CCE 490 – A

Engineering
Ethics
CHAPTER 4 – ETHICAL PROBLEM-SOLVING
TECHNIQUES CONTINUED

Michel Owayjan CCE 490 - A: ENGINEERING ETHICS 1

 Issues Pertaining to Ethical
Problem Solving
Factual Issues
◦ What the “facts” really are is often a point of contention - are the
facts truly known?
Conceptual Issues
◦ Pertain to the meaning of actions
◦ Is a gift intended to influence a decision?
◦ Should certain information be regarded as proprietary?
Moral Issues
◦ Once factual and conceptual issues have been resolved, the moral
issue in dispute often becomes apparent

Michel Owayjan CCE 490 - A: ENGINEERING ETHICS 2

Conflicts and their
resolution
Conflicts are situations which present a choice between two
or more moral values, each of which has its own merits
Three possible solution scenarios:
◦ Choose the ethical value which is stronger (health and safety of public
versus duty toward employer)
◦ Find a creative middle ground usually involving a compromise agreed
upon by all parties
◦ When all else fails, make the best choice possible based on available
information

As a 1st step: completely understand all issues involved and

enumerate them, then use the three categories of issues:
factual, conceptual, and moral.

Michel Owayjan CCE 490 - A: ENGINEERING ETHICS 3

Analyzing ethical problems
Rarely have a correct answer that everyone will come up
with.
There will be a range of solutions that are clearly right, some
of which will be better than others.
There will be a range of solutions that are clearly wrong.
Analyze a problem using different methods
If answers are different using different methods then careful
analysis and weighting is needed
Individual rights often take precedence. Even one death is
“one too many”

Michel Owayjan CCE 490 - A: ENGINEERING ETHICS 4

Designing a solution to an
ethical dilemma
Define the problem
◦ What’s known? What’s ambiguous?

Explore solutions
◦ Brainstorm—go beyond the obvious

Identify criteria
◦ Personal values, professional standards, laws

Consider outcomes and consequences

◦ Professional, personal, legal, moral

Michel Owayjan CCE 490 - A: ENGINEERING ETHICS 5

Analysis techniques
Line Drawing
◦ Evaluate alternatives with respect to where they fall on the line

Flow Charting
Solving Conflicts
◦ (importance, compromise, bite the bullet)

Michel Owayjan CCE 490 - A: ENGINEERING ETHICS 6

Line drawing
Useful for situations in which the applicable moral principles
are clear, but there seems to be a great deal of “gray area”
about which ethical principle applies.
Polar opposites are established.
◦ Positive paradigm (example, pattern). Unambiguously morally
acceptable
◦ Negative paradigm. Unambiguously not morally acceptable
Moral problems are placed along line in accordance with
where each fall on a continuum.
◦ Develop alternatives and place them between the two extremes.
Which are closer to the “positive”?
“P” is placed where you believe problem fits relative to
entries.
Michel Owayjan CCE 490 - A: ENGINEERING ETHICS 7
Elementary line-drawing technique
Negative paradigm Positive paradigm
(NP) (PP)

Michel Owayjan CCE 490 - A: ENGINEERING ETHICS 8

Flow charting
Helpful when there is a sequence of events or a series of consequences
that flows from each decision.
Gives a visual picture and readily allows one to see results of each
decision.

Michel Owayjan CCE 490 - A: ENGINEERING ETHICS 9

Elementary flow chart
Operation

Decision

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Example - Problem 2
Should Union Carbide build a plant at Bhophal? Investigate –

Laws.
Safety standards.
Cost considerations.

Michel Owayjan CCE 490 - A: ENGINEERING ETHICS 11

Union Carbide
-Flow Chart

Michel Owayjan CCE 490 - A: ENGINEERING ETHICS 12

 Ethical problem solving techniques

Case Study Example

Addressing Airbus 330-300

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 Incident summary
Airbus A330-300 departed Vancouver
Substantial amount of smoke and vapor seen emitting from Engine 2
Emergency landing in Vancouver
Engine 2 shut down
Inspection showed fuel was leaking

Michel Owayjan CCE 490 - A: ENGINEERING ETHICS 14

 Causal factors
1. Incorrect entry on maintenance office duty board
◦ Did not follow trouble shooting manual (TSM)
◦ Unnecessarily removed LP fuel line from fuel/oil heat
exchanger
2. Unfamiliarity with Equipment
◦ Retainer hidden from view
◦ Did not use Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM)
3. Engine vibration caused detachment of fuel/oil heat exchanger
LP fuel line
◦ Substantial leak from Engine 2

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 Line drawing – causal factor 1, 2
Negative Paradigm Positive Paradigm

Compliance with P Compliance with

TSM and AMM was TSM and AMM was
not achieved. achieved.

Negative Paradigm: The workers do not follow the Trouble Shooting Manual and
the Aircraft Maintenance Manual resulting in troubleshooting and performing
maintenance without reference
Positive Paradigm: The workers followed the Trouble Shooting Manual and
Aircraft Maintenance Manual so that all troubleshooting and maintenance is
performed with proper reference and guidance.

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Flow charting – causal factor 3
Preventive Yes
Yes Yes
fuel leak Proper High-Power Fuel Leak
inspection inspection with Engine Run Detection
needed on use of elevated Performed? Implemented?
aircraft platform?

No No No

Perform Perform Implement Fuel Leak

inspection with High-Power Engine Run Detection
use of elevated
platform

Preventive Fuel
Leak Inspection
Performed

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Ethical problem solving techniques:

Case Study Example

Bell’s Amusement Park
Tulsa, Oklahoma

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Accident summary
April 20, 1997 – Two roller coaster cars collided on the
Wildcat roller coaster
The two cars were going up a hill and an anti-rollback device
failed to keep the first car on the track and it slipped back and
crashed into the car behind it.
The roller coaster was inspected two weeks before this
accident.
One person was killed and five others were injured.

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Causal factors
1. The “chain dog” was riding up on the edge of the
chain trough.
◦ If the chain rides up the side of the car and onto the
left leg of the chain near the top of the hill, the chain
can disengage and the car could slip.
2. Maintenance records/maintenance of the roller
coaster.
◦ There was no documentation for scheduled or
nonscheduled maintenance of The Wildcat, or for
operating procedures.

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Flowchart – The “chain dog” Factor
Has the chain dog been No The Wildcat can
changed? operate.

Yes

No A maintenance worker
Has someone inspected the
must inspect the
changes?
changes.

Yes

No Fix the height of the

Is the “chain dog” at the proper “chain dog” and
height? inspect again.

Yes

The Wildcat can operate

properly.

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 Line Drawing-- Maintenance

Negative Paradigm Positive Paradigm

P 3 4 2 5 1
Proper documentation
Documentation hinders
exists and the roller
the performance of each
coaster is acceptable.
car.
1. Every time The Wildcat breaks down, it is documented.
2. Operating procedure are followed for the most part.
3. Operators haven’t been trained at all.
4. Changes made to the car don’t need to be written down.
5. Proper part replacements should be followed.

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Ethical problem solving techniques:

CASE STUDY EXAMPLE

WHITESHELL AIR SERVICE LTD.
AIRPLANE ENGINE FAILURE

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Accident summary:
Airplane departed Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba without incident
After plane was leveled in air, large backfire heard and loss of engine
power
Pilot landed plane in swampy area with minor and severe injuries to
passengers

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Causal factors
Incorrect installation of airplane parts
◦ Cylinder push rod tube
◦ Valve adjustment screw protrusion beyond limits
◦ Caused damage to valve train – exhaust valve would not
open overtime
Failure to properly inspect airplane
◦ Field Barometric Power Reference Check
◦ Valve clearance checks on 400-hr schedule

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Line drawing: Incorrect installation of parts
NP PP

P 2 3 1
Airplane parts are Airplane parts
installed incorrectly are installed
causing immediate, correctly
fatal damage

1. Parts are installed incorrectly, but corrected immediately

2. Parts are installed incorrectly, and cause minor damage overtime
3. Parts are installed incorrectly, but cause no damage overtime

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Flow chart: Failure to properly inspect plane

Should plane be
inspected?

Have parts No Had last Yes Has pilot Yes Inspect plane
been Check within noticed Irregular
before flying
replaced? 400 hrs? Sounds?

Yes No No
Inspect plane Inspect plane Inspection
before flying before flying is not needed

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Gifts and bribes
When does a gift become a bribe?
◦ Bribery: Something offered or given to someone in a
position of trust in order to induce him/her to act
dishonestly
Where is the line which separates appropriate and
inappropriate gifts?
◦ Look for answers in written company policy and ethical
codes

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Which of the following situations
are acceptable?
Accepting a gift from a sales representative:
◦ Five dollar coffee mug
◦ $350 crystal bowl engraved with company logo
◦ Same bowl without engraving

Attending a lunch meeting with a sales representative:

◦ Each of you pays for your own meal:
◦ At a fast food restaurant
◦ At an expensive bistro

Sales representative pays for your meal:

◦ At a fast food restaurant
◦ At an expensive bistro

Michel Owayjan CCE 490 - A: ENGINEERING ETHICS 29

Case Studies
The solution to a case study must always be in essay form
◦ A correct answer that is in point form will result in a failing grade on the
Professional Practice Examination
◦ All forms of human communication consist of:
◦ An introduction including relevant background
◦ A body
◦ A conclusion, including a summary and recommendations

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Ethics
Case Study
Steps in solving a case study:
◦ Who are the main players involved?
◦ What are their relationships?
◦ Identify relevant actions
◦ What are the relevant statutes, codes, regulations?
◦ Determine professional misconduct and ethical responses

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Ethics
Case Study
Steps in solving a case study:
The Players involved
Their Relationships
Identify their actions
What Statutes apply?
Determine professional Misconduct and ethical responses

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Ethics
Case Study 1
A case study from a previous Professional Practice Examination:

McGee1 is a professional engineer who is employed on a full-time basis by

EngrCIS, Inc., a large engineering firm. However, for a number of reasons,
McGee is unhappy and for some time has been thinking about looking for a new
job. Although McGee’s current employment at EngrCIS provides good pay and
interesting work, McGee is finding it difficult to work with DiNozzo1, a
professional engineer who is McGee’s supervisor at EngrCIS.

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Ethics
Case Study 1
In the year since McGee joined the company, DiNozzo has frequently made
derogatory jokes and remarks about McGee’s race and religion—sometimes
even in meetings with other engineers and clients. On many occasions, McGee
has informed DiNozzo that such remarks are offensive, hurtful, and
inappropriate and has asked DiNozzo to stop. DiNozzo refuses to do so and says
that McGee should “toughen up and learn to take a joke” if McGee expects to
have a successful career at EngrCIS.

Recently, McGee met with a professional engineer colleague, Sciuto1, who is a

vice president at NYCE, Ltd., another engineering company. Upon hearing that
McGee was interested in considering other opportunities, Sciuto offered McGee
a part-time job to work in the evenings and on weekends on a trial basis as an
engineer for NYCE. McGee would work under Sciuto’s supervision with the
intent that in a few months, if McGee preferred working at NYCE, McGee would
resign from EngrCIS and become a full-time employee of NYCE.

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Ethics
The Players
The players are:
◦ McGee, P.Eng.
◦ DiNozzo , P.Eng.
◦ EngrCIS
◦ Sciuto, P.Eng.
◦ NYCE

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Ethics
Relationships
Their relationships are:
◦ McGee and DiNozzo are employed by EngrCIS
◦ DiNozzo is McGee’s supervisor
◦ McGee and his collegue
◦ The colleague is a V.P. at NYCE
◦ McGee has the option of
contracting with NYCE

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Ethics
Identify the Actions
The players are:
◦ DiNozzo has been harassing McGee
◦ The V.P. has made a contract offer to McGee

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Ethics
Statutes, Codes,
Regulations, etc.
In this case, the relevant statutes, codes,
regulations, etc., include:
◦ The Professional Engineers Act, including
◦ The requirement that a Certificate of Authorization is required for any engineering services
offered to the public
◦ The Code of Ethics
◦ The definition of professional misconduct
◦ The Ontario Human Rights Code
◦ The Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act

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Ethics
Statutes, Codes,
Regulations, etc.
To the practitioner’s employer, he or she
◦ Has a duty to act at all times with fairness and
loyalty (77.1);
◦ Shall act in professional engineering matters
◦ As a faithful agent or trustee, and
◦ Shall regard as confidential information obtained by the practitioner as to the business affairs,
technical methods or processes of an employer (77.3); and
◦ Shall avoid or disclose a conflict of interest that might influence the practitioner’s actions or
judgment (77.3)

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Ethics
Statutes, Codes,
Regulations, etc.
To other members of the profession, he or she
◦ Has a duty to act at all times with fairness, loyalty (77.1),
courtesy and good faith (77.7);
◦ Shall not
◦ Accept an engagement to review the work of another for the same employer except with the
knowledge of the other practitioner or except where the connection of the other practitioner
with the work has been terminated, nor
◦ Maliciously injure the reputation of another practitioner (77.7); and
◦ Shall
◦ Give proper credit for engineering work,
◦ Provide opportunity for professional development and advancement of the practitioner’s
associates and subordinates, and
◦ Extend the effectiveness of the profession through the interchange of engineering
information and experience (77.7).

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Ethics
Statutes, Codes,
Regulations, etc.
Certificate of authorization
12. (2) No person shall offer to the public or engage in the business
of providing to the public services that are within the practice of
professional engineering except under and in accordance with a certificate of
authorization.

◦ Both during the mid-term and final examinations of this course, you will have
access to the Code of Ethics and the definition of professional misconduct—
you will be required to quote the appropriate item
◦ You will not be required to quote other section numbers from the
Professional Engineers Act or the regulations

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Ethics
Statutes, Codes,
Regulations, etc.
The Human Rights Code prohibits discrimination
on the the following grounds:
Race Ancestry
Place of origin
Colour Ethnic origin
Citizenship
Creed Sex
Sexual orientation
Gender identity Gender expression Age
Marital status Family status
Disability
Record of Offences Reprisal
Association
The receipt of public assistance

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Ethics
 Statutes, Codes,
Regulations, etc.
Discrimination, n.
The action of discriminating; the perceiving, noting, or
making a distinction
or difference between things; a distinction (made with
the mind, or in action).

Specifically, the making of distinctions prejudicial to

people of a different race
or colour from oneself; racial discrimination.

Oxford English Dictionary

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Ethics
Statutes, Codes,
Regulations, etc.
Policies, violence and harassment
32.0.1(1)(b) An employer shall prepare a policy with respect to
harassment.
Program, harassment
32.0.6 (1) An employer shall develop and maintain a program to implement the
policy with respect to workplace harassment required under clause 32.0.1(1)(b).
Contents
(2) Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), the program shall,
(a) include measures and procedures for workers to report incidents of
workplace harassment to the employer or supervisor;
(b) set out how the employer will investigate and deal with incidents and
complaints of workplace harassment; and
(c) include any prescribed elements.

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Ethics
Determine Professional Misconduct
and Ethical Responses
One instance of professional misconduct is
DiNozzo’s harassment of McGee
◦ Such harassment constitutes a violation of the
Ontario Human Rights Code as well as professional
misconduct
◦ For whatever reason, it seems that McGee
has not approached H.R. at EngrCIS
◦ Given he appears to enjoy working at EngrCIS,
it would be reasonable to give them the
opportunity to correct this violation
◦ If H.R. does not respond, McGee should
file a complaint with PEO
◦ Depending on the severity, a last step might
be to file a human rights complaint

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Ethics
Determine Professional Misconduct
and Ethical Responses
McGee is being offered a contract by NYCE
◦ The scenario suggests that he would be
providing engineering services to NYCE
◦ Providing such services requires a Certificate of Authorization
◦ Providing such services without a C. of A.
would be a breach of Section 12(2) the Act
◦ A breach of the Act is professional misconduct
under 72(2)(g)
◦ McGee should acquire a C. of A. if he intends
to enter into such a contract

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Ethics
Determine Professional Misconduct
and Ethical Responses
McGee is being offered a contract by NYCE
◦ The scenario suggests that he would be
providing engineering services to NYCE
◦ The Code of Ethics requires McGee to
◦ Provide, in writing, a statement to NYCE that he is
employed by EngrCIS (even if this is obvious)
◦ Ensure that there is no conflict in the work
performed
◦ Inform EngrCIS that he is entering into a contract
with NYCE
◦ Failure to do so would be professional
misconduct under 72(2)(i) as an
undisclosed conflict of interest

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Ethics
Case Study 1
If you are simply required to respond to a case study, the response
would be an essay-based which would cover the points provided in the
past eleven pages
◦ Every essay must have an introduction, a body, and a conclusion
◦ The introduction would briefly cover the situation and explain the approach
that the body of the essay will take
◦ In each case, we will look at the obligations under the Code of Ethics and
issues with respect to any statutes that may have been breached
◦ We conclude by summarizing the actions that should be taken

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Ethics