Engineering Ethics
Discussion not Lecture
 Ethics not Morals
 No person is perfect
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ASME Code of Ethics
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Engineering Ethics
How ? - THINK and TALK
 What ? - TRUTH
 Why ? - EASY
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ASME Code of Ethics
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ASME Code of Ethics of
Engineers
http://www.asme.org/asme/policies/pdf/p15_7.pdf
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The Fundamental Principles
The Fundamental Canons
Criteria for Interpretation of Canons
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The Fundamental Principles (3)
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Use knowledge and skill for
advancement of human welfare
Be honest and impartial, and serve with
fidelity
Increase the competence and prestige
of the profession
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The Fundamental Canons (9)
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Hold paramount safety, health, and welfare of
the public
Perform services only in areas of competence
Continue and promote professional and
ethical development
Act as faithful agents or trustees and avoid
conflict of interest
Build reputation on merit and not
compete unfairly
ASME Code of Ethics
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The Fundamental Canons
(continued)
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Associate only with reputable persons
and organizations
Issue only objective and truthful public
statements
Consider environmental impact
Consider sustainable development
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1. Safety, health, and welfare
of the public
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Recognize that live/safety/health/welfare
depend on engineering decisions
Approve only documents that are safe and
conform to standards
If over-ruled, inform client/employer of
consequences
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provide standards/codes/procedures
conduct reviews of safety and reliability
inform authority about public danger
Inform authority of ethical violations
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2. Only in areas of
competence
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When qualified by education or
experience
May work outside of their field but
restricted to area of competence
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3. Continue and promote
professional and ethical
development
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Life-long learning
Provide opportunities for supervisees
ASME Code of Ethics
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4. Faithful agents or trustees
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Avoid and disclose known conflicts of interest
Avoid potential conflicts of interest
Do not accept compensation, financial or
otherwise, from more than one party
Shall not solicit or accept considerations for
specifying products/materials/suppliers
Shall not solicit or accept considerations from
contractors
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4. Faithful agents or trustees
(continued)
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When in public service, shall not
participate in decisions involving their
firm
Do not solicit contracts from
government body if principal is
associated
Advise if a project may not be
successful
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4. Faithful agents or trustees
(continued)
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Confidential information
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do not disclose business affairs or
technical processes without consent or
unless required by law
do not disclose findings of board or
commission unless required by law
designs supplied by clients shall not be
duplicated without consent
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4. Faithful agents or trustees
(continued)
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Act with fairness and justice when
administering contracts
Enter in agreements regarding patents
and copyrights
Admit and accept their errors
Shall not accept outside professional
employment without notification
Shall not falsely recruit
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5. Build reputation on merit
and not compete unfairly
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Negotiate contracts based on demonstrated
competence at fair and reasonable prices
Shall not work on commission basis when
professional judgment may be compromised
Shall not misrepresent qualifications
Prepare article that are factual, dignified and
not ostentatious
Shall not falsely injure reputations
Do not use employer facilities for private
practice without consent
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6. Associate only with
reputable persons and
organizations
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Shall not associate with or permit use of
names by persons/firms engaged in
fraudulent or dishonest practices
Shall not use association with others to
disguise unethical acts
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7. Issue only objective and
truthful public statements
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Endeavor to extend public knowledge and
prevent misunderstandings
Be completely objective and truthful in
reports, statements or testimony
Express professional opinion founded only
upon adequate knowledge
Shall not issue paid statements without
identification of self/client/compensation
Dignified and modest in explaining their work
and merit
ASME Code of Ethics
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8. Consider environmental
impact
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Impact of plans and designs on
environment
Related to Canon 1
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9. Consider sustainable
development
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Meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs
Related to Canon 1
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10. ASME members agree to
abide by this Code of Ethics
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