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ENGINEERING
PRACTICE
Codes of Ethics Of
Professional Engineering
ABSTRACT
An ethical engineer is one who avoids conflicts of interest, does not attempt to
misrepresent their knowledge so as to accept jobs outside their area of expertise, acts in the
best interests of society and the environment, fulfils the terms of their contracts or agreements
in a thorough and professional manner, and promotes the education of young engineers
within their field.
Failures in engineering ethics can have many legal consequences as well, as in the
case of a mall collapse in Korea. Thirty five faculty members from around the country have
created a number of case problems in several engineering disciplines which intertwine
technical calculations with engineering ethics. These were presented at a 1995 workshop at
Texas A&M, sponsored by the National Science Foundation. The site for Applied Ethics in
Professional Practice Case of the Month Club created and maintained by then Professional
Engineering Practice Liaison Program in the College of Engineering at University of
Washington, provides the opportunity to review a particular case study which involves
engineering ethics and then vote on which course of action should be taken. All cases are
based on actual professional engineering experiences as contributed by a board of practicing
engineers nationally. Background information on codes of ethics is also provided at this
report later.
2.0 WHAT IS A CODE OF ETHIC?
• A code can also express the commitment to ethical conduct share by a member of a
professional.
• Provide guidance and help to make people aware of the ethical content of their work.
• Stimulate ethical behaviour and give helpful guidance and advice on moral obligation.
• Motivate and inspire practitioners, by attempting to define their raison d’etre (reason
that accounts for).
• Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the people (Example Narmada dam -
Mrs. Medha Pathkar, Mr. Sunderlal Bhauguna and others effort)
• Professional rights.
• Taking office supplies for home use (paper, pencil, pen, etc.).
• Most of the members are not aware with this society, or they not read it.
The Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) is a statutory body constituted under the
Registration of Engineers Act 1967 with perpetual succession and a common seal and which
may sue and be sued. It was formed in 23rd August 1972.
BEM falls within the ambit of responsibility of the Minister of Works. Vested with
wide powers, the Minister may suspend the operation of the Registration of Engineers Act
1967 in any part of Malaysia by notification in the gazette. The appointment of the Board
Members and the Registrar is made by the Minister. Last but not least, the Minister has the
final say on any appeal from foreign engineers who are not satisfied with the decision of the
Board in rejecting their applications for temporary registration or renewal.
In essence, the Board is established for the purpose of regulating the professional
conduct and practice of registered engineers in order to safeguard the safety and interest of
the public.
Its primary role is to facilitate the registration of engineers and regulate the
professional conduct and practice of registered engineers in order to safeguard the safety and
interest of the public.
Through its mechanism of control, BEM has taken upon itself to reclassify the
engineering works, streamline the Scale of Fees and amend the Engineers Act to reflect the
pragmatic needs of the engineers and engineering industry. For example, the latest
amendments of The Registration of Engineers Act 1967 were made on 1st April 2007 to meet
the challenges of globalization and companion trade liberalisation.
5. Introduction of new Part that deals with the establishment, powers & conduct of
proceedings of a Disciplinary Committee.
Vision
The engineering services provided by Malaysian engineers are of world class quality with full
regards to the public interest and safety in mind.
Mission
Functions of BEM
BEM is of the view that it plays a pivotal role in uplifting the image of the engineering
profession. In order that it may play its role effectively, BEM is carrying out in earnest its
various functions provided for in Section 4 of the Registration of Engineers Act 1967
(Amendment 2002). The functions are:
a) Maintaining the Register
The Board shall keep and maintain a Register which shall be in five Parts:
Part A: Which shall contain the names, addresses and other particulars of
Professional Engineers;
Part B: Which shall contain the names, addresses and other particulars of
Graduate Engineers;
Part C: Which shall contain the names, addresses and other particulars of
Temporary Engineers;
Part D: Which shall contain the names, addresses and other particulars of
Engineering consultancy practices; and
Part E: Which shall contain the names, addresses and other particulars of
Accredited Checkers.
BEM through its Examination and Qualification Committee conducts the Professional
Assessment Examination (PAE) to assess the quality of experience gained by the
Graduate Engineers and his competency.
Since its inception in 1972, BEM has been a medium for the engineers to
decide on matters relating to their professional conduct or ethics. Any matter
concerning the professional conduct of registered engineers will be studied by the
Board to determine whether there is a breach of professional ethics or code.
If the need arises, BEM will carry out investigations to establish whether there
is a prima facie case against a registered engineer for contravening the Act. The
procedures to follow are prescribed in Section 15 of the Act.
f) Publication
The Ingenieur (4 issues per year: March, June, Sept and December) is used as
a communication tool for BEM to disseminate information on the activities of the
Board, regulations, code of ethics, career development, update and guidelines and
such other news as decided by the Board.
BEM has set certain guidelines in connection with the financial assistance
provided. BEM will consider providing financial assistance to seminar or conference
which is organised by a non-profit making organisation. The seminar or conference
must be technical one that will benefit the registered engineers.
The promotion of continued learning and education does not stop here. BEM
would also consider giving grant to selected type of study related to engineering or
contribute prizes for selected competition also related to engineering. BEM even goes
further by purchasing engineering reference books which all engineer have access to
in the BEM library.
1. A registered engineer holds paramount the safety, health & welfare of the public.
3. A registered engineer shall issue public statements only in an objective & truthful
manner.
4. A registered engineer shall act for each employer or clients as faithful agent or trustee.
All engineers are expected to uphold the integrity of the profession by behaving in a manner
expected of him in the Code of Conduct of Engineers.
DO's
5.2 An engineer must understand the need for responsibility and liability as stipulated in
the Code of Conduct.
5.3 An engineer must respond promptly to complaints and enquiries by clients /authorities
DON’Ts
5.2 An engineer should not knowingly mislead the public by giving misrepresented
information so as to gain commercial advantage.
5.3 An engineer should not respond to an open advertisement to bid for provision of
professional service if such provision for the service requires bidding fees or
equivalent as is usually imposed on contractors.
5.4 An engineer should avoid favouritism among vendors and other suppliers.
Through its mechanism of control, e.g. The Engineers Act 1967 (Amendment 2002),
BEM has taken upon itself to reclassify the engineering works, streamline the Scale of Fees,
amend the Engineers Act to reflect the pragmatic needs of the engineers and engineering
industry.
BEM is committed in its role in bringing the engineering profession to greater heights
and to project the image of engineers in the right perspective. Strategies have been
formulated and links have been initiated with various Government departments for it to
continually provide assistance to the Government from municipal level right up to ministerial
level.
BEM also endeavours to exert its influence in any high profile committee that would
decide on any matter that concerns the practice of Professional Engineers serving in the
private and public sectors. Representatives of BEM also sit in various committees, including
that of the Board of Architects Malaysia and the Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia, thus
ensuring that the voice of the engineers is heard, and their recommendations taken into
consideration.
Developing links with the professional engineering bodies both locally and
internationally is also one of the main strategies of BEM.
7.2 The Institution Of Engineers Malaysia (IEM)
With a membership of close to 24,094 engineers and an estimated annual growth rate
of 10%, IEM is one of the largest professional bodies in Malaysia. The Corporate member of
the Institution can apply to the Board of Engineers, Malaysia (which is a registration body)
for registration as a Professional Engineer, which will entitle him to set up practice. The
qualification standards are determined by the Council of the Institution.
The Institution is one of the few professional engineering institutions in the world,
which represents all disciplines of the profession, and is thus able to take a broad view of the
professional scene. Currently, the IEM has five (5) official representatives on the BEM out of
a total Board membership of seventeen (17).
Vision
Mission
IEM shall promote sound professional engineering practice in support of the socio-economic
development objectives of the nation.
IEM shall service the needs and interests of its members and the public and uphold the social
standing image of the engineering profession.
IEM shall contribute towards nation building and shall strive to enhance society's
consciousness of science and technology.
Functions of IEM
IEM is a society established to promote and advance the Science and Profession of
Engineering in any or all its disciplines and to facilitate the exchange of information and
ideas related to Engineering.
• Access to a wide network of fellow engineers in the private and public sectors in
Malaysia as well as regional and international engineering bodies.
• Keep abreast with engineering development via readership of IEM Journals and
Bulletins.
• Provides an avenue for networking with other engineers outside your company and
also an opportunity to meet industry leaders.
• Linked to the internet and access to the information superhighway, via internet.
The objects of the Institution as set out in the Constitution shall include the following:-
1. To hold meetings, exhibitions and visits, and such other activities as The Institution
may deem incidental or conducive to the promotion or attainment of the profession of
engineering.
2. To raise the character and status and advance the interests of the profession of
engineering and those engaged therein;
5. To do such other things as the Institution may thing incidental or conducive to the
attainment of the objects of The Institution
5. Apply their skill knowledge in the interest employer or client, without compromising
the welfare, health and the safety of the community.
6. Take all responsible steps to inform community about consequences of the actions
and projects in which they are involved.
The IEEE name was originally an acronym for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers, Inc. Today, the organization's scope of interest has expanded into so many related
fields, that it is simply referred to by the letters I-E-E-E (pronounced Eye-triple-E).
Vision
Mission
The IEEE promotes the engineering process of related field of electrical engineering for the
benefit of humanity and the profession.
Functions of IEEE
• Publications
The IEEE publishes nearly a third of the world’s technical literature in electrical
engineering, computer science and electronics. This includes 140 transactions, journals
and magazines published annually. In cooperation with John Wiley and Sons, Inc., the
IEEE also produces technical books, monographs, guides and textbooks.
IEEE journals are consistently among the most highly cited in electrical and
electronics engineering, telecommunications and other technical fields.
• Digital Library
All IEEE content since 1988 plus select content dating back to 1950 is available in
digital format. The IEEE Xplore® digital library contains more than 2 million
documents from IEEE and IEE journals, transactions, magazines, letters, conference
proceedings and active IEEE standards.
• Conferences
Each year, over 100,000 technical professionals attend the more than 900 conferences
sponsored or cosponsored by the IEEE. From microelectronics and microwaves to
sensors and security, IEEE conferences cover relevant topics that showcase the depth
and breadth of members’ technical fields.
• Standards
• Grants
Through the IEEE Foundation General Fund and over 80 smaller special-purpose
funds, the IEEE Foundation provides approximately US$2 million in philanthropic
support each year to IEEE-related programs worldwide.
• Awards
Accomplishments in IEEE technical fields are recognized with annual awards for
outstanding contributions to technology, society and the engineering profession.
The IEEE Medal of Honor, the IEEE's highest award, recognizes an individual for an
exceptional contribution or extraordinary career in the IEEE fields of interest. Past
recipients have included such visionaries as:
PREAMBLE:
Engineers, scientists and technologies affect the quality of life for all people in our complex
technological society. In the pursuit of their profession, therefore, it is vital that IEEE
members conduct their work in an ethical manner so that they merit the confidences of
colleagues, employers, clients, and the public. This IEEE Code of Ethics represents such a
standard professional conduct for IEEE members in the discharge of their responsibilities to
employers, to clients, to the community and to their colleagues in this Institute and other
professional societies.
ARTICLE I:
Members shall maintain high standards of diligence, creativity and productivity, and shall:
4. Maintain their professional skills at the level of the state of the art, and recognize the
importance of current events in their work.
ARTICLE II:
1. Treat fairly all colleagues and co-workers, regardless of race, religion, sex, age or
national origin;
2. Report, publish and disseminate freely, information to others, subject to legal and
proprietary restraints;
3. Encourage colleagues and co-workers to act in accord with this Code and support
them when they do so;
4. Seek, accept and offer honest criticism of work, and properly credit the contributions
of others;
ARTICLE III:
1. Act as faithful agents or trustees for their employers or clients in professional and
business matters, provided such as actions conform with other parts of this Code.
2. Keep information on the business affairs or technical processes of an employer or
client in confidence while employed, and later, such information is properly released,
provided such actions conform with the other parts of this Code;
4. Neither give nor accept, directly or indirectly, any gift, payment or service of more
than nominal value to or from those having business relationships with their
employers or clients;
5. Assist and advise their employers or clients in anticipating the possible consequences
direct and indirect; immediate or remote, of the projects, work or plans of which they
have knowledge.
ARTICLE IV:
1. Protect the safety, health and welfare of the public and speak out against abuses in
those areas affecting the public interest;
3. Seek to extend public knowledge and appreciation of the profession and its
achievements.
8.0 COMPARISON WITHIN 3 CODES
10.0 CONCLUSION
Why the Codes of Ethics must be clearly defined for each engineering society?
11.0 REFERENCE
1. Engineering Ethics - by Charles, B. Leerdermann, Third edition, Pearson Prentice
Hall.
2. Martin, Mike W., and Roland Schinzinger, Ethics in Engineering, 3rd ed., McGraw-
Hill, New York, 1996.
3. Pinkus, Rosa L., Larry J. Shuman, Norman P. Hummon, and Harvey Wolfe,
Engineering Ethics— Balancing Cost, Schedule and Risk: Lessons Learned from the
Space Shuttle, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, England, 1997.
4. http://www.bem.com/
5. http://www.iem.com/
6. http://www.ieee.org/com.