Engineering 10
Chp.15
Engineering Ethics
Bruce Mayer, PE
Licensed Electrical & Mechanical Engineer
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu
Engineering-10: Intro to Engineering
1
Bruce Mayer, PE
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu • ENGR-10_Lec-21_Chp15_Engineering_Ethics.ppt
ReCall The Nature of Ethics
 Ethics is generally concerned with rules
or guidelines for morals and/or socially
approved conduct
 Ethical standards
generally apply to
conduct that can or
does have a
substantial effect
on people’s lives
Engineering-10: Intro to Engineering
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Bruce Mayer, PE
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu • ENGR-10_Lec-21_Chp15_Engineering_Ethics.ppt
Models for Ethical Practice
1. Malpractice,
or Minimalist,
Model
2. Reasonable-Care,
or Due-Care,
Model
3. Good Works
Model
Engineering-10: Intro to Engineering
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Bruce Mayer, PE
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu • ENGR-10_Lec-21_Chp15_Engineering_Ethics.ppt
MalPractice/Minimalist Model
 The minimalist model holds that the
professional is concerned only with
meeting standards and requirements of
the profession and any other laws or
codes that apply.
 This model looks to find fault when
problems or accidents arise from
someone's failure to meet a stated
requirement; a “By-the-Book” Model
Engineering-10: Intro to Engineering
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Bruce Mayer, PE
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu • ENGR-10_Lec-21_Chp15_Engineering_Ethics.ppt
Due-Care Model
 A model of engineering practice in
which the engineer is expected to take
reasonable precautions, or care, in the
practice of his profession.
 This model strives to prevent harm, and
it appeals to a "standard of
reasonableness as seen by a normal,
prudent NONprofessional.“
 A “Do-No-Harm” Model
Engineering-10: Intro to Engineering
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Bruce Mayer, PE
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu • ENGR-10_Lec-21_Chp15_Engineering_Ethics.ppt
Good Works Model
 A model of engineering practice in
which engineers go beyond the
basics of what is required by
standards and codes and do what
they "ought" to do to improve
product safety,
social health
or social
well-being.
Engineering-10: Intro to Engineering
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Bruce Mayer, PE
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu • ENGR-10_Lec-21_Chp15_Engineering_Ethics.ppt
Ethical/Moral Dilemmas
 Ethical Issues are Seldom Black&White
 Conflicting Demands on the Professional
• Loyalty to Company & Colleagues
• Concern for Public Welfare
• Personal or Family gain, Ambition
• Person Integrity
 Ethical standards are usually relative and
personal, there is seldom an absolutely
correct application of the standards
Engineering-10: Intro to Engineering
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Bruce Mayer, PE
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu • ENGR-10_Lec-21_Chp15_Engineering_Ethics.ppt
Example  Ethical Dilemma
 KickBacks
• A County Engineer in Vermont demanded a 25%
kickback in secret payments for highway work
contracts he issued. In 1973 he made such an
offer to Kevin Nalla, a 32 year old civil engineer
who was vice president of a young and struggling
consulting firm greatly in need of the work. Nalla
discussed the offer with others in the firm, who told
him it was his decision to make. Finally Nalla
agreed to the deal, citing as a main reason his
concern for getting sufficient work to retain his
current employees.
– Was he Right or Wrong?
Engineering-10: Intro to Engineering
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Bruce Mayer, PE
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu • ENGR-10_Lec-21_Chp15_Engineering_Ethics.ppt
Example  Ethical Dilemma
 OverOptimism & MortgagePayment
• You work for an Industrial Products Company. Currently
business is slow, and if activity does not pick you may lose
your Job and the Ability to Pay your Mortgage
• An Engineer from General Motors (another struggling
company) inquires about your products. He says GM will
make a large purchase IF the product performs at the 93%
Level when you Deliver the product in 7 months
• You know that you have NEVER made a machine that
did better than 88% performance. You think to yourself
“I SHOULD be able to reach 93% in 7 months”
• The GM Engineer’s job depends on your product meeting
the 93% requirement. Any Doubt will KILL the order.
– What do you say to the GM Engineer?
Engineering-10: Intro to Engineering
9
Bruce Mayer, PE
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu • ENGR-10_Lec-21_Chp15_Engineering_Ethics.ppt
¿¿¿ Class Question ???

Has anyone Personally Observed any
Ethical Dilemmas at their Place of
Employment?
•
If so, then Please Elaborate on the
Situation (withOUT Names of Course)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Engineering-10: Intro to Engineering
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Bruce Mayer, PE
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu • ENGR-10_Lec-21_Chp15_Engineering_Ethics.ppt
Engineering Codes of Ethics
 Codes of Ethics Provides truly
“Professional” Engineers with a
FrameWork for making good
Decisions when confronted with
Ethically Murky
Situations as
described in the
last two examples
Engineering-10: Intro to Engineering
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Bruce Mayer, PE
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu • ENGR-10_Lec-21_Chp15_Engineering_Ethics.ppt
Ethics Code(s) Limitations
 Many engineering design decisions may be
based upon interpretation of disputed or
incomplete information. In addition, tradeoffs
revolving around competing issues of risk vs.
benefit, or safety vs. economics may require
judgments that are not fully addressed simply
by application of the code.
 No code can give immediate and absolute
answers to all ethical and professional
problems that an engineer may face. Creative
problem solving is often called for in ethics,
just as it is in other areas of engineering.
Engineering-10: Intro to Engineering
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Bruce Mayer, PE
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu • ENGR-10_Lec-21_Chp15_Engineering_Ethics.ppt
NCEES Code
 There are Several Versions of Engineering
Codes of Ethics
• ASME Code
• NSPE Code
• ABET (old ECPD) Code
 Examine in More Detail
• NCEES Model Rules of Professional Conduct
– NCEES ≡ National Council of Examiners for
Engineering and Surveying
Engineering-10: Intro to Engineering
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Bruce Mayer, PE
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu • ENGR-10_Lec-21_Chp15_Engineering_Ethics.ppt
NCEES Code Structure


As part of his/her responsibility to the
public, an engineer is responsible for
knowing and abiding by the code
The three major sections of the model
rules address
1. Engineer's Obligations to Society,
2. Engineer's Obligations to Employers,
Customers, and Clients,
3. Engineer's Obligations to Other Engineers
Engineering-10: Intro to Engineering
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Bruce Mayer, PE
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu • ENGR-10_Lec-21_Chp15_Engineering_Ethics.ppt
NCEES Model for Conduct
 Engineers shall recognize their responsibility
to the public and shall represent themselves
before the public only in an objective and
truthful manner.
 They shall avoid conflicts of interest and
faithfully serve the legitimate interests of their
employers, clients, and customers within the
limits defined by these rules. Their
professional reputation shall be built on
the merit of their services, and they shall not
compete unfairly with others
Engineering-10: Intro to Engineering
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Bruce Mayer, PE
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu • ENGR-10_Lec-21_Chp15_Engineering_Ethics.ppt
NCEES Model for Conduct
1. Engineer’s Obligation To Society
a. in the performance of their services for clients,
employers, and customers, the Engineer’s first &
foremost responsibility is to the public welfare
b. Engineers shall approve and seal only those
design documents that conform to accepted
engineering standards and safeguard the life,
health, property, and welfare of the public.
c. Engineers shall notify their employer or client and
such other authority as may be appropriate when
their professional judgment is OVERRULED
under circumstances where the life, health,
property, or welfare of the public is endangered.
Engineering-10: Intro to Engineering
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Bruce Mayer, PE
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu • ENGR-10_Lec-21_Chp15_Engineering_Ethics.ppt
NCEES Model for Conduct
1. Engineer’s Obligation To Society
d. 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.
e. Engineers shall express a professional opinion
publicly only when it is founded upon an
adequate knowledge of the facts and a
competent evaluation of the subject matter.
f. Engineers shall issue no statements, criticisms, or
arguments on technical matters which are inspired
or paid for by interested parties, unless they
explicitly identify the interested parties on whose
behalf they are speaking and reveal any interest
they have in the matters.
Engineering-10: Intro to Engineering
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Bruce Mayer, PE
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu • ENGR-10_Lec-21_Chp15_Engineering_Ethics.ppt
NCEES Model for Conduct
1. Engineer’s Obligation To Society
g. Engineers shall not permit the use of their name
or firm name by, nor associate in the business
ventures with, any person or firm which is engaging
in fraudulent or dishonest business or
professional practices.
h. Engineers having knowledge of possible
violations of any of these Rules of Professional
Conduct shall provide the board with the
information and assistance necessary to make
the final determination of such violation.
Engineering-10: Intro to Engineering
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Bruce Mayer, PE
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu • ENGR-10_Lec-21_Chp15_Engineering_Ethics.ppt
NCEES Model for Conduct
2. Obligations To Employer and Clients
a. Engineers shall undertake assignments only
when qualified by education or experience in
the specific technical fields of engineering
involved.
b. Engineers shall not affix their signatures or
seals to any plans or documents dealing with
subject matter in which they lack
competence, nor to any such plan or
document not prepared under their direct
control and personal supervision.
Engineering-10: Intro to Engineering
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Bruce Mayer, PE
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu • ENGR-10_Lec-21_Chp15_Engineering_Ethics.ppt
NCEES Model for Conduct
2. Obligations To Employer and Customers
c. Engineers may accept assignments for
coordination of an entire project, provided
that each design segment is signed and
sealed by the Engineer responsible for
preparation of that design segment
d. Engineers shall not reveal facts, data, or
information obtained in a professional
capacity without the prior consent of the
customer or employer except as authorized
or required by law
Engineering-10: Intro to Engineering
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Bruce Mayer, PE
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu • ENGR-10_Lec-21_Chp15_Engineering_Ethics.ppt
NCEES Model for Conduct
2. Obligations To Employer and Clients
e. Engineers shall not solicit or accept
financial or other valuable consideration,
directly or indirectly, from contractors, their
agents, or other parties in connection with
work for employers or clients.
f. Engineers shall make full prior disclosures
to their employers or clients of potential
conflicts of interest or other circumstances
which could influence or appear to influence
their judgment or the quality of their service
Engineering-10: Intro to Engineering
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Bruce Mayer, PE
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu • ENGR-10_Lec-21_Chp15_Engineering_Ethics.ppt
NCEES Model for Conduct
2. Obligations To Employer and Customers
g. Engineers shall not accept compensation,
financial or otherwise, from more than one
party for services pertaining to the same
project, unless the
circumstances
are fully disclosed
and agreed to by
all interested
parties
Engineering-10: Intro to Engineering
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Bruce Mayer, PE
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu • ENGR-10_Lec-21_Chp15_Engineering_Ethics.ppt
NCEES Model for Conduct
2. Obligations To Employer and Clients
h. Engineers shall not solicit or accept a
professional contract from a governmental
body on which a principal or officer of their
organization serves as a member. Conversely,
Engineers serving as members, advisors, or
employees of a government body or
department, who are the principals or
employees of a private concern, shall not
participate in decisions with respect to
professional services offered or provided by
said concern to the governmental body
which they serve
Engineering-10: Intro to Engineering
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Bruce Mayer, PE
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu • ENGR-10_Lec-21_Chp15_Engineering_Ethics.ppt
NCEES Model for Conduct
3. Engineer’s Obligation to Other Engineers
a. Engineers shall not falsify or permit
misrepresentation of their associates,
academic or professional qualifications.
They shall not misrepresent or exaggerate
their degree of responsibility in prior
assignments nor the complexity of said
assignments. Employment or Business
Presentations shall not misrepresent
pertinent facts concerning employers,
employees, associates, joint ventures, or
past accomplishments
Engineering-10: Intro to Engineering
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Bruce Mayer, PE
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu • ENGR-10_Lec-21_Chp15_Engineering_Ethics.ppt
NCEES Model for Conduct
3. Engineer’s Obligation to Other Engineers
b. Engineers shall not offer, give, solicit, or
receive, either directly or indirectly, any
commission, or gift, or other valuable
consideration in order to secure work,
and shall not make any political contribution
with the intent to influence the award of a
contract by
public authority
Engineering-10: Intro to Engineering
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Bruce Mayer, PE
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu • ENGR-10_Lec-21_Chp15_Engineering_Ethics.ppt
NCEES Model for Conduct
3. Engineer’s Obligation to Other Engineers
c. Engineers shall not attempt to injure,
maliciously or falsely, directly or indirectly,
the professional reputation, prospects,
practice, or employment of other Engineers,
nor indiscriminately
criticize the work
of other Engineers
Engineering-10: Intro to Engineering
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Bruce Mayer, PE
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu • ENGR-10_Lec-21_Chp15_Engineering_Ethics.ppt
NCEES Model Summarized
1. Engineer’s Obligation To Society
a. Public Welfare is MOST important
b. Designs Must be SAFE
c. MUST report when over-ruled judgment
endangers Public Welfare or Safety
d. Be HONEST in Reporting & Testimony
e. Do NOT Guess or Speculate when
offering “Professional Opinions”
f. Do NOT take Bribes for Opinions
Engineering-10: Intro to Engineering
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Bruce Mayer, PE
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu • ENGR-10_Lec-21_Chp15_Engineering_Ethics.ppt
NCEES Model Summarized
1. Engineer’s Obligation To Society
g. Do NOT associate with Dishonest
Organizations or Persons
h. MUST CoOperate with Investigating
Bodies on Matters of Professional
Conduct
2. Obligation To Employer & Clients
a. ONLY take Assignments for Which the
Engineer has adequate Qualifications
Engineering-10: Intro to Engineering
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Bruce Mayer, PE
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu • ENGR-10_Lec-21_Chp15_Engineering_Ethics.ppt
NCEES Model Summarized
2. Obligation To Employer & Customers
b. Do NOT
i. Practice outside your Expertise
ii. Approve Unsupervised Work
c. May, as a “Project Manager”, delegate
work to other Qualified Engineers
d. MUST Respect Confidential Information
e. Must NOT take “KickBacks”
f.
Must DISCLOSE any Potential
Conflict(s) of Interest
Engineering-10: Intro to Engineering
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Bruce Mayer, PE
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu • ENGR-10_Lec-21_Chp15_Engineering_Ethics.ppt
NCEES Model Summarized
2. Obligation To Employer & Clients
g. NO Double-Dipping
h. NO divided loyalties between public &
private organizations → NO inside
Lobbying
3. Obligation to Other Engineers
a. Do NOT LIE on your Résumé
b. Do NOT offer BRIBES
c. Do NOT Malign Engineer’s Reputations
Engineering-10: Intro to Engineering
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Bruce Mayer, PE
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu • ENGR-10_Lec-21_Chp15_Engineering_Ethics.ppt
BMayer on “SLEAZE”
 SLEAZE is not a Strategy for
Long-Term Success
 If SomeThing seems
SLEAZY, then Stay
Away from it
Engineering-10: Intro to Engineering
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Bruce Mayer, PE
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu • ENGR-10_Lec-21_Chp15_Engineering_Ethics.ppt
All Done for Today
Responsibility
to
Employers
 Consistent Effort
 Collegiality
 Loyalty
 Respect for
authority
 Confidentiality
 Employers are just
PEOPLE – They
deserve Respect
Engineering-10: Intro to Engineering
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 Avoid conflicts of
interest
 Act as faithful agent
Bruce Mayer, PE
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu • ENGR-10_Lec-21_Chp15_Engineering_Ethics.ppt
Engineering 10
Appendix
f x   2 x  7 x  9 x  6
3
2
Bruce Mayer, PE
Licensed Electrical & Mechanical Engineer
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu
Engineering-10: Intro to Engineering
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Bruce Mayer, PE
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu • ENGR-10_Lec-21_Chp15_Engineering_Ethics.ppt
ASME Code of Ethics


The Fundamental Principles
Engineers uphold and advance the integrity, honor, and dignity of the
Engineering profession by:
•
•
•

The Fundamental Canons
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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I. using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of human welfare;
II. being honest and impartial, and serving with fidelity the public, their employers and
clients; and
III. striving to increase the competence and prestige of the engineering profession.
1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public in the
performance of their professional duties.
2. Engineers shall perform services only in areas of their competence.
3. Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their careers and
shall provide opportunities for the professional development of those engineers under
their supervision.
4. Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful
agents or trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of interest.
5. Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their services and
shall not compete unfairly with others.
6. Engineers shall associate only with reputable persons or organizations.
7. Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
NOTE THAT THE ASME ADDS A STATEMENT OF FIVE TIME THIS LENGTH TITLED
"THE ASME CRITERIA FOR INTERPRETATION OF THE CANONS" Last updated
96/01/22
Engineering-10: Intro to Engineering
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Bruce Mayer, PE
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu • ENGR-10_Lec-21_Chp15_Engineering_Ethics.ppt
ABET Code of Ethics of Engineers
 1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of
the public in the performance of their professional duties.
 2. Engineers shall perform services only in the areas of their
competence.
 3. Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and
truthful manner.
 4. Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or
client as faithful agents or trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of interest.
 5. Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of
their services and shall not compete unfairly with others.
 6. Engineers shall act in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the
honor, integrity, and dignity of the profession.
 7. Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout
their careers and shall provide opportunities for the professional
development of those engineers under their supervision.
Engineering-10: Intro to Engineering
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Bruce Mayer, PE
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu • ENGR-10_Lec-21_Chp15_Engineering_Ethics.ppt
IEEE Code of Ethics

We, the members of the IEEE, in recognition of the importance of our technologies in affecting the
quality of life throughout the world, and in accepting a personal obligation to our profession, its
members and the communities we serve, do hereby commit ourselves to the highest ethical and
professional conduct and agree:

to accept responsibility in making engineering decisions consistent with the safety, health and welfare
of the public, and to disclose promptly factors that might endanger the public or the environment;
to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest whenever possible, and to disclose them to affected
parties when they do exist;
to be honest and realistic in stating claims or estimates based on available data;
to reject bribery in all its forms;
to improve the understanding of technology, its appropriate application, and potential consequences;
to maintain and improve our technical competence and to undertake technological tasks for others
only if qualified by training or experience, or after full disclosure of pertinent limitations;
to seek, accept, and offer honest criticism of technical work, to acknowledge and correct errors, and to
credit properly the contributions of others;
to treat fairly all persons regardless of such factors as race, religion, gender, disability, age, or national
origin;
to avoid injuring others, their property, reputation, or employment by false or malicious action;
to assist colleagues and co-workers in their professional development and to support them in following
this code of ethics.
- Approved by the IEEE Board of Directors, August 1990
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Engineering-10: Intro to Engineering
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Bruce Mayer, PE
BMayer@ChabotCollege.edu • ENGR-10_Lec-21_Chp15_Engineering_Ethics.ppt