Ethics and Law for Engineers (KA08803)

Introduction to Ethics and the Professional

Engineer
Presented by Andrew Lim
Prepared by Andrew Lim

Revision 0 20 May 2016

What is a profession?
Main attributes of a profession:
1. Work that requires sophisticated skills, use of judgment and exercise
in discretion. Work is not routine and not capable of being mechanized.
2. Requires extensive formal education and not just simple training or
apprenticeship
3. Existence of a special society or organization that are controlled by
members of the profession to set standards for admission and conduct
for members and enforcement of these
4. Significant public good results from the practice of the profession

Often mistaken for job and occupation

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What is a profession?
The level of Judgement and Discretion required by a
profession is different from those from other occupations
Judgement refers to making significant decisions based on formal

training and experience that will have serious impact on peoples lives and
usually, large amounts of cash. Examples?

Discretion carries two meanings.

1. Being discrete by keeping information on ones customers/clients
confidential. Confidentiality is a hallmark of professions.
2. Ability to make decisions autonomously. Similar to Judgement.

Remuneration/salary is NOT a condition for professional

status. Whilst some professions are well paid
(doctors/lawyers), others are not.
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Key Definitions
A profession is a group of learned individuals who adhere to ethical
standards. This group positions itself as possessing special knowledge and
skills in a widely recognised body of learning derived from research,
education and training at a high level, and is recognised by the public as
such. A profession is also prepared to apply this knowledge and exercise
these skills in the interest of others
A professional is a member of a profession. Professionals are governed by
codes of ethics, and profess commitment to competence, integrity and
morality, altruism, and the promotion of the public good within their
expert domain. Professionals are accountable to those served and to
society
Professionalism comprises the personally held beliefs about ones own
conduct as a professional. Its often linked to the upholding of the
principles, laws, ethics and conventions of a profession as a way of
practice.
Professionalisation is the pattern of how a profession develops, as well as
the process of becoming a profession.
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Examples of professions

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Various Stakeholders
Client/Customer
Fellow engineers
General public

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Is Engineering a Profession then?

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Of course it is!
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Engineers are required to keep certain project information or

designs confidential as they are the clients intellectual property
rights - discretion
Engineering design is about managing trade-off between quality,
costs and time. Constrained design - judgement and discretion
Your work cannot be taken over by a factory robot. CAD and
design software are tools to assist engineers; still will not work
without an engineer.
You spend four years in a university to get trained and qualified.
To practice you need to be a member of the Board of Engineers
Malaysia, but not the Institution of Engineering Malaysia.
You improve the lives of your clients and society by your actions.
Although this is somewhat debatable if you are a nuclear missile
engineer (ethical question)

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Aspects of Professional Societies

Sociologists note that there are two distinct models of professions
the socio-contract the and business models.
Socio-contract model view societies as being set up to further the
public good. Society grants perks to the profession such as high pay
and status and freedom to self-regulate in exchange for services by
the profession.
Business model provides a more cynical view in that professions
function as a means for furthering the economic advantage of the
members. Like a labour union for the elite, limiting amount of
practitioners, controlling the working conditions and artificially
inflating the salaries.
Tutorial: Where does the engineering profession fit in?
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Codes of Ethics what it is

Expresses rights, duties, and obligations of the member of the
profession in a coherent, comprehensive and structured
manner.
Defines roles and duties of professionals
Provides a framework for ethical judgment for a professional.
Helps engineer to apply moral principles to unique situations
encountered in their practice

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Codes of Ethics what it is NOT

It cannot cover all situations or eventualities but it gives a
starting point for decision making.
Does not establish new ethical or moral principles but rather
re-iterates principles and standards that are already widely
accepted
Not a substitute for sound judgment/good common sense
Not a legal document but expulsion from the professional
society might result from violation
Not window dressing attempt by an organisation to appear
committed to ethical behaviour when it really is not

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Codes of Ethics how it promotes

ethical behaviour
Creates an environment within a profession where ethical
behaviour is the norm
Serves as guide of how to act in specific situations
Bolsters an individuals' position with regard to an activity as
there is a collective sense of correct behaviour. i.e. when
pressured by employer or client to behave unethically
An indication of the profession to the public that it is serious
about responsible, professional conduct

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Codes of Ethics drawbacks and

objections
Few practicing engineers are members of professional
societies such as IEM
Even those who are members may not be aware of the codes
existence or choose to consult them
Codes often have conflicting clauses and no method for
resolution.
Example: Codes mention engineers duty to his or her employer but
what happens if the employer asks the engineer to behave
unethically?
How can this be solved?

They foster ethical behaviour by coercion, not by incentive.

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Can Codes and Professional Societies

protect employees?
So far, the discussion has been regarding how professionals should
behave in clients and public interest. No mention of protection of
professionals themselves!!! (Kind of a raw deal)
In effect though, ethical behaviour and compliance with codes itself
is protection to the professional itself. Ensures good conduct and
due care to others to protect the professional from being sued or
taken to court.
The codes of conduct can also be used as argument by engineers
against bosses who instructs them to carry out unethical acts.
Though the engineer might still get sacked in the process
Professional Societies may, although very seldom, intervene in
court cases to protect its members
Professional Societies may also sue its own members if they
received a legitimate complaint from the public
So, in short, NOT REALLY!
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Evolution of Codes
Early in the 20th century, codes were mostly concerned with
issues on how to conduct business ethically and spelling out
duties of engineers toward their employers
In recent years, more emphasis on public safety due to several
high profiled cases of engineering failure
Today codes have also been amended to include
commitments toward environmental protection and
sustainability

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What is Engineering Design

In an ideal world, all designs will feature maximum safety,
maximum efficiency and highly effective.
However, this is impractical as it will costs too much and take
too much time.
Hence ENGINEERING
Engineering is to design under constraint. With limitations
placed on costs, efficiency, safety to make the product more
practical, marketable.
Engineering is managing the unknown.
End result also subject to correct interpretation of client
requirements
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Attributes of Civil & Structural

Engineering Design
Most C&S engineering designs are unique and new and thus
these are untried and untested. I.e. seldom two buildings are
exact same parameters.
Unlike mechanical and electronic products, C&S designs are
seldom afforded prototypes
Experience plays a big part in production of an efficient and
optimised design
The only similarity may be in the application of codes and
theories

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Constrained Design triangle

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Constrained Design - example

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Examples of constrained design in

civil/structural engineering

Factors of safety
Loadings
Fire design
Earthquake resistance
Rainfall intensity
Wind speed/load

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