THE ENGINEER AND ETHICS- SOME THOUGHTS IN THE PRACTICE OF ENGINEERING
REGINALD I. VACHON, Ph.D., PE, Eur. Ing
Introduction
The engineer is responsible for the health and safety of clients, society and the environment. As a
professional it is often that the sole decision of the engineer to design, consult, and advice. These
decisions are based on knowledge, education and maintaining competency in technical areas. Engineers
without question consider themselves to be ethical. This inner conviction is based on the experiences
and teachings gained during the progression from childhood to maturity. The teachings are based on
“rules” established by a culture to promote “what is fair and proper” and a tranquil society. The Code
of Hammurabi which preceded Mosaic code and other “codes” are used to establish laws which are in
many cases may be a minimum legal ethic. However, there are many engineering situations that require
more than a minimum legal ethic. The engineering profession has established standards of conduct.
This discussion presents in tabular form a number of ethical guidelines of some US engineering societies.
It is interesting to note that there is not agreement in every area and in some areas there are no
statements. This is because codes of ethics are based on situations that are encountered or
philosophical disagreement on what the guidance should be. Thus, the engineer is often in a situation
where he or she must reach out to others for ethical guidance. The engineer may be left with the task
of applying ethical principles to make a decision in an ethical dilemma. Ethical principles are based on
philosophical studies. Some of the ethical philosophical thinking is presented and then the chart on
ethics is presented.
Philosophy of Ethics
If we look at the definitions of
 Ethics is defined as the system or code of morals a particular philosopher, religion, group, or
profession.
 Morals are generally accepted standards of right and wrong/moral theory or moral theory or
moral philosophy –a set of abstract moral principles,
There is not much guidance. There are two basic models proposed to set the stage for ethical
discussion. These are the

Utilitarian Moral Standard – Those actions are right that produce the greatest total amount of
human well-being. This standard requires that 1.) The audience of the action or policy in
question who are affected for good or ill. 2.) The positive and negative effects of alternative
actions must be determined and 3.) A decision must be made on the course of action that
produces the greatest overall utility. The decision maker must know facts and may not know all
facts that are the bases for a decision. Some actions must be immediate such as closing and
maintaining closure of a water-tight door on a ship. Some lives will be lost but the majority on
board may be saved. Some facts may not be known contemporaneously. For example,
environmental effects may have wait for time to be known.

Respect for Person Moral Standard – Those actions are right that equally respect each human
person as moral agent. This standard always considers the preservation of life superior to other
considerations.
The engineer is a professional and the Respect for Person is the standard followed. Respect for Person
requires consideration by the engineer of the environment and society which translates into the
concepts of sustainability, honesty and anti-corruption. This series of articles will include a discussion of
ETHICANA which includes a video and workshop on anti-corruption which is available through UPADI.
The Professional
It is useful to review the attributes of a profession to place ethical considerations in context. There are
two views:
 Functional Theorist’s View- a profession is based on 1.) Specialized training of intellectual
character, 2.) Knowledge and skills vital to well-being of society, 3.) Monopoly of the provision
of professional services which insures services base on specialized knowledge, 4.) Autonomy to
select clients, 5.) Authority over clients and subordinate occupational groups, 5.) Regulated by
ethical standards/code of ethics, and 6.) Existing in symbiotic relationship with society. Further,
Society agrees to give professionals autonomy relative to 1.) Conditions of operation, 2.)
Licensing and self policing, 3.) accrediting educational programs, 4.) placing public above own
financial self-interests and maintain competence, and 5.) self policing and regulating based on
a code of ethics.
 Conflict Theorist’s View is society is an arena of conflict/social institutions vie for dominance
both economic which involves control over a market sector and power - a profession is based
on establishing monopoly over a set of services by 1.) adopting specialized terminology , 2.)
promoting licensure, 3.) suppressing advertising and competitive pricing, and 4.)limiting supply
of professionals by high admission standards.
These two theories collide in the real world and the engineer must deal with ethical problems. These
problems arise as follows: 1.) the engineer violates an ethical standard or law, 2.) the engineer fails to
protest use of a design or procedure that could result in harm to health, safety or well-being of public,
3.) the engineer attempts to remedy a potentially dangerous situation but fails, 4.) the engineer
makes a decision where competing interests exist for self benefit or 5.) the engineer is directed by a
employer or client to do an act that is not in the interest of the safety and health of the client, society
and environment.
The engineer can reduce the probability of violating the law by knowing the law and being familiar with
the code of ethics generally applicable to the engineer’s area of work. In addition the engineer can get
help form colleagues, the applicable licensing board, and an attorney. There is no “one approach”. The
table presented in the next section is food for thought
Codes Ethics of American Association of Engineering Societies
AAES Member
Society
Structure
Public Health,
Safety, and Welfare
Sustainability/
Disclosure of Concerns to
Clients
Disclosure of Concerns to Authorities
Environment
AIAA – American
Institute of Aeronautics
and Astronautics
Precepts,
Three
Subheadings,
Canons under
each
Subheading
1.1 The AIAA member will
have proper regard for the
safety, health, and welfare of
the public in the performance
of his professional duties.
2.4 The member will indicate to his
employer or client the adverse
consequences to be expected if his
judgment is overruled.
2.8 The member will report to his employer
or client any matters within his area of
expertise which the member believes
represent a contravention of public law,
regulation, health or safety
[Originally
Adopted: 1978]
AIChE - American
Institute of Chemical
Engineers
Bulleted list of
provisions
Hold paramount the safety,
health and welfare of the
public and protect the
environment in performance
of their professional duties.
Hold paramount the safety,
health and welfare of the public
and protect the environment in
performance of their
professional duties.
Formally advise their employers or clients
(and consider further disclosure, if
warranted) if they perceive that a
consequence of their duties will adversely
affect the present or future health or safety
of their colleagues or the public.
Formally advise their employers or clients (and consider
further disclosure, if warranted) if they perceive that a
consequence of their duties will adversely affect the present
or future health or safety of their colleagues or the public.
Members: shall in the course of the
member’s professional life endeavor to
promote the wellbeing of the community
and, if the member’s judgment is overruled
Members: shall .. if the member’s judgment is overruled in a
particular instance, inform the client or employer of the
possible consequences (and, if appropriate under the
[Originally
Adopted: 1912]
AIMBE - American
Institute for Medical
and Biological
Engineering
(none, though
IFMBE has a
code of ethics)
AIME - American
Institute of Mining,
Metallurgical, and
Petroleum Engineers
(none, but see
the below
member
societies)
AIST – Association
for Iron & Steel
Technology
(none)
SME – Society for
Mining, Metallurgy,
and Exploration
Preamble, 8
Canons,
Interpretations
1. The first responsibility and
the highest duty of members
shall at all times be the
welfare, health and safety of
the community.
in a particular instance, inform the client or
employer of the possible consequences…
circumstances, notify the proper authority of the situation)
[Originally
Adopted: 2006]
SPE – Society of
Petroleum Engineers
Preamble,
Fundamental
Principles, 12
Canons
[Originally
Adopted: 2004]
TMS – The Minerals,
Metals, and Materials
Society
(endorses
NSPE Code of
Ethics)
ANS - American
Nuclear Society
Fundamental
Principle, 12
Practices
Fundamental Principle: …
with fundamental concern
for… safeguarding the
health, safety and well-being
of the public in the pursuit of
this practice.
Fundamental Principle: The
engineer as a professional is
dedicated to … with
fundamental concern for
protecting the environment …
9. Engineers, perceiving a consequence of
their professional duties to adversely affect
the present or future public health and
safety, shall formally advise their
employers or clients, and, if warranted,
consider further disclosure.
9. Engineers, perceiving a consequence of their professional
duties to adversely affect the present or future public health
and safety, shall formally advise their employers or clients,
and, if warranted, consider further disclosure.
1. We hold paramount the
safety, health, and welfare of
the public and fellow
workers…
1. …work to protect the
environment, and strive to
comply with the principles of
sustainable development in the
performance of our professional
duties
2. We will formally advise our employers,
clients, or any appropriate authority and, if
warranted, consider further disclosure, if
and when we perceive that pursuit of our
professional duties might have adverse
consequences for the present or future
public and fellow worker health and safety
or the environment.
2. We will formally advise our employers, clients, or any
appropriate authority and, if warranted, consider further
disclosure, if and when we perceive that pursuit of our
professional duties might have adverse consequences for the
present or future public and fellow worker health and safety or
the environment.
3. We act in accordance with all applicable
laws and these Practices, lend support to
others who strive to do likewise, and report
violations to appropriate authorities.
3. We act in accordance with all applicable laws and these
Practices, lend support to others who strive to do likewise,
and report violations to appropriate authorities.
[Originally
Adopted: 1984]
ASCE - American
Society of Civil
Engineers
Fundamental
Principles, 7
Fundamental
Canons,
Guidelines to
Practice
1. Engineers shall hold
paramount the safety, health
and welfare of the public…
1. Engineers shall… strive to
comply with the principles of
sustainable development in the
performance of their
professional duties.
1c. Engineers whose professional
judgment is overruled under
circumstances where the safety, health
and welfare of the public are endangered,
or the principles of sustainable
development ignored, shall inform their
clients or employers of the possible
1d. Engineers who have knowledge or reason to believe that
another person or firm may be in violation of any of the
provisions of Canon 1 shall present such information to the
proper authority in writing and shall cooperate with the proper
authority in furnishing such further information or assistance
as may be required.
[Originally
consequences.
Adopted: 1914]
ASEE – American
Society for Engineering
Education
(none)
ASME - American
Society of Mechanical
Engineers
Fundamental
Principles, 10
Canons,
Criteria for
Interpretation
1. Engineers shall hold
paramount the safety, health
and welfare of the public in
the performance of their
professional duties.
8. Engineers shall consider
environmental impact and
sustainable development in the
performance of their
professional duties.
1c. Whenever the Engineers' professional
judgments are over-ruled under
circumstances where the safety, health, and
welfare of the public are endangered, the
Engineers shall inform their clients and/or
employers of the possible consequences.
8a. Engineers shall concern
themselves with the impact of
their plans and designs on the
environment.
1d. If engineers have knowledge of or reason to believe that
another person or firm may be in violation of any of the
provisions of these Canons, they shall present such information
to the proper authority in writing and shall cooperate with the
proper authority in furnishing such further information or
assistance as may be required.
8a. …concern themselves with the impact of their plans and
designs on the environment. When the impact is a clear
threat to health or safety of the public, then the guidelines for
this Canon revert to those of Canon 1.
8b. Engineers shall consider
development that meets the
needs of the present without
compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their
own needs.
8b. When the impact of the trade-off between economic,
ecological, and social issues forms a clear threat to health or
safety of the public, then the guidelines for this Canon revert
to those of Canon 1.
[Originally
Adopted: 1914]
HFES - Human Factors
and Ergonomics
Society
Preamble, 5
Articles,
Principles
(Not directly addressed; but
see “Disclosure” columns)
Article II, Principle 7
Where responsible for design, members
include considerations for the safety of
person and property, and, through the
appropriate source, notify those concerned
when a hazardous condition exists.
Article II, Principle 8
Article II, Principle 7
Where responsible for design, members include
considerations for the safety of person and property, and,
through the appropriate source, notify those concerned when
a hazardous condition exists.
Article II, Principle 8
Members clearly present the adverse safety and health
Members clearly present the adverse
safety and health consequences to be
expected from deviations proposed if their
technical judgment is overruled by
technical or administrative authority.
consequences to be expected from deviations proposed if
their technical judgment is overruled by technical or
administrative authority.
Agree: to accept responsibility in making
decisions consistent with the safety, health
and welfare of the public, and to disclose
promptly factors that might endanger the
public or the environment
Agree: to accept responsibility in making decisions consistent
with the safety, health and welfare of the public, and to
disclose promptly factors that might endanger the public or
the environment
A 3. Licensees 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.
A3. Licensees 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.
[Originally
Adopted: 1989]
IEEE - Institute of
Electrical and
Electronics Engineers
10 Canons
1… to accept responsibility
in making decisions
consistent with the safety,
health and welfare of the
public, and to disclose
promptly factors that might
endanger the public or the
environment
… disclose promptly factors
that might endanger the
public or the environment
[Originally
Adopted: 1974
(AIEE adopted
Code in 1912)]
NCEES - National
Council of Examiners
for Engineering and
Surveying (model rules)
3 Subheadings,
Canons under
Each
A 1. Licensees, in the
performance of their services
for clients, employers, and
customers, shall be
cognizant that their first and
foremost responsibility is to
the public welfare.
A8. Licensees 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.
[Originally
Adopted: 1990]
NSPE - National
Society of Professional
Engineers
6 Fundamental
Canons, Rules
and Obligations
II.1. Engineers shall hold
paramount the safety, health,
and welfare of the public.
III.2c: Engineers are
encouraged to adhere to the
principles of sustainable
development in order to protect
II.1a. If engineers’ judgment is overruled
under circumstances that endanger life or
property, they shall notify their employer or
II.1a. If engineers’ judgment is overruled under circumstances
that endanger life or property, they shall notify their employer
or client and such other authority as may be appropriate.
the environment for future
generations
client …
II.1f. Engineers having knowledge of any alleged violation of
this Code shall report thereon to appropriate professional
bodies and, when relevant, also to public authorities, and
cooperate with the proper authorities in furnishing such
information or assistance as may be required.
[Originally
Adopted: 1946]
SWE - Society of
Women Engineers
Three
statements
[Originally
Adopted: 2010]
Summary
This presentation is not prescriptive. It is offered to generate discussion and an appreciation of the fact that
ethics problems arise in the practice of engineering. Sometimes a problem is recognized immediately and
sometimes a problem is not recognized until it has grown in complexity. The only advice is to deal with an
ethical problem immediately and seek help
The ETHICS AND ANTI- CORRUPTION GROUP welcomes comment.