Engineering Ethics

Adapted from Prof Lim Mong King (2016)

Updated by Dr Lum Kit Meng (2018)
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) Says . . .
“By the time of graduation, students will have an understanding
of professional and ethical responsibility”

ABET is a non-profit and non-governmental accrediting agency for academic

programs in the disciplines of applied science, computing, engineering, and
engineering technology.
ABET is a recognized accreditor in the United States by the Council for Higher
Education Accreditation.
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 Attributes of the Engineer of 2020

 Strong analytical skills.

 Practical ingenuity, creativity; innovator.
 Good communication skills.
 Business, management skills.
 High ethical standards, professionalism.
 Dynamic/agile/resilient/flexible.
 Lifelong learner. National Academy of Engineering
 Able to put problems in their
socio-technical and operational context.
 Adaptive leader.

Phase I: Imagining the future and the challenges it will present to engineering
Phase II: Considering how engineering education should prepare for that future

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 Engineer as a Professional
What is a Profession?

 Profession versus trade?

A profession is a vocation founded upon specialised
educational training, the purpose of which is to supply counsel
and service to others, for a direct and definite compensation

 A status symbol
Professions enjoy a high social status, regard and esteem
conferred upon them by society

 A profession is a group that

• claims special knowledge or expertise
• warrants special privileges and trust from the public

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 What is a Professional Engineer?

 Has a bachelor’s degree in engineering from an accredited school

 Performs engineering work
 Is a registered P.E. or given authority to certify work carried out
 Acts in a morally responsible way while practicing engineering

Ethics in an Engineering Course ????

We have been studying engineering, such as design, analysis, and
performance measurement.

Where does ethics fit in?

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 Products and Processes Have Consequences for Society
 If the bridge has an inadequate support, it will fail.
 If the gas tank is positioned too close to the bumper, it might
explode from a small accident.
 If a medical instrument isn’t accurate, improper doses of
medication can be given.
 If the process for refining gas produces too much toxins, it harms
the local community.
 If an aircraft is not maintained to airworthy standard, it may
crash.

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 The Essence of Your Engineering Career
Engineering is one of the most important professions in society.

• Build products such as cell phones, home appliances, heart valves,

bridges, & cars. In general they advance society by building new
technology.

• Develop processes such as the process to convert salt water into

fresh water or the process to recycle bottles. These processes change
how we live and what we can accomplish

 As engineers we don’t just build things and develop processes.

 We build things and make processes in order to improve life.

 In order to make society better we have to reflect constantly on the

products and processes that we make.

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 Two Dimensions of Ethics in Engineering
Ethics is part of engineering for two main reasons

 Engineers need to be socially responsible when building

products and processes for society. Social Responsibility
requires taking into consideration the needs of society.

 b) Social responsibility requires professional

responsibility (duties and obligations on us individually).

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 Technical and Ethical
Responsibilities of Engineers?

Most of an engineer’s education focuses on technical

matters, that is “how to do things right”, and most of
engineer’s professional practice is devoted to applying this
technical knowledge in service to the need of society.

However, another important element of both education and

practice involves ethics, or “how to do the right thing”.

E.g. Engineers are often placed into conflict situations – they

need to be able to resolve conflicts in an ethical manner.

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 Engineering Ethics
 Engineering is a profession serving society.
As such, society imposes special obligations on engineers.

 These responsibilities are expressed in a code of ethics which

all engineers (as other professionals) are expected to follow.

 Ethical responsibilities are placed on engineers because they

provide services or make judgments that are not easily
understood by the general public (because of their high
technical nature).

 Furthermore, the results of their work impact society as a

whole. Clients must trust an engineer’s professional judgment.

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 Interaction Rules of Behaviour

 Etiquette

 Law

 Morality

 Ethics

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 Etiquette

 Rules of acceptable personal behaviour and courtesy

when interacting with others in a social setting.

 Table manner, dress codes, seating arrangements,

party manner

 Violation doesn’t cause jail term,

but can hurt professionalism
 Law
 A system of rules and punishments clearly defined and
established by a society to maintain a safe and orderly
social environment

 Established by authority, society, or custom

 Violations carry penalties

 Could be arbitrary, such as drinking age

 Legal rights are “just claims” given to all human within

a government jurisdiction, and/or by constitution

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 Morality
 Personal rules of right and wrong behavior derived
from a person’s upbringing, religious beliefs, and
societal influences

 Cultural or religious; gambling, alcohol, meat, coffee,

cigarette, etc immoral?

 Morality – making choices with reasons (Ethics – the

study of HOW the choices are made)
e.g. Businessman Tan Choon Bock's philosophy was: “Money made
through the misery of others will harm my descendants.”
The lineage of Tan Choon Bock produced 2 Finance Ministers:
1 Dr. Goh Keng Swee, Singapore
2 Tun Tan Siew Sin, Malaysia
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 Ethics
 A code or system of rules defining moral behaviour for a
particular society.

 Ethics is the study of the morality of human actions.

 Professional ethics guide the conduct of a professional.

 Most professional societies have written codes of

ethics.
 One requires strength of character to behave in an
ethical manner.

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 Ethics vs. Law
Examples of the Categories

Legal & Moral Designing a system to be safe.

Legal & Immoral Making a domestic helper work long hours

without rest.

Illegal & Moral Parking in a no parking zone, to come to the aid

of an injured person

Illegal & Immoral Killing an innocent person.

There are actions that are legal but not ethical. . .

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 Recognizing & Resolving Ethical Dilemmas
The hijacked plane with 200 people is approaching
a complex facility with 50,000 people

Will you shoot the plane?

 A true moral dilemma

 Which position has the greatest weight in the circumstances?

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Ethical Dilemma

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 A Recurring Ethical Dilemma
Engineering commitment to safety
vs
All of the factors management must consider

“Is it time to take off your engineering hat and put on your
management hat?”
Ethical Problems are . . .

 Ethical problems are open-ended and there is no formula for an

answer
 These problems rarely have a correct answer that will be arrived
to by EVERYONE
 However, these problems are similar to Engineering Design

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 Professional Ethics
Who decides?

 Standards adopted by professional community and

established companies

 USA NSPE, Singapore Professional Engineers Board, etc.

Case studies often used to set examples, standards

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 PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS ACT
(CHAPTER 253, SECTION 36)

PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS (CODE OF PROFESSIONAL

CONDUCT AND ETHICS) RULES
A set of rules relating to the code of professional conduct
and ethics that applies to a registered professional
engineer, licensed corporation or partnership

Singapore Professional Engineers Board

A PE is governed mainly by the PE Act, the PE Rules as well as the
Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics.
When you become a PEB Board member, the PE Board Rules also
apply to you.

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PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS ACT (CHAPTER 253)
An Act to establish the Professional Engineers Board, to provide for
the registration of professional engineers, to regulate the
qualifications and conduct of professional engineers and to regulate
corporations, partnerships limited liability which supply professional
engineering services

 Engage in PE work
If you want to engage in PE work you must be a registered PE

 Supply PE services
If you want to supply or offer to supply PE services as an individual,
you must be a registered PE on your own or as partner in a
partnership ( licensed partnership, LLP or partnership of all PEs)

Other than that, only licensed corporation or limited liability

partnership can supply or offer to supply PE services

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 PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS ACT
Key Areas

 Establishment of the Professional Engineers Board

 Registration of professional engineers
 Licensing of corporations, partnerships, limited
liability partnerships (LLP)
 Regulating conduct of professional engineers

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 Registering to be a Professional Engineer
How to be a Professional Engineer?

Register with PEB

1. Qualification Hold an approved degree or qualification
2. Experience 4 Years of relevant practical experience
3. Examinations a. Fundamentals of Engineering Exam( FEE)
b. Professional Practice Exams (PPE)
4. Interview

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 Examinations
Fundamentals of Engineering Exam FEE
which tests the applicant’s knowledge of fundamental engineering
subjects in civil, electrical or mechanical engineering

Professional Practice Examination PPE

which tests the applicant’s in 2 areas:

1. Ability to apply knowledge and experience in professional

engineering practice.

2. Knowledge of the rules and regulations in the practice of

professional engineering in civil, electrical or mechanical
engineering.

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 PPE Examination – Common Paper

This is a common paper which has 6 questions comprising:

• 1 on the Professional Engineers Act and

• 5 on Professional Conduct and Ethics

Candidates are required to answer 4 questions during the 2-

hour examination period. The candidates must answer the
only question on the Professional Engineers Act which is
compulsory and can choose to answer 3 out of the 5
questions on Professional Conduct and Ethics

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 USA National Society of Professional Engineers
NSPE Code of Ethics
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.

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 USA National Society of Professional Engineers NSPE
Code of Ethics
Fundamental principles
1. Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of public
2. Perform services in area of competency
3. Issue public statement in an objective and truthful
manner
4. Act for employer or client as a faithful agent and
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.

Based upon these fundamental principles, various engineering

societies develop their own (usually more specific) codes of ethics
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 What is the Paramountcy Principle?

NSPE Code of Ethics

Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall:
Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public.

ABET Code of Ethics for Engineers

Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare
of the public in the performance of their professional duties.

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 Public Interests
This means that an engineer must hold paramount the
safety, health and welfare of the public.

This principle overrides all other considerations.

Much of the work in the construction industry, especially
heavy construction work, carry risks to public safety,
health and welfare.

Laws and regulations are put in place to minimize these

risks.

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 Why Isn’t Conscience Enough?
What would it be like to be an engineer if
“engineers did not generally hold paramount the
safety, health, and welfare of the public”?

What if the client or employer would benefit from ignoring

the code ?
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
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 Case 1 : Ford Pinto
 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. 32
 Case 1 : Ford Pinto
 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.
Were the decisions made unethical? 33
 The Horror of Bad Ethics

Since the cost of the projected law suits was less than the
cost of making the car safe. Ford made the death trap.

In the end though just one lawsuit against the company

cost Ford 128 million dollars. Also the Pinto ruined the
reputation of Ford.

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Case 1 : Ford Pinto
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.

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 Solution to Ethical Dilemma

Engineering commitment to safety

vs
All of the factors management must consider

We’ve frequently seen that ethical dilemmas often appear

as a hard choice. You have to choose between the lesser
of two evils.

However, good ethical reasoning arrives at a ‘creative

solution’ which satisfies both the obligations that are
pressing on the decision-makers.

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 Case 2 : Therac-25

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

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 Duplicate
USA National Society of Professional Engineers
NSPE Code of Ethics
Fundamental principles
1. Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of public
2. Perform services in area of competence
3. Issue public statement in an objective and truthful manner
4. Act for employer or client as a faithful agent and trustees
5. Avoid deceptive acts
6. Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically and
lawfully so as to enhance the honour, reputation and
usefulness of the profession.

Based upon these fundamental principles, various engineering societies

develop their own (usually more specific) codes of ethics

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 Area of Competence
 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.

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 Signing Plans

 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.

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 A Qualified Person

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

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 Case 3 : Hotel New World Disaster, 15 Mar 1986
新世界酒店坍塌事件
 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

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Hotel New World Disaster

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Hotel New World Disaster

Architect's plans for the building were drawn up by an

unqualified draughtsman, Leong Shui Lung
 Duplicate
USA National Society of Professional Engineers
NSPE Code of Ethics

1. Fundamental principles Hold paramount the safety, health and

welfare of public
2. Perform services in area of competency
3. Issue public statement in an objective and truthful manner
4. Act for employer or client as a faithful agent and 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.

Based upon these fundamental principles, various engineering

societies develop their own (usually more specific) codes of ethics

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To be honest and realistic in stating claims or
estimates based on available data

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 Duplicate
USA National Society of Professional Engineers
NSPE Code of Ethics
1. Fundamental principles Hold paramount the safety,
health and welfare of public
2. Perform services in area of competency
3. Issue public statement in an objective and truthful
manner
4. Act for employer or client as a faithful agent and
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.

Based upon these fundamental principles, various engineering

societies develop their own (usually more specific) codes of ethics
47
 A Faithful Agent and 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.

Engineers shall reject bribery in all its forms

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 Conflict of Interest

e.g. you are purchasing agent and your wife’s firm is

applying for a contract, you better avoid the situation or
declare

 A situation in which an engineer’s loyalties and

obligations may be compromised because of self-interest
or other loyalties and obligations

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 Duplicate
USA National Society of Professional Engineers
NSPE Code of Ethics
1. Fundamental principles Hold paramount the safety,
health and welfare of public
2. Perform services in area of competency
3. Issue public statement in an objective and truthful
manner
4. Act for employer or client as a faithful agent and
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.

Based upon these fundamental principles, various engineering

societies develop their own (usually more specific) codes of ethics
50
 Avoid Deceptive Acts ??
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

e.g. An ethical and professional engineer must be familiar with the

scientific and engineering principles underlying any opinions or
conclusions that he/she provides to the customer.

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Volkswagen called them “clean diesels,” branding them as the fun-
to-drive alternatives to hybrids as it dominated the U.S. market for
the engine technology. VW Scandal
Turns out the increasingly eco-conscious buyers of the sporty
German cars have been unwittingly pumping smog into the air —
because of software VW installed to cheat on U.S. emissions tests.

VW’s software trick allows the cars to emit up to 40 times the

legally allowed amount of nitrogen oxide, environmental officials
said..

An owner of a 2012 VW diesel Jetta station wagon: “Not only lying

to the government, but also lying to your consumer. People buy
diesel cars from VW because they feel they are clean diesel cars.”

The automaker will have to recall all the vehicles and modify the
emissions systems at its own expense, regulators said.
Additionally it could face a fine of about $18 billion, or $37,500 per
car, federal environmental officials said. 52
 Duplicate
USA National Society of Professional Engineers
NSPE Code of Ethics
1. Fundamental principles Hold paramount the safety,
health and welfare of public
2. Perform services in area of competency
3. Issue public statement in an objective and truthful
manner
4. Act for employer or client as a faithful agent and
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.

Based upon these fundamental principles, various engineering

societies develop their own (usually more specific) codes of ethics
53
 … to enhance the honor, reputation and usefulness of
the profession =) Trust

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.

Trust comes with Responsibilites

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 Whistle-Blowing

“Whistle-blowing” - the act of one who, believing that the

public interest overrides the interest of the organization
he serves, publicly “blows the whistle” if the organization
is involved in corrupt, illegal, fraudulent, or harmful
activity.

Always the LAST RESORT, it indicates serious corporate

culture problems.

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 Examples of Problems that Might Warrant
Whistle-Blowing

Incompetence
Criminal Behavior
Unethical Policies
Threat to Public Safety or environment
Injustices to Workers

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 Types of Whistle-Blowing

Internal Whistle-Blowing External Whistle-Blowing

 When an individual  When and individual
advocates beliefs or advocates beliefs or
revelations within the revelations outside the
organization. organization (proper
authorities, media).

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Laws Protecting Whistle Blowers 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

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 Example of Whistle Blowing

Goldstein was a supervisor employed by EBASCO, which was a major

contractor for the construction of Houston Lighting and Power
Company's South Texas Project (a complex of two nuclear power plants).

In the summer of 1985, Goldstein identified safety problems to

SAFETEAM, an internal compliance program established by EBASCO and
Houston Lighting, including noncompliance with safety procedures, the
failure to issue safety compliance reports, and quality control violations
affecting the safety of the plant.

After he filed his report to SAFETEAM, Goldstein was fired.

After Goldstein lost his case, Congress amended the federal nuclear
whistleblower law to provide protection reports made to internal
systems and prevent retaliation against whistleblowers.

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 Moral Guidelines to External Whistle-Blowing
It is morally permissible for engineers to engage in external whistle-
blowing concerning safety:

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.

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 Big Picture
 Codes of ethics are not a law
 Ethical behavior is not always protected by law
 Frequently ethical behavior may be perceived as
disloyalty
 Many companies realize that ethical behavior is
essential for their long term prosperity
• Ethically-aware companies providing help to
employees facing ethical conflicts
• Allow employees to raise ethical concerns
anonymously
• Explicitly prevent any forms of retaliation for
reporting unethical behavior

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Ethics is the cornerstone of
Our reputation at TI depends upon all of the decisions we make and all
the actions we take personally each day. Our values define how we will
evaluate our decisions and actions and how we will conduct our
business. We are working in a difficult, demanding, ever-changing
business environment.

Together, we are building a work environment on the foundation of

integrity, innovation and commitment. Together, we are moving our
company into a new century one good decision at a time. Our high
standards have rewarded us with an enviable reputation in today's
marketplace: a reputation of integrity, honesty and trustworthiness.
That strong ethical reputation is a vital asset, and each of us shares a
personal responsibility to protect, preserve and enhance it. Our
reputation is a strong, but silent partner in all business relationships.
By understanding and applying the values presented here, each of us
can say to ourselves and to others, "TI is a good company and one
reason is that I am a part of it.
"Know what's right. Value what's right. Do what's right.” 62
Example : TI Ethics Quick Test
 Is the action legal?
 Does it comply with our values?
 If you do it, will you feel bad?
 How will it look in the newspaper?
 If you know it's wrong, don't do it!
 If you're not sure, ask.
 Keep asking until you get an answer.

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 Summary
Engineering professional goals or virtues, such
as protecting public safety and client and
employee honesty, lead to the trust and
progress of the engineering profession.

• Ethical problem solving, whether personal or professional,

strives to find a creative ways to reconcile conflicting goals.
• Code of ethics is not a legally binding document. It is not
something that we want engineers to memorize. It is
something we want engineers to understand and be able
to live by as engineers. However, in the beginning knowing
the code is a guide to understanding how to apply it.
• Ethical behavior is about practice and virtue. It is about
going beyond the codes, and practicing behavior that leads
to an ethical life.
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