Ethical Issues for Engineers Prepared & Presented by Roxanne L. Pillar, P.E. Vice President Huitt-Zollars, Inc. October 2014
Today we will discuss..... Definition of Ethics Codes of Ethics History of Engineer Failures Case Studies Texas Board of Professional Engineers (TBPE) Q & A
How would you define ethics/ethical behavior?
Definitions Morality concept of right or wrong; individual conscience, codes of behavior Ethics the science of human duty; body of rules of duty drawn from this science; rules of practice
The Science of Good & Evil by Michael Shermer Morality involves issues of right and wrong thought and behavior Ethics involves the study of right and wrong thought and behavior
Trust & Ethics A fundamental business concern Demonstrated by business practices Well, it depends = conditional ethics Gap between what people want to do and what they actually do Ain t no right way to do the wrong thing Rep. Dick Armey
The louder he spoke of his honor, the faster we counted our spoons. Ralph W. Emerson
Who says so? Formal Codes and Standards National Institute for Engineering Ethics American Society of Civil Engineers National Society of Professional Engineers APWA Standard of Professional Conduct Texas Board of Professional Engineers
National Institute for Engineering Ethics Center for Study of Ethics in the Professions 850 codes Online Ethics Center Code differences due to origin and specific purpose Selected Engineering Codes
American Society of Civil Engineers Code of Ethics Principles and Canons Canon #1 Safety, health and welfare of public Canon #2 Perform only in area of competence Canon #3 Objective and truthful Canon #4 Act as faithful agents, avoid conflicts of interest Canon #5 Reputation on merit/fair competition Canon #6 Uphold honor, integrity and dignity of profession Canon #7 Continue professional development
National Society of Professional Engineers Preamble Fundamental Canons Rules of Practice Professional Obligations Obligation to protect the health, safety and welfare of the general public Putting professional interests above selfinterests Attain and maintain competence
APWA STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT I will keep the public trust and will not take personal advantage of privileged information or relationships. I will put public interest above individual, group or societal interest and consider my chosen occupation as an opportunity to serve society. I will encourage sustainability through wise use of resources; whether they are natural resources, financial resources or human resources. I will consider public health and safety in every aspect of my work. I will conduct myself with personal integrity in a manner that enhances and honors the reputation of the profession, my employer, my community and the Association. I will ensure that the work for which I am responsible complies with all legal requirements of the local, state, province, or federal governments. I will strive to plan, design, build, maintain and operate public infrastructure in a manner that respects the environment and the ability of government to adequately preserve these assets for succeeding generations.
Texas Board of Professional Engineers A Law, not a Code Title 6, Regulation of Engineering; Chapter 1001. Engineer; Subchapter C: Professional Conduct and Ethics 60% of Complaints business ethics related Established the Murdough Center On-line ethics quiz measures knowledge of law and rules
Cowboy Code to Life Don t squat with your spurs on. If you find yourself in a hole, first thing to do is stop diggin. If your ridin ahead of the herd, look back every now and then to make sure it s still with ya. The easiest way to eat crow is while it is warm. Always drink upstream of the herd. If you get to thinkin you re a person of some influence, try orderin somebody else s dog around.
Even Pirates have a code Every man shall obey civil Command Keeping a secret or stealing is grounds for being marooned A man striking another man shall receive Moses' Law (39 stripes) on a bare back Endangering the ship with fire Moses' Law Meddling with a prudent woman without her consent, shall suffer present Death
Ethical Principles Do no harm Health safety and welfare of public Area of competence Objective and honest Avoid conflict of interest Public and Profession above profit
Ethical Conduct Work relationships Legal compliance Conflict of interest Bribery and kickbacks Lunch? Confidential information Consideration of employer assets Moonlighting
Ethical VS. Technical Issues Technical Tacoma Narrows Bridge Ethical and Technical Space Shuttles Kansas City Hyatt Regency Chernobyl
History: Failures change the future Johnstown Flood, PA 1889 Quebec Bridge, Canada 1907 and 1916 Boston Molasses Disaster, MA 1919 St Francis Dam, CA 1928 New London School Explosion, TX 1937 Tacoma Narrows Bridge, WA 1940 Columbia Shuttle, TX/LA 2003
What s going on? Workplace situations Business choices Case Studies
Workplace Situations Respecting coworker privacy Taking home office supplies Use of mobile phones Time spent on the internet Computer licensing Groupthink of workplace
Business Choices Sarbanes-Oxley Taking care of clients Paying sub-consultants Recruiting staff Political contributions
Good Working Relationships Partnership between Client and Consultant to serve the best interest of the public Communication, expectations and tribulations Go to the field Know your contract Do your QA/QC
Evaluate Case What are the key issues? What are the options? Recommendation?
Case Study TBPE Disciplinary Case: Going to the Field Foundation company hires licensed PE to verify foundation work done according to plan and properly constructed. Engineer writes and signs letter of verification Another Inspector trade discovers all is not well Foundation company refunds money What about the engineer?
Case Study TBPE Disciplinary Case: Conflict of Interest On site at long term development performing CA services for Engineering Contractor makes request Licensee s actions Lawyer Board Action
Case Studies From NSPE, On Ethics You Be the Judge When to Sign Off Shedding Light on PE Use of Stamp When Things Fall Apart Such a Thing as Too Much Work?
Murphy was an Engineer Nothing is ever as simple as it seems If you try to please everybody, somebody is not going to like it If you explain something so clearly that no one can misunderstand, someone will Everything always costs more money than you have, and takes longer It is easier to get into a thing than to get out of it
Texas Board of Professional Engineers Licensing Agency Enforcement of the Law - fingerprinting Manage Applications and Applicants Complaints Roster Newsletter Ethics Webinars Education and Presentations
Resources NSPE Gilbane Gold NSPE Incident at Morales NIEE Henry s Daughters NSPE Case Studies Applied Ethics in Professional Practice Case of the Month National Institute for Engineering Ethics NSPE Code Ethics Exam TBPE Ethics Exam
TBPE License Are you qualified? Go to: www.tbpe.state.tx.us License application SER = Supplemental Experience Record Transcripts Engineering Exams References Fingerprinting and Criminal History Record
Websites www.niee.org www.asce.org/inside/codesofethics.cfm www.nspe.org/ethics/eh1-code.asp www.murdough.ttu.edu www.ethicsinstitute.com http://onlineethics.org www.tbpe.state.tx.us