprinted in the following paragraphs by permission of NSPE. The
NSPE Code of Ethics consists of a preamble, six fundamental canons or authoritative
rules, five rules of practice, and nine professional obligations. This document
comprises basic rules of professional behavior suitable for all engineering specialties.
22. CODE OF ETHICS FOR ENGINEERS: JULY 1996–PRESENT
(PREAMBLE)
Engineering is an important and learned profession. As members of this profession,
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.
23. CODE OF ETHICS FOR ENGINEERS: JULY 1996–PRESENT
(FUNDAMENTAL CANONS)
I. Fundamental Canons Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall:
1. Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public.
2. Perform services only in areas of their competence.
3. Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
4. Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees.
5. Avoid deceptive acts.
6. Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance
the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession.
24. CODE OF ETHICS FOR ENGINEERS: JULY 1996–PRESENT
(RULES OF PRACTICE)
II. Rules of Practice
1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public.
a. If engineers’ judgment is overruled under circumstances that endanger life or property, they shall
notify their employer or client and such other authority as may be appropriate.
b. Engineers shall approve only those engineering documents that are in conformity with applicable
standards.
c. Engineers shall not reveal facts, data or information without the prior consent of the client or
employer except as authorized or required by law or this Code.
d. Engineers shall not permit the use of their name or associate in business ventures with any
person or firm that they believe is engaged in fraudulent or dishonest enterprise.
e. Engineers having knowledge of any alleged violation of this Code shall report thereon to
appropriate professional bodies and, when relevant, also to public authorities, and cooperate
with the proper authorities in furnishing such information or assistance as may be required.
25. CODE OF ETHICS FOR ENGINEERS: JULY 1996–PRESENT
(RULES OF PRACTICE)
II. Rules of Practice
2. Engineers shall perform services only in the areas of their competence.
a. Engineers shall undertake assignments only when qualified by education or experience in
the specific technical fields involved.
b. Engineers shall not affix their signatures to any plans or documents dealing with subject
matter in which they lack competence, nor to any plan or document not prepared under their
direction and control.
c. Engineers may accept assignments and assume responsibility for coordination of an entire
project and sign and seal the engineering documents for the entire project, provided that
each technical segment is signed and sealed only by the qualified engineers who prepared
the segment.
26. CODE OF ETHICS FOR ENGINEERS: JULY 1996–PRESENT
(RULES OF PRACTICE)
II. Rules of Practice
3. Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
a. Engineers shall be objective and truthful in professional reports, statements, or testimony.
They shall include all relevant and pertinent information in such reports, statements, or
testimony, which should bear the date indicating when it was current.
b. Engineers may express publicly technical opinions that are founded upon knowledge of the
facts and competence in the subject matter.
c. Engineers shall issue no statements, criticisms, or arguments on technical matters that are
inspired or paid for by interested parties, unless they have prefaced their comments by
explicitly identifying the interested parties on whose behalf they are speaking, and by
revealing the existence of any interest the engineers may have in the matters.
27. CODE OF ETHICS FOR ENGINEERS: JULY 1996–PRESENT
(RULES OF PRACTICE)
II. Rules of Practice
4. Engineers shall act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees.
a. Engineers shall disclose all known or potential conflicts of interest that could influence or appear
to influence their judgment or the quality of their services.
b. Engineers shall not accept compensation, financial or otherwise, from more than one party for
services on the same project, or for services pertaining to the same project, unless the
circumstances are fully disclosed and agreed to by all interested parties.
c. Engineers shall not solicit or accept financial or other valuable consideration, directly or indirectly,
from outside agents in connection with the work for which they are responsible.
d. Engineers in public service as members, advisors, or employees of a governmental or quasi-
governmental body or department shall not participate in decisions with respect to services
solicited or provided by them or their organizations in private or public engineering practice.
e. Engineers shall not solicit or accept a contract from a governmental body on which a principal or
officer of their organization serves as a member
28. CODE OF ETHICS FOR ENGINEERS: JULY 1996–PRESENT
(RULES OF PRACTICE)
II. Rules of Practice
5. Engineers shall avoid deceptive acts.
a. Engineers shall not falsify their qualifications or permit misrepresentation of their or their associates’
qualifications. They shall not misrepresent or exaggerate their responsibility in or for the subject matter
of prior assignments. Brochures or other presentations incident to the solicitation of employment shall
not misrepresent pertinent facts concerning employers, employees, associates, joint venturers, or past
accomplishments.
b. Engineers shall not offer, give, solicit, or receive, either directly or indirectly, any contribution to
influence the award of a contract by public authority, or which may be reasonably construed by the
public as having the effect or intent of influencing the awarding of a contract. They shall not offer any
gift or other valuable consideration in order to secure work. They shall not pay a commission,
percentage, or brokerage fee in order to secure work, except to a bona fide employee or bona fide
established commercial or marketing agencies retained by them.
29. CODE OF ETHICS FOR ENGINEERS: JULY 1996–PRESENT
(PROFESSIONAL OBLIGATIONS)
1. Engineers shall be guided in all their relations by the highest standards of honesty
and integrity.
a. Engineers shall acknowledge their errors and shall not distort or alter the facts.
b. Engineers shall advise their clients or employers when they believe a project will not be
successful.
c. Engineers shall not accept outside employment to the detriment of their regular work or
interest. Before accepting any outside engineering employment, they will notify their
employers.
d. Engineers shall not attempt to attract an engineer from another employer by false or
misleading pretenses.
e. Engineers shall not actively participate in strikes, picket lines, or other collective coercive
action.
f. Engineers shall not promote their own interest at the expense of the dignity and integrity of
the profession.
30. CODE OF ETHICS FOR ENGINEERS: JULY 1996–PRESENT
(PROFESSIONAL OBLIGATIONS)
2. Engineers shall at all times strive to serve the public interest.
a. Engineers shall seek opportunities to participate in civic affairs; career guidance for youths; and
work for the advancement of the safety, health and well-being of their community.
b. Engineers shall not complete, sign, or seal plans and/or specifications that are not in conformity
with applicable engineering standards. If the client or employer insists on such unprofessional
conduct, they shall notify the proper authorities and withdraw from further service on the project.
c. Engineers shall endeavor to extend public knowledge and appreciation of engineering and its
achievements.
3. Engineers shall avoid all conduct or practice that deceives the public.
a. Engineers shall avoid the use of statements containing a material misrepresentation of fact or
omitting a material fact.
b. Consistent with the foregoing, Engineers may advertise for recruitment of personnel.
c. Consistent with the foregoing, Engineers may prepare articles for the lay or technical press, but
such articles shall not imply credit to the author for work performed by others.
31. CODE OF ETHICS FOR ENGINEERS: JULY 1996–PRESENT
(PROFESSIONAL OBLIGATIONS)
4. Engineers shall not disclose, without consent, confidential information concerning the business
affairs or technical processes of any present or former client or employer, or public body on
which they serve.
a. Engineers shall not, without the consent of all interested parties, promote or arrange for new
employment or practice in connection with a specific project for which the Engineer has gained
particular and specialized knowledge.
b. Engineers shall not, without the consent of all interested parties, participate in or represent an
adversary interest in connection with a specific project or proceeding in which the Engineer has gained
particular specialized knowledge on behalf of a former client or employer.
5. Engineers shall not be influenced in their professional duties by conflicting interests.
a. Engineers shall not accept financial or other considerations, including free engineering designs, from
material or equipment suppliers for specifying their product.
b. Engineers shall not accept commissions or allowances, directly or indirectly, from contractors or other
parties dealing with clients or employers of the Engineer in connection with work for which the
Engineer is responsible
32. CODE OF ETHICS FOR ENGINEERS: JULY 1996–PRESENT
(PROFESSIONAL OBLIGATIONS)
6. Engineers shall not attempt to obtain employment or advancement or professional engagements by
untruthfully criticizing other engineers, or by other improper or questionable methods.
a. Engineers shall not request, propose, or accept a commission on a contingent basis under circumstances in
which their judgment may be compromised.
b. Engineers in salaried positions shall accept part-time engineering work only to the extent consistent with
policies of the employer and in accordance with ethical considerations.
c. Engineers shall not, without consent, use equipment, supplies, laboratory, or office facilities of an employer
to carry on outside private practice.
7. Engineers shall not attempt to injure, maliciously or falsely, directly or indirectly, the professional
reputation, prospects, practice, or employment of other engineers. Engineers who believe others are
guilty of unethical or illegal practice shall present such information to the proper authority for action.
a. Engineers in private practice shall not review the work of another engineer for the same client, except with
the knowledge of such engineer, or unless the connection of such engineer with the work has been
terminated.
b. Engineers in governmental, industrial, or educational employ are entitled to review and evaluate
the work of other engineers when so required by their employment duties.
c. Engineers in sales or industrial employ are entitled to make engineering comparisons of
represented products with products of other suppliers.
33. CODE OF ETHICS FOR ENGINEERS: JULY 1996–PRESENT
(PROFESSIONAL OBLIGATIONS)
8. Engineers shall accept personal responsibility for their professional activities, provided, however, that Engineers
may seek indemnification for services arising out of their practice for other than gross negligence, where the
Engineer’s interests cannot otherwise be protected.
a. Engineers shall conform with state registration laws in the practice of engineering.
b. Engineers shall not use association with a non engineer, a corporation, or partnership as a “cloak” for unethical acts.
9. Engineers shall give credit for engineering work to those to whom credit is due, and will recognize the proprietary
interests of others.
a. Engineers shall, whenever possible, name the person or persons who may be individually responsible for designs,
inventions, writings, or other accomplishments.
b. Engineers using designs supplied by a client recognize that the designs remain the property of the client and may not be
duplicated by the Engineer for others without express permission.
c. Engineers, before undertaking work for others in connection with which the Engineer may make improvements, plans,
designs, inventions, or other records that may justify copyrights or patents, should enter into a positive agreement
regarding ownership.
d. Engineers’ designs, data, records, and notes referring exclusively to an employer’s work are the employer’s property.
Employer should indemnify the Engineer for use of the information for any purpose other than the original purpose.
34. GROUP DISCUSSIONS
Mr. Smith is a professional engineer employed by AB Pump Company. Mr. Smith has lunch with Mr. Jones,
representing YZ Seal Corporation. The men discussed YZ’s product line at some length during lunch. Over
dessert, the men begin discussing football and learn that they are both huge fans of the Green Bay Packers
professional football team. Mr. Jones calls Mr. Smith a couple of days later and invites him to watch the Packers
game on Sunday in YZ’s corporate suite.
Mr. Smith accepts the invitation and attends the game. The men spend the afternoon watching their beloved
Packers. The subject of business never even comes up in the conversation. As they exit the suite after the game,
Mr. Williams, a salesman employed by EF Seal Corporation, spots the two men. Mr Williams knows both men,
but chooses not to approach them. A couple of weeks later, Mr. Smith sends out a request for quotation to both
YZ Seal Corporation and EF Seal Corporation to supply several hundred thousand dollars worth of pump seals.
Both companies submit quotations and are evaluated in accordance with AB’s normal bid evaluation process.
Mr. Smith is responsible for performing the technical bid evaluation, but is not involved in the final purchase
decision. YZ Seal Corporation is awarded the contract based on technical merit and lowest life cycle costs.
The next day, John Smith is called into the office of AB Pump Company’s president. The company president is
concerned about a phone call that he received from Mr. Williams, representing EF Seal Corporation, who is
alleging that an inappropriate relationship may exist between Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones of YZ Seal Corporation.
Hence resulting in their inability to win the contract.
i) Did Mr. Smith have a conflict of interest? ii) Did Mr. Smith have an apparent conflict of interest?
35. REFERENCES BOOKS
Engineering in Perspective by Tony Ridley ( Imperial College London, UK)
Engineering in Perspective , Lessons for Successful career, Tony Ridley, ( 8th Edition )
Engineering to Engineering Design, 5 th Edition, by James W. Delly
