Chapter 11 -- Ethics and Public Relations

Engineers convince the public that are engineering solutions are worth implementing by convincing them that

societal benefits > costs, project protects public safety,engineers are competent to design/implement

Engineered Solution to Chicago Water and Sewage

reverse flow of Chicago river, make canal west of city to connect Chicago river to Illinois river, flush sewage out through canal using lake water

Deaths in the late 19th century early 20th century due to engineering failures reduced

publics confidence (2000+ boiler explosions 1880-1900, 502 railway bridge failures btwn 1878-1895)

R.B grover shoe factory disaster

accelerated calls for boiler safety codes, led Ma to enact ASME-supported boiler-inspection laws

Quebec River Bridge collapse

drove calls for professional standards (licensure and ethics codes), accident caused by unchecked miss calc. of bridge weight

NSPE

National Society of Professional Engineers

Benefits of a PE (professional Engineer) license

only PE can prepare/sign/seal/submit plans to public authorities, req. for consulting/private practitioners, on gov. contracts can supervise unlicensed engineers,

A PE license is most important for

engineers working on government agencies projects

4 requirements to become a PE

obtain 4 year engineering degree, pass FE Exam, gain 4 years of experience, and pass P & PE exam

(FE = Fund of Eng, P & PE = Princ & Pract of Eng)

List the order and year that the AIEE/ASME/ASCE/AICHE adopted codes of ethics

AIEE 1912

ASME 1914 (same codes as AIEE)

ASCE/AICHE 1915 (different codes)

1st fundamental cannon states that Engineers shall

Hold Paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public

in addition to main code, the first rule of practice states that

responsibility to report hazards & if ignored tell authority, don’t work with con men, protection to report even with NDA

2nd fundamental cannon states that Engineers shall

preform services only in their areas of expertise

in addition to main code, the 2nd rule of practice says to

only do stuff u know, don’t sign for things u don’t understand, other PE can sign for things u don’t know if your overseeing a project

3rd fundamental cannon states that Engineers shall

issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner

in addition to main code, the 3rd rule of practice says to

there is no “just trust me”, can express public opinions if u understand matter, don’t express paid opinions without disclosing

4th fundamental cannon states that Engineers shall

act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees

in addition to main code, the 4th rule of practice says to

disclose conflicts of interest, don’t get paid multiple times by diff. people for same work, only accept pay from employer

5th fundamental cannon states that Engineers shall

avoid deceptive acts

in addition to main cannon, the 5th rule of practice says to

don’t lie abt accomplishments, don’t take or give bribes

6th fundamental cannon states that Engineers shall

conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance honor, reputation, and usefulness of profession

(Would I want people to know that ____?)

the 6th fundamental cannon, the first professional obligation, includes 9 additional statements that engineers should

1. have great honesty/integrity

2. always strive to serve public interest’

3. avoid everything that deceives public

4. not disclose without consent confidential info.

5. not be influenced by conflicts of interest in duties

6. not get jobs/advance by belittling others

7. not injure reputations of other engineers

8. accept personal responsibility for their work

9. give credit to others when due