NSPE Code of Ethics
Date
Team #
Team Name
Team Members Present
For your assigned case indicate:
1. Stake Holders
2. The particular codes that applies and briefly explain why.
3. Present your case to the class
Team 1
Stephanie Simon knew Environmental Manager Adam Baines would not be pleased with her report on the chemical spill.
The data clearly indicated that the spill was large enough that regulations required it to be reported to the state. Stephanie
perceived Adam to be someone who thinks industry is over-regulated, especially in the environmental area. At the same
time, he prided himself as a major player in maintaining XYZ's public reputation as an environmental leader in the
chemical industry. "We do a terrific job," he often said. "And we don't need a bunch of hard to read, difficult to interpret,
easily misunderstood state regulations to do it. We got along just fine before the regulators ran wild, and we're doing fine
now."
When Stephanie presented her report to Adam, he lost his temper. "This is ridiculous! We're not going to send anything
like this to the state. A few gallons over the limit isn't worth the time it's going to take to fill out those damned forms. I can't
believe you'd submit a report like this. Stephanie, go back to your desk and rework those numbers until it comes out right.
I don't want to see any more garbage like this."
What should Stephanie do?
Options
Engineers, in the
fulfillment of their
professional duties, shall:
1
Hold paramount the
safety, health, and welfare
of the public.
2
Perform services only in
areas of their competence.
3
Issue public statements
only in an objective and
truthful manner.
4
Act for each employer or
client as faithful agents or
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.
NSPE Code of Ethics
Date
Team #
Team Name
Team Members Present
For your assigned case indicate:
1. Stake Holders
2. The particular codes that applies and briefly explain why.
3. Present your case to the class
Teams 2
Richard Roe, P.E., is the principal stockholder of Roe Engineering Consultants, Inc. Roe Engineering Consultants, Inc.,
owns all of the stock and assets of the Ajax Construction Co., Inc.
The Roe engineering firm is retained to design a project, and also to provide professional services during the construction
phase to ascertain that the project is built in accordance with the plans and specifications, including approval of changes
required due to conditions encountered during construction. Following the preparation of the plans and specifications by
the Roe firm, public bids are taken for the construction.
Would it be ethical for Roe to allow Ajax to bid on the construction contract?
Options
Engineers, in the
fulfillment of their
professional duties, shall:
1
Hold paramount the
safety, health, and welfare
of the public.
2
Perform services only in
areas of their competence.
3
Issue public statements
only in an objective and
truthful manner.
4
Act for each employer or
client as faithful agents or
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.
NSPE Code of Ethics
Date
Team #
Team Name
Team Members Present
For your assigned case indicate:
1. Stake Holders
2. The particular codes that applies and briefly explain why.
3. Present your case to the class
Teams 3
Engineer A, a principal in an engineering firm which had performed work for a local water district,
gave Engineer B, the executive director of the water district, a hunting rifle. This fact was reported
in the local newspaper, quoting other public officials in the community to the effect that it was
improper for the executive director to keep the rifle in light of the relationship between the water
district and Engineer A. One of the quoted officials commented that he did not object to small
personal gifts, but it was "inappropriate" to keep an "expensive" rifle, noting that the executive
director had "considerable influence" in the award of contracts. The cost of the rifle was not given,
but local engineers who raised the question from the standpoint of engineering ethics estimated
its retail value at $500.
1. Was it ethical for Engineer A to give a public official of an agency with whom he has had
contractual relations a personal gift, as described?
2. Was it ethical for Engineer B to accept the gift of Engineer A?
Options
Engineers, in the
fulfillment of their
professional duties, shall:
1
Hold paramount the
safety, health, and welfare
of the public.
2
Perform services only in
areas of their competence.
3
Issue public statements
only in an objective and
truthful manner.
4
Act for each employer or
client as faithful agents or
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.
NSPE Code of Ethics
Date
Team #
Team Name
Team Members Present
For your assigned case indicate:
1. Stake Holders
2. The particular codes that applies and briefly explain why.
3. Present your case to the class
Teams 4
Dan Dorset had been looking forward to this trip for weeks. Once he was assigned to help
Rancott install its equipment for Boulding, Inc., he arranged his vacation at a nearby ski resort.
The installation would be completed on the 12th, and his vacation would begin on the 13th--a full
week of skiing with three of his old college buddies.
Unfortunately, not all of Rancott's equipment arrived on time. Eight of the ten identical units were
installed by mid-morning on the 12th. Even if the remaining two units had arrived that morning, it
would have taken another full day to install them. However, Dan was informed that it might take
as long as two more days for the units to arrive.
"Terrific," Dan sighed, "there goes my vacation--and all the money I put down for the condo."
"No problem," replied Boulding engineer, Jerry Taft. Jerry had worked side-by-side with Dan as
each of the first eight units was installed. "I can handle this for you. We did the first eight together.
It's silly for you to have to hang around and blow your vacation." Jerry knew why Rancott had
sent Dan to supervise the installation of his firm's new equipment. Rancott's equipment had to be
properly installed in order to avoid risking serious injuries to those who use the equipment. For
years Rancott trusted its clients to follow the carefully stated directions for installation. But several
recent accidents were directly traceable to failure to follow proper installation procedures. It was
now Rancott's policy to send one of its engineers to supervise all installations. Dan was confident
that Jerry was as fully capable as he to supervise the installation of the remaining two units.
What should Dan do?
Options
Engineers, in the
fulfillment of their
professional duties, shall:
1
Hold paramount the
safety, health, and welfare
of the public.
2
Perform services only in
areas of their competence.
3
Issue public statements
only in an objective and
truthful manner.
4
Act for each employer or
client as faithful agents or
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.
THEORY MODEL
Date
Team #
Team Name
1.
2.
3.
4.
Team Members Present
State the Dilemma
Identify Stakeholders
Present Options
Choose your course of action
General
It is proposed that your company dispose of a slightly hazardous waste by dumping it
into a canal under South Florida Water Management District. A nearby city (Sweetwater)
takes its drinking water supply from this canal. Your research shows that with the
amount of waste you plan to put into the canal, the average concentration of the waste in
the canal will be 5 parts per million (ppm). The EPA limit for this material has been set at
10 ppm. At the 5-ppm level, we expect no health problems, and consumers would not be
able to detect the compound in their drinking water.
The decision is on your team hands and as you already have a connection to the canal
you could even do it unnoticed.
What would you do?
Options
1
UTILTARIANISM
2
EGOISM
3
Kantian Ethics
4
Rights Ethics
Total