Engineering Ethics Flashcards

Question

Why is conscience not Enough?

Answer 1

The code is to protect each professional from certain pressures (for example, the pressure to cut corners to save money) by making it reasonably likely (and more likely than otherwise) that most other members of the profession will resist those pressures, too. A code prevents the engineer from acting to serve ➢ His/her self-interest ➢ Her/his selfless devotion to employer’s self-interest

Answer 2

➢ On August 10, 1978, a Ford Pinto was hit (25 mph) from behind on a highway in Indiana. The impact of the collision caused the Pinto’s fuel tank to rupture and burst into flames, leading to the deaths of three teenage girls riding the car. ➢ Ford was charged in a criminal court for the deaths of the passengers and found negligent. ➢ The gas tank design was flawed and was not in line with accepted engineering standards, even though it did meet applicable federal safety standards at the time. ➢ Ford engineers were aware of the dangers of this design. Following crash tests, the conclusion was that the rear end structure was not satisfactory. ➢ Ford figured they would kill 180 people with the pinto, which would cost them 49.5 million dollars. ➢ Suggested changes would have cost about $11 per car (12.5 million cars = $137 million). A confidential company memo directed that the safety features not be adopted at that time until required by law. ➢ Management concerned with getting the Pinto to market rapidly at a price competitive with others, had constrained the engineers to use the design.

Answer 3

The dilemma faced by the design engineers who worked on the Pinto was to balance ➢ the safety of the people who would be riding the car against ➢ the need to produce the Pinto at a price that would be competitive in the market. They had to attempt to balance ➢ their duty to the public against ➢ their duty to their employer

Answer 4

Radiation therapy machine in use from 1982- ➢ Software (computer) controlled, few hardware safety interlocks • Multiple design errors and safety mechanism failures ➢ One related to arithmetic overflow, which disabled safety interlock • Led to at least 6 radiation overdoses, 3 patients died Conclusions • Insufficient resources to develop software (1 engineer) • Insufficient testing, inappropriate reuse of prev-gen control software • Initial denial, slow reaction to reports of problems

Answer 5

➢ An engineer should offer services, advice or undertake professional assignments only in their areas of competence. ➢ This includes exercising care and communicating clearly when accepting or interpreting assignments and when setting expected outcomes. ➢ It also includes the responsibility to call for and to obtain the services of a specialist or an expert if required. If a certain technique, tool or software to be used is questionable, the experimental nature of the activity should be disclosed fully to all parties concerned. ➢ This requirement is not just about maintaining a proper standard of care, it actually involves honesty with one’s client or employer and oneself.

Answer 6

➢ Professional Engineer (PE) should therefore not sign documents such as specifications, reports etc unless he has actually prepared them or they are prepared under his direct supervision. ➢ A professional engineer shall not sign any plans or calculations that neither he nor any member of his staff under his supervision verified, checked or prepared. This is clearly stated in the Professional Engineers ( Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics) Rules.

Answer 7

This means that Singapore’s building control regime makes the basic assumption that a professional engineer acting as a Qualified Person, can be relied upon for his professional integrity and for his commitment to protect public interest and safety

Answer 8

➢ Originally Lian Yak Building, previously known as New Serangoon Hotel. Built in 1971 ➢ 36 reinforced concrete columns supporting 6 concrete floors ➢ 33 deaths, 17 survivors

Answer 9

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.

Answer 10

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.

Answer 11

A situation in which an engineer’s loyalties and | obligations may be compromised because of self-interest or other loyalties and obligations

Answer 12

1. Engineers shall not falsify their qualifications or permit misrepresentation of their or their associates' qualifications. 2. 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 of intent to influencing the awarding of a contract. They shall not offer any gift or other valuable consideration in order to secure work. 3. An ethical engineer should never attempt to deliberately deceive the customer/client

Answer 13

This trust bestows an honour and privileges on the professional engineer but at the same time, it also imposes legal and professional responsibilities on the professional engineer.

Answer 14

“Whistle-blowing” - the act of one who, believing that the public interest overrides the interest of the organisation he serves, publicly “blows the whistle” if the organisation is involved in corrupt, illegal, fraudulent, or harmful activity. Always the LAST RESORT, it indicates serious corporate culture problems.

Answer 15

``` ➢Incompetence ➢Criminal Behaviour ➢Unethical Policies ➢Threat to Public Safety or environment ➢Injustices to Workers ```

Answer 16

Internal Whistle-Blowing ➢ When an individual advocates beliefs or revelations within the organisation. External Whistle-Blowing ➢ When and individual advocates beliefs or revelations outside the organidation (proper authorities, media)

Answer 17

U.K. Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 Protected disclosures: ➢ making a qualifying disclosure made to the employer or through internal procedures, a prescribed person, a legal adviser or a Minister ➢ making a qualifying disclosure about an exceptionally serious failure ➢ making a qualifying disclosure more generally ➢ disclosure about health and safety matters

Answer 18

1. If the harm that will be done by the product to the public is serious and considerable 2. If they make their concerns known to their superiors 3. If getting no satisfaction from their immediate superiors, they exhaust the channels available within the corporation, including going to the board of directors. 4. They must have documented evidence that would convince a reasonable, impartial observer that their view of the situation is correct and the company policy wrong. Internal whistle blowing before external whistle blowing