Code of Ethics in Engineering for public safety
- 2. Codes of Ethics Why are codes important? – Serve and protect the public – Guidance/support for engineers – Inspiration, deterrence, discipline – Shared standards, education, mutual understanding – Profession’s image • Limitations of codes – Too vague to be useful in every day ethical decision making? – Impossible to cover all eventualities
- 3. Fundamental Cannons 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.
- 4. National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Code of Ethics for Engineers 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, 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.
- 5. National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) III. 2. A. Engineers shall seek opportunities to participate in civic affairs; career guidance for youths; and work for the advancement of the safety, health, and wellbeing of their community. • This is THE code for the professional engineer!
- 6. American Medical Association (AMA), Principles of Medical Ethics Section VII: A physician shall recognize a responsibility to participate in activities contributing to the improvement of the community and the betterment of public health.
- 7. American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) “To achieve these goals, members shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public and protect the environment in performance of their professional duties.”
- 8. 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:
- 9. 1. 1. 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; 2. To be honest and realistic in stating claims or estimates based on available data; 3. To reject bribery in all its forms; 4. To improve the understanding of technology, its appropriate application, and potential consequences; IEEE Code of Ethics
- 10. 5. To maintain and improve our technical competence and to undertake technological tasks for others only if qualified by training or experience. 6. To seek, accept, and offer honest criticism of technical work, to acknowledge and correct errors, and to credit properly the contributions of others; 7. To treat fairly all persons regardless of such factors as race, religion, gender, disability, age, or national origin; 8. To avoid injuring others, their property, reputation, or employment by false or malicious action; IEEE Code of Ethics
- 11. IEEE Code of Ethics Article IV: Members shall, in fulfilling their responsibilities to the community: 1. Protect the safety, health, and welfare of the public and speak out against abuses in these areas affecting the public interest; 2. Contribute professional advice, as appropriate, to civic, charitable or other nonprofit organizations; 3. Seek to extend public knowledge and appreciation of the profession and its achievements
- 12. The following phrase is from the IEEE Code of Ethics: “To improve the understanding of technology, its appropriate application, and potential consequences.” IEEE Code of Ethics