DECLARATION

I, NGAMIJE Hildebrand, hereby declare that to the best of my knowledge that this
Assignment is my work and has never been submitted for by any student in CST.

NGAMIJE Hildebrand

Signature..
Date

DEDICATION

To my loving Family, my friends and my classmates. If I owe anyone my gratitude for

having this work done, it is them.

ii

ABSTRACT

Given the impact that Engineering has on human health and welfare, sometimes realized
when some disasters occur, like the collapse of a building or the deadly malfunction of a
robot, Engineering ethic is critical for guarding the health and safety of humans. Ethics also
are necessary for the survival and continuity of the engineering profession. This work is for
providing basic concepts and definitions of engineering ethics as well as the importance of
studying engineering ethics.

iii

Table of Contents
DECLARATION ..................................................................................................................................... i
DEDICATION ........................................................................................................................................ ii
ABSTRACT........................................................................................................................................... iii
Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 1
1.1

Definition ................................................................................................................................ 1

1.2

Why Study Engineering Ethics?............................................................................................... 1

1.3

Why Practice Engineering Ethically? ....................................................................................... 2

Chapter 2: ENGINEERING ETHICS ..................................................................................................... 2

2.1 Need for engineering ethics .............................................................................................................. 2
2.2 Issues faced due to lack of engineering ethics .................................................................................. 3
2.3. Codes of Ethics ................................................................................................................................ 3
2.4 NSPE Code of Ethics ........................................................................................................................ 4
2.4.1 Preamble .................................................................................................................................... 4
2.4.2 Fundamental Canons ................................................................................................................. 4
2.4.3 Rules of Practice......................................................................................................................... 4
2.4.4 Professional Obligations ............................................................................................................ 7
2.5 IEEE/ACM code of ethics .............................................................................................................. 10
2.5.1 General Moral issues ............................................................................................................... 10
2.5.2 Specific Professional Responsibilities ...................................................................................... 11
2.3.3 Organizational Leadership imperatives ................................................................................... 12
2.5.4 Compliance with the Code ....................................................................................................... 12
2.6 Importance ...................................................................................................................................... 12
Chapter 3: CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................... 14
References ............................................................................................................................................. 15

iv

Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION

With the speed in which mankind is making progress in Science and Technology, it is evident
that a particular notion, idea or a concept developed in the past, will be put into use to
augment or built a new scientific concept or a new technology. In such a situation, it will be
inappropriate if the individual who begets the notion, idea or a concept is not given
substantial recognition for his / her work in the past, on which new theories or concepts are
developed. Although the morality of the developer of a new scientific concept or a new
technology is not under question; it is essential for a scientist or a technologist to be aware of
the appropriate and inappropriate practices to be performed while presenting his / her work to
the world. Every scientist and an engineer have an ode to the society by a significant
contribution through their work. Engineering ethics evolves from applied ethics to structure
engineering practices in a righteous manner. It confines the practice of engineering and
develops a discipline to all the practitioners of engineering stream towards their clientele,
academicians and upcoming engineering students.

1.1 Definition

Engineering ethics is the field of applied ethics and system of moral principles that apply to
the practice of engineering. The field examines and sets the obligations by engineers to
society, to their clients, and to the profession. As a scholarly discipline, it is closely related to
subjects such as the philosophy of science, the philosophy of engineering, and the ethics of
technology.

1.2 Why Study Engineering Ethics?

To Understand the Standards Governing What is Acceptable Behavior in the Practice of

Engineering

1.3 Why Practice Engineering Ethically?

-

To Understand the Standards Governing What is Acceptable Behavior in the Practice

of Engineering

Personal Injury/Property Damage

Disciplinary Action

Impact on Reputation, Employer, Clients, Profession

Possible Loss of Job, Business, etc.

Chapter 2: ENGINEERING ETHICS

Ethics is a righteous practice an individual should always have. Ethical reasoning has its own
virtue, where an argument can be correct or incorrect depending on an individuals ethical
perspective. Recently, technical corporations have started incorporating ethical offices in
their organizations; to ensure appropriate engineering practices leading to success and
prosperity of the organization instead of arguments and retaliations on moral grounds
between the employees. Ethical thinking depends on what an individual feels is right or
wrong. It depends on what the individual has been practicing in his / her engineering
profession.

2.1 Need for engineering ethics

It is a need which leads to the development of technology. It is the freedom provided to

technologists which leads to successful creation of manmade wonders. For example, it would
have been impossible for mankind to step on the lunar surface; had it not been for visionaries.

Advancement in engineering is solely dependent on the boundaries that mankind creates. On

the contrary, such boundaries, if not defined properly, may lead to untoward situations. The
brilliance of intellect invested in development of the engineering projects is futile for the
benefit of the mankind.

It was later after dropping the atomic bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki that the project team
members realized the lack of social responsibility they demonstrated through their actions.
2

Such events may lead to dilemmas. For instance, Einsteins dilemma is a famous of 1939,
where he conjectured the availability of the nuclear energy as a boon or a curse.

Technological development should be treated as a benefit to mankind. Ethical virtues such as

these can only be developed by incorporating engineering ethics in an academic curriculum.

2.2 Issues faced due to lack of engineering ethics

Any situation will put an engineer in a two state mentality. From the perspective of ethical
engineering, no choice is right or wrong. The circumstance on which an engineer makes a
particular decision differs and cannot be justified all the time. Such a kind of dilemma is very
prominent in engineering ethics. The dilemma always performs a lab test on the morality of
that engineer. A rationale and trained professional engineer should not fall in such a
quandary. Training in ethical engineering and understanding of several case studies
pertaining to engineering ethics resolves such a kind of untoward situation for an engineer.

2.3. Codes of Ethics

Codes of ethics have been established by various professional engineeringsocieties, such as

the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), the AmericanSociety of Mechanical
Engineers (ASME), the Institute of Electrical and ElectronicsEngineers (IEEE), etc. These
codes serve as a frameworkfor ethical judgment for aprofessional engineer. The codes also
express the rights, duties, and obligations of themembers of the profession.

Obviously, the codes of ethics are not comprehensive enoughto cover all possible ethical
dilemmas that an engineer might encounter in his or hercareer. The codes serve as starting
points for making ethical decisions. It is important tonote what a code of ethics does not
represent:
-

A code of ethics is not a legal document, so a professional cannot bearrested for

violating its provisions

Although violating the code of ethics may result in expulsion from aprofessional
society (such as NSPE or ASME), expulsion from a societygenerally will not result in
an inability to practice engineering.
3

A code of ethics does not create new moral and ethical principles; theseprinciples are
rooted in centuries of societal and human interactions

2.4 NSPE Code of Ethics

2.4.1 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.

2.4.2 Fundamental Canons

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.

2.4.3 Rules of Practice

1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public.

If engineers' judgment is overruled under circumstances that endanger life or

property, theyshall notify their employer or client and such other authority as may
be appropriate.
4

Engineers shall approve only those engineering documents that are in conformity
with applicable standards.

Engineers shall not reveal facts, data, or information without the prior consent of
the client oremployer except as authorized or required by law or this Code.

Engineers shall not permit the use of their name or associate in business ventures
with anyperson or firm that they believe are engaged in fraudulent or dishonest
enterprise.

Engineers shall not aid or abet the unlawful practice of engineering by a person or
firm.

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 withthe proper authorities in furnishing such
information or assistance as may be required.

2. Engineers shall perform services only in the areas of their competence.

Engineers shall undertake assignments only when qualified by education or

experience in thespecific technical fields involved.

Engineers shall not affix their signatures to any plans or documents dealing with
subject matterin which they lack competence, nor to any plan or document not
prepared under their directionand control.

Engineers may accept assignments and assume responsibility for coordination of an

entireproject and sign and seal the engineering documents for the entire project,
provided that eachtechnical segment is signed and sealed only by the qualified
engineers who prepared the segment.

3. Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.

Engineers shall be objective and truthful in professional reports, statements, or

testimony. Theyshall include all relevant and pertinent information in such reports,
statements, or testimony,which should bear the date indicating when it was current.

Engineers may express publicly technical opinions that are founded upon knowledge
of thefacts and competence in the subject matter.
5

Engineers shall issue no statements, criticisms, or arguments on technical matters that

are inspired or paid for by interested parties, unless they have prefaced their
comments by explicitlyidentifying the interested parties on whose behalf they are
speaking, and by revealing theexistence of any interest the engineers may have in the
matters.

4. Engineers shall act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees.

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.

Engineers shall not accept compensation, financial or otherwise, from more than one
party forservices on the same project, or for services pertaining to the same project,
unless thecircumstances are fully disclosed and agreed to by all interested parties.

Engineers shall not solicit or accept financial or other valuable consideration, directly
or indirectly, from outside agents in connection with the work they are in charge of.

Engineers in public service as members, advisors, or employees of a governmental or

quasigovernmentalbody or department shall not participate in decisions with respect to
servicessolicited or provided by them or their organizations in private or public
engineering practice.

Engineers shall not solicit or accept a contract from a governmental body on which a
principalor officer of their organization serves as a member.

5. Engineers shall avoid deceptive acts.

-

Associates' qualifications. They shall not misrepresent or exaggerate their

responsibility in or forthe subject matter of prior assignments. Brochures or other
presentations incident to thesolicitation of employment shall not misrepresent
pertinent facts concerning employers, employees, associates, joint ventures, or past
accomplishments.

Engineers shall not offer, give, solicit or receive, either directly or indirectly, any
contributionto influence the award of a contract by public authority, or which may be
reasonably construed bythe public as having the effect of intent to influencing the
awarding of a contract. They shall notoffer any gift or other valuable consideration in
order to secure work. They shall not pay acommission, percentage, or brokerage fee

in order to secure work, except to a bona fide employeeor bona fide established
commercial or marketing agencies retained by them.

2.4.4 Professional Obligations

1. Engineers shall be guided in all their relations by the highest standards of honesty and
integrity.

Engineers shall acknowledge their errors and shall not distort or alter the facts.

Engineers shall advise their clients or employers when they believe a project will not
be successful.

Engineers shall not attempt to attract an engineer from another employer by false or
misleadingpretenses.

Engineers shall not promote their own interest at the expense of the dignity and
integrity of theprofession.

Engineers shall not accept outside employment to the detriment of their regular work
or interest. Before accepting any outside engineering employment they will notify
their employers.

2. Engineers shall at all times strive to serve the public interest.

Engineers shall seek opportunities to participate in civic affairs; career guidance

for youths; and work for the advancement of the safety, health, and well-being of
their community.

Engineers shall not complete, sign, or seal plans and/or specifications that are not
in conformitywith applicable engineering standards. If the client or employer
insists on such unprofessionalconduct, they shall notify the proper authorities and
withdraw from further service on the project.

Engineers shall endeavor to extend public knowledge and appreciation of

engineering and itsachievements.

3. Engineers shall avoid all conduct or practice that deceives the public.
7

Engineers shall avoid the use of statements containing a material misrepresentation of

fact oromitting a material fact.

Consistent with the foregoing, engineers may advertise for recruitment of personnel.

Consistent with the foregoing, engineers may prepare articles for the lay or technical
press, butsuch articles shall not imply credit to the author for work performed by
others.

4. Engineers shall not disclose, without consent, confidential information concerning the
business affairs or technical processes of any present or former client or employer, or public
body on which they serve.

Engineers shall not, without the consent of all interested parties, promote or arrange
for newemployment or practice in connection with a specific project for which the
engineer has gainedparticular and specialized knowledge.

Engineers shall not, without the consent of all interested parties, participate in or
represent anadversary interest in connection with a specific project or proceeding in
which the engineer hasgained particular specialized knowledge on behalf of a former
client or employer.

5. Engineers shall not be influenced in their professional duties by conflicting interests.

Engineers shall not accept financial or other considerations, including free

engineering designs, from material or equipment suppliers for specifying their
product.

Engineers shall not accept commissions or allowances, directly or indirectly, from

contractorsor other parties dealing with clients or employers of the engineer in
connection with work forwhich the engineer is responsible.

6. Engineers shall not attempt to obtain employment or advancement or professional

engagementsby untruthfully criticizing other engineers, or by other improper or questionable
methods.

Engineers shall not request, propose, or accept a commission on a contingent basis

under circumstances in which their judgment may be compromised.

Engineers in salaried positions shall accept part-time engineering work only to the
extent Consistent with policies of the employer and in accordance with ethical
considerations.

Engineers shall not, without consent, use equipment, supplies, laboratory, or office
facilities ofan employer to carry on outside private practice.

7. Engineers shall not attempt to injure, maliciously or falsely, directly or indirectly, the
professional reputation, prospects, practice, or employment of other engineers. Engineers
who believe others are guilty of unethical or illegal practice shall present such information to
the proper authority for action.

Engineers in private practice shall not review the work of another engineer for the
same client, except with the knowledge of such engineer, or unless the connection
of such engineer with thework has been terminated.

Engineers in governmental, industrial, or educational employ are entitled to

review and evaluate the work of other engineers when so required by their
employment duties.

Engineers in sales or industrial employ are entitled to make engineering

comparisons of represented products with products of other suppliers.

8. Engineers shall accept personal responsibility for their professional activities, provided,
however, that engineers may seek indemnification for services arising out of their practice for
other than gross negligence, where the engineer's interests cannot otherwise be protected.

Engineers shall conform to state registration laws in the practice of engineering.

Engineers shall not use association with a nonengineer, a corporation, or

partnership as a"cloak" for unethical acts.

9. Engineers shall give credit for engineering work to those to whom credit is due, and will
recognize the proprietary interests of others.

Engineers shall, whenever possible, name the person or persons who may be
individually responsible for designs, inventions, writings, or other accomplishments.

Engineers using designs supplied by a client recognize that the designs remain the
property ofthe client and may not be duplicated by the engineer for others without
express permission.

Engineers, before undertaking work for others in connection with which the engineer
maymake improvements, plans, designs, inventions, or other records that may justify
copyrights orpatents, should enter into a positive agreement regarding ownership.

Engineers' designs, data, records, and notes referring exclusively to an employer's

work are theemployer's property. The employer should indemnify the engineer for use
of the information forany purpose other than the original purpose.

Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their careers and
shouldkeep current in their specialty fields by engaging in professional practice,
participating incontinuing education courses, reading in the technical literature, and
attending professionalmeetings and seminars.

2.5 IEEE/ACM code of ethics

2.5.1 General Moral issues

1. Contribute to society and human well-being.

This principle concerning the quality of life of all people affirms an obligation to protect
fundamental human rights and to respect the diversity of all cultures.
2.Avoid harm to others.
"Harm" means injury or negative consequences, such as undesirable loss of information,
loss of property, property damage, or unwanted environmental impacts.
3. Be honest and trustworthy.
Honesty is an essential component of trust
4. Be fair and take action not to discriminate.

10

The values of equality, tolerance, respect for others, and the principles of equal justice govern
this imperative. Discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, age, disability, national
origin, or other such factors is an explicit violation of ACM policy and will not be tolerated.
5. Honor property rights including copyrights and patent.
Violation of copyrights, patents, trade secrets and the terms of license agreements is
prohibited by law in most circumstances
6. Give proper credit for intellectual property.
Computing professionals are obligated to protect the integrity of intellectual property.
Specifically, one must not take credit for other's ideas or work, even in cases where the work
has not been explicitly protected by copyright, patent, etc.
7. Respect the privacy of others.
Computing and communication technology enables the collection and exchange of personal
information on a scale unprecedented in the history of civilization.
8. Honor confidentiality.
The principle of honesty extends to issues of confidentiality of information whenever one has
made an explicit promise to honor confidentiality or, implicitly, when private information not
directly related to the performance of one's duties becomes available.

2.5.2 Specific Professional Responsibilities

1. Strive to achieve the highest quality, effectiveness and dignity in both the process and
products of professional work.
2. Excellence is perhaps the most important obligation of a professional.
3. Acquire and maintain professional competence.
4. Excellence depends on individuals who take responsibility for acquiring and
maintaining professional competence.
5. Know and respect existing laws pertaining to professional work.
6. Accept and provide appropriate professional review.

11

7. Give comprehensive and thorough evaluations of computer systems and their impacts,
including analysis of possible risks.
8. Honor contracts, agreements, and assigned responsibilities.
9. Improve public understanding of computing and its consequences.
10. Access computing and communication resources only when authorized to do so.

2.3.3 Organizational Leadership imperatives

1. Articulate social responsibilities of members of an organizational unit and encourage

full acceptance of those responsibilities.
2. Manage personnel and resources to design and build information systems that
enhance the quality of working life.
3. Acknowledge and support proper and authorized uses of an organization's computing
and communication resources.
4. Ensure that users and those who will be affected by a system have their needs clearly
articulated during the assessment and design of requirements; later the system must be
validated to meet requirements.
5. Articulate and support policies that protect the dignity of users and others affected by
a computing system.
6. Create opportunities for members of the organization to learn the principles and
limitations of computer systems.

2.5.4 Compliance with the Code

1. Uphold and promote the principles of this Code.

2. Treat violations of this code as inconsistent with membership in the ACM.

2.6 Importance

Professional agencies of engineering may step into any project if they are notified or
suspect that a project is not built to the ethics that it should be. They may do many things
12

once they intervene or review the project. They may stop the project for further review or
corrections. If an engineer has drastically broken the code of engineering the agency may
revoke or recommend that the engineer's privilege of practicing engineering be
terminated.
-

The engineer is responsible for the building codes being safe for the public to use without
harm. This means that they must be totally sure that their design is up to the ethics that an
engineer must follow to be able to keep his privilege of practicing engineering. The
fabricator must use materials that he/she feels meets or preferably accedes the standard
safety requirements of the project. The owner or employer must not use sources of
pressure, such as money or political power, to speed up the process due to the fact that
this might cause great harm to members of the public. Also the owner must not "cut
corners" to save money or add personal benefit. These responsibilities must be met for
every project when regarding building codes

The engineers are ultimately responsible when it comes down to checking the safety of
the final designs of their designs of the object that they are building or designing. An
engineer's first priority of their design is the welfare of the public. You must be totally
sure that person of the public will not be harmed in anyway. This can not be affected by
outside sources such as political or social pressure. If an engineer feels the slightest doubt
in what he/she is processing then he/she must not follow through with the project until
he/she is satisfied.

It is very important for an engineer to use clear judgment when a safety problem is at
stake, especially in disaster recovery. When a safety problem is a concern it may be easy
to not report it; however, an engineer has an ethical responsibility to report all safety
issues even though by doing so, he/she may run the risk of being penalized, fired or
blacklisted. The line between ethical, moral standards and circumstances where jobs are
at stake becomes very thin. For example, "Engineer A learns that his employer is
violating environmental regulations relating to acceptable toxicity levels of waste
materials being released by the employer's industrial facility.

13

Chapter 3: CONCLUSION

It is important for engineering students to study engineering ethics so that they

will be prepared to make (sometimes difficult) ethical decisions during their professional
careers.
Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their services and shall not
Compete unfairly with others. And also Engineers shall consider development that meets the
needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own
needs. When the impact of the trade-off between economic, ecological, and social issues
forms a clear threat to health or safety of the public,

14

References

1. https://sites.tufts.edu/eeseniordesignhandbook/2013/engineering-ethics-2/
2. http://www.ehow.com/info_8347158_importance-ethics-engineering.html
3. https://www.engineering.leeds.ac.uk/faculty/undergraduate/engineering-ethics.shtml

4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineering_ethics
5. http://temp.onlinethics.org/cases/robot/article- 1.htm/

15