Engineering Ethics

Profession, Code of Ethics, PE Act

Emeritus Prof. G.P. Rangaiah

Department of Chemical & Biomolecular
Engineering @ NUS

Dr. GP Rangaiah
 Profession, Code of Ethics, PE Act
Contents
➢ Consumer Product Scenario

➢ What is a Profession?

➢ Is Engineering a Profession?

➢ Code of Ethics

➢ IES and Rules for Professional Conduct

➢ PE Act and Code of Professional Conduct

➢ Case Study

Dr. GP Rangaiah 2
 Profession, Code of Ethics, PE Act
Learning Outcomes
✓ Describe attributes of a profession

✓ Assess whether engineering is a profession

✓ Characterize role of a professional society

✓ Outline and use code of ethics

Reference: Chapter 2 in "Engineering Ethics", C.B.

Fleddermann, 4th Edition, Prentice-Hall.

Dr. GP Rangaiah 3
 Consumer Product Scenario
➢ A large company launches a product.
➢ Some find a tiny defect in the product, which does
not affect 99.9% of product functions.
• Is – 3^2 = – 9 or + 9? Is – (+3^2) = – 9 or + 9?
• For clarity, should it be coded as – (+3)^2 or – 3*3 or … ?

➢ Company denies existence of the tiny defect.

➢ Increased media coverage of the tiny defect.
➢ Company acknowledges existence of the tiny defect.
➢ Product buyers demand replacement, but the
company rejects it.

Dr. GP Rangaiah 4
 Consumer Product Scenario
➢ Public learnt that the company was aware of the tiny
defect before product launch, and has been working
to rectify it.
➢ Increased demand for replacement of product.
➢ Company agrees to replace the product for those
requesting it.
➢ In the above, is there only PR issue or involve any
unethical action by the company and/or engineers
involved?
➢ Analysis requires Profession and Code of Ethics.

Dr. GP Rangaiah 5
 What is a Profession?

Any difference among

Job, Occupation and Profession?

❑ Job: any work for hire, regardless of skill and

responsibility
▪ Engineering is more than a Job.

❑ Occupation: employment to make a living.

▪ Engineering is more than an Occupation.

❑ Profession
▪ Engineering is a Profession.

Dr. GP Rangaiah 6
 What is a Profession?

❑ Dictionary Meanings

▪ Profession:
• A paid occupation, especially one that involves prolonged
training and a formal qualification
• An act of declaring that one has a particular feeling or
quality, especially when this is not the case

▪ Professional:
• Relating or belonging to a profession
• Engaged in a specified activity as one's main paid
occupation rather than as an amateur.

Dr. GP Rangaiah 7
 What is a Profession?

Four Attributes of a Profession

based on Consensus from Many Studies

ATTRIBUTE 1: Work that requires sophisticated skills,

use of judgment and exercise of discretion. Also, work
is not routine and is not capable of being mechanized.
Judgment: making significant decisions based on formal training
and experience
Discretion: maintaining confidentiality and making a decision
Mechanization: can computers, software or robots replace
engineers?

Dr. GP Rangaiah 8
 What is a Profession?

ATTRIBUTE 2: Membership in the profession requires

extensive formal education, not simply practical
training or apprenticeship.

ATTRIBUTE 3: The public allows special societies or

organizations that are controlled by members of the
profession to: (i) set standards for admission to the
profession, (ii) set standards of conduct for members
and (iii) enforce these standards.

ATTRIBUTE 4: Significant public good from the

practice of the profession.
Dr. GP Rangaiah 9
 What is a Profession?

❑ No mention of compensation in the attributes.

❑ Professionals are well compensated?!

❑ Professional Societies
▪ Social-contract model: for the public good
▪ Business model: for the benefit of members

▪ Which of the above models does an engineering

society fit in?
▪ Name another professional society. Does it seem
to follow either or both the above models?

Dr. GP Rangaiah 10
 What is a Profession?
❑ Based on the 4 Attributes:
➢ Is Medicine a profession?
➢ Is Law a profession?
➢ Is Engineering a profession?
➢ Is Teaching a profession?
➢ Is Accountancy a profession?
➢ Is Carpentry a profession?
➢ Is Plumbing a profession?
Dr. GP Rangaiah
ATTRIBUTE 1: Work that requires
sophisticated skills, use of
judgment and exercise of
discretion. Also, work is not routine
and cannot be mechanized.
ATTRIBUTE 2: Membership in the
profession requires extensive
formal education, not simply
practical training or apprenticeship.
ATTRIBUTE 3: The public allows
special societies or organizations
that are controlled by members of
the profession (i) to set standards
for admission to the profession, (ii)
to set standards of conduct for
members and (iii) to enforce these
standards.
ATTRIBUTE 4: Significant public
good from the practice of the
profession.
11
 Code of Ethics

❑ A Code of Ethics expresses the rights, duties and

obligations of members of the profession (i.e.,
professional society)

❑ Also, there are Codes of Ethics for employees of

corporations, universities, students etc.

❑ Code of Conduct
❑ Rules of Professional Conduct and Ethics

Dr. GP Rangaiah 12
 Code of Ethics

❑ A Code of Ethics
▪ Provides a framework for ethical judgment for a
professional.
▪ Starting point for ethical decision making.
▪ Expresses commitment to ethical conduct shared
by members of a profession, thus creates a good
environment for ethical behavior.
▪ Defines roles and responsibilities of professionals.
▪ Helps to bolster an individual’s position with regard
to certain activity.
▪ Indicates to others that the profession is serious
about responsible, professional conduct.
Dr. GP Rangaiah 13
 Code of Ethics

❑ A Code of Ethics
▪ No new ethical principles but reiterate standards for
responsible (engineering) practice in a coherent,
comprehensive and accessible manner.
▪ States the ways of applying moral and ethical
principles to professional practice.
▪ Static or evolving?
▪ It is not a substitute for sound judgment.
▪ It should not be used for ‘window dressing’ by the
professional society.

Dr. GP Rangaiah 14
 Code of Ethics

❑ Limitations of Codes of Ethics

▪ Only a framework for ethical problem solving and
does not cover all possible ethical situations.
▪ It is not a legal document but members violating its
provisions may be expelled from the society.
▪ Not all engineers are members of the society.
▪ Members may not follow society’s Code of Ethics.
▪ Members of the society may or may not be aware of
society’s Code of Ethics, and may not consult them.
▪ Should a Code of Ethics be concise or long?

Dr. GP Rangaiah 15
 Codes of Ethics

❑ Objections to Codes of Ethics

▪ Internal conflicts within a Code of Ethics – which of
the following has higher priority?
• Engineers’ duty to their employers
• Safety and health of the public
• Environmental impact
▪ They don’t give a method for resolving the conflict.
▪ They can be coercive (i.e., foster ethical behaviour
with a stick rather than with a carrot).
▪ Do they protect members, who act ethically but
against their employers’ interest?
• See Section 2.3.6 for one example (BART – Bay Area
Rapid Transit organization)

Dr. GP Rangaiah 16
 Codes of Ethics

❑ IEEE Code of Ethics (Appendix A)

We, the members of the IEEE, in recognition of the importance of
our technologies 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:

1. To accept responsibility in making 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 avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest whenever

possible, and to disclose them to affected parties when they do
exist;
IEEE: The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.
Dr. GP Rangaiah 17
 Codes of Ethics

3. To be honest and realistic in stating claims or estimates based

on available data;

4. To reject bribery in all its forms;

5. To improve the understanding of technology, its appropriate

application, and potential consequences;

6. To maintain and improve our technical competence and to

undertake technological tasks for others only if qualified by
training or experience, or after full disclosure of pertinent
limitations;

Dr. GP Rangaiah 18
 Codes of Ethics

7. To seek, accept, and offer honest criticism of technical work,

to acknowledge and correct errors, and to credit properly
the contributions of others;

8. To treat fairly all persons regardless of such factors as race,

religion, gender, disability, age, or national origin;

9. To avoid injuring others, their property, reputation, or

employment by false or malicious action;

10. To assist colleagues and co-workers in their professional

development and to support them in following this code of
ethics.
Duty towards Employers?

Dr. GP Rangaiah 19
 Codes of Ethics

❑ NSPE Code of Ethics (Appendix A, p. 158 to

162, Fleddermann)

▪ 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.
(continued)
NSPE: National Society of Professional Engineers
Dr. GP Rangaiah 20
 Codes of Ethics
▪ Fundamental Canons
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.
Protecting the Environment?
Dr. GP Rangaiah 21
 Codes of Ethics

▪ Rules of Practice (~ 2 pages)

•More details of each of Canons 1 to 5

▪ Professional Obligations (~2 pages)

•More details of Canon 6

▪ Study one or two Codes of Ethics of IEEE,

NSPE, ASME, ASCE, AIChE and JSCE in
Appendix A of Fleddermann.

Dr. GP Rangaiah 22
 IES and Rules for Professional Conduct

❑ IES - Institution of Engineers Singapore

❑ Rules for Professional Conduct at

https://www.ies.org.sg/Membership/Rules-for-
Professional-Conduct

Dr. GP Rangaiah 23
 IES and Rules for Professional Conduct

The rules shall apply to all forms of engineering employment, and

for the purpose of these Rules the term “Employer” shall include
the term “Client”.

All members of the Institution are enjoined to conform with the

letter and the spirit of the Rules set out hereunder.

(1) A member, in his responsibility to his Employer and to the

profession, shall have full regard to the public interest.

(2) A member shall order his conduct so as to uphold the dignity,

standing and reputation of the profession.

Dr. GP Rangaiah 24
 IES and Rules for Professional Conduct
(3) A member shall discharge his duties to his Employer with
complete fidelity. In whatever capacity he is engaged, he shall
assiduously apply his skill and knowledge in the interests of his
Employer.

If he is confronted by a problem which calls for knowledge and

experience which he does not possess, he shall not hesitate to
inform his Employer of the fact, and shall make an appropriate
recommendation as to the desirability of obtaining further advice.

He shall not accept remuneration for services rendered other

than from his Employer or with his Employer’s permission.

(4) If called upon to give evidence or otherwise to speak on a

matter of fact, he shall speak what he believes to be the truth,
irrespective of its effect on his own interest, the interests of other
Engineers, or other sectional interest.
Dr. GP Rangaiah 25
 IES and Rules for Professional Conduct

(5) A member shall not maliciously or recklessly injure or attempt

to injure, whether directly or indirectly, the professional reputation,
prospect or business of another Engineer.

(6) A member shall not improperly canvass or solicit

professional employment nor offer to make by way of commission
or otherwise payment for the introduction of such employment.

(7) A member shall not, in self-laudatory language or in any

manner derogatory to the dignity of the profession, advertise or
write articles for the publication, nor shall he authorize
advertisements to be written or published by any other person.

Dr. GP Rangaiah 26
 IES and Rules for Professional Conduct
(8) A member, without disclosing the fact to his Employer in
writing, shall not be a director of nor have substantial financial
interest in, nor be agent for any company, firm or person
carrying on any contracting, consulting or manufacturing business
which is or may be involved in the work to which his employment
relates; nor shall he receive directly or indirectly any royalty,
gratuity or commission on any article or process used in or for the
purpose of the work in respect of which he is employed unless or
until such royalty, gratuity or commission has been authorized in
writing by his Employer.

He shall not report upon or make recommendation on any tender

from a company or firm in which he has any substantial interest or
on tenders which includes such a tender unless specifically
requested to do so in writing by his Employer. In this case, he shall
maintain an attitude of complete impartiality.
Dr. GP Rangaiah 27
 IES and Rules for Professional Conduct
(9) A member shall not use the advantages of a salaried position
to compete unfairly with Engineers in private practice nor use
unfairly the advantages of private practice to the detriment of
salaried engineers.

(10) A member shall not be convicted by a competent tribunal of

a criminal offense which in the opinion of the disciplinary body
renders him unfit to be a member shall be guilty of improper
conduct.

(11) A member shall not, directly or indirectly, attempt to

supplant another Engineer, nor shall he intervene or attempt to
intervene in or in connection with engineering work of any kind
which to his knowledge has been entrusted to another engineer.

Dr. GP Rangaiah 28
 IES and Rules for Professional Conduct
(12) A member shall not be the medium of payments made on
his Employer’s behalf unless so requested by his Employer, nor
shall he in connection with work on which he is employed place
contracts or orders except with the authority of and on behalf of
his Employer.

(13) When in a position of authority over other Engineers, he

shall take every care to afford to those under his direction every
reasonable opportunity to advance their knowledge and
experience.

He shall ensure that proper credit is given to any subordinate

who has contributed in any material way to work for which he is
responsible.

Dr. GP Rangaiah 29
 IES and Rules for Professional Conduct
(14) A member shall not use for his personal gain or advantage,
nor shall he disclose, any confidential information which he may
acquire as a result of special opportunities arising out of work for
his employer.

(15) In the preparation of plans, specification and contract

documents, and on the supervision of construction work, a
member shall assiduously watch and conserve the interest of his
employer.

However, in the interpretation of contract documents, he shall

maintain an attitude of scrupulous impartiality as between his
employer on the one hand, and the contractor on the other, and
shall, as far as he can, ensure that each party to the contract shall
discharge his respective duties and enjoy respective rights as set
down in the contract agreement.
Dr. GP Rangaiah 30
 PE Act and Code of Professional Conduct

❑ Professional Engineers Act

(https://sso.agc.gov.sg/Act/PEA1991)
▪ To establish the Professional Engineers Board,
▪ To provide for the registration of professional engineers,
▪ To regulate the qualifications and conduct of persons that
carry out professional engineering work, and
▪ To regulate corporations, partnerships, limited liability
partnerships and limited partnerships which supply
professional engineering services in Singapore.

➢ Professional Engineers Act 1991

➢ Revisions and amendments since then
➢ Professional Engineers (Amendment) Act 2017

Dr. GP Rangaiah 31
 PE Act and Code of Professional Conduct

PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS ACT

(CHAPTER 253, SECTION 36)

PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS (CODE OF

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND ETHICS)
RULES
(About 7 pages available at
https://sso.agc.gov.sg/SL/PEA1991-
R3?DocDate=20180112)

Dr. GP Rangaiah 32
 Profession, Code of Ethics, PE Act
Contents
➢ Consumer Product Scenario

➢ What is a Profession?

➢ Is Engineering a Profession?

➢ Code of Ethics

➢ IES and Rules for Professional Conduct

➢ PE Act and Code of Professional Conduct

➢ Case Study

Dr. GP Rangaiah 33
 Profession, Code of Ethics, PE Act
Learning Outcomes
✓ Describe attributes of a profession

✓ Assess whether engineering is a profession

✓ Characterize role of a professional society

✓ Outline and use code of ethics

Reference: Chapter 2 in "Engineering Ethics", C.B.

Fleddermann, 4th Edition, Prentice-Hall.

Dr. GP Rangaiah 34
 Profession, Code of Ethics, PE Act

❑ Suggestions for Self-Study

1. Read the Case: Runway Concrete at Denver

International Airport (pages 30 to 32, Fleddermann)

2. Attempt Problems 2.17 to 2.19 on page 36,

Fleddermann

Dr. GP Rangaiah 35
 Case Study
The Intel Pentium ® Chip
In late 1994, the media began to report that there was a flaw in
the new Pentium microprocessor produced by Intel. A
microprocessor is the heart of a personal computer and controls
all operations and calculations that take place. A flaw in the
Pentium was especially significant since it was used in 80% of
personal computers produced in the world at that time.
Flaws in a complicated integrated circuit such as the Pentium,
which at the time contained over one million transistors, are
common. However, most flaws are undetectable by the user and
don’t affect the computer operation. Many of these flaws are
easily compensated for through software. The flaw that came to
light in 1994 was different: it was detectable by the user. It was in
the floating-point unit (FPU) and caused a wrong answer when
double-precision arithmetic, a common operation, was performed.
Dr. GP Rangaiah 36
 Case Study
A standard test was published to determine whether a user’s
microprocessor was flawed. Using spreadsheet software, the user
was to take the number 4,195,835, multiply it by 3,145,727, and
then divide that result by 3,145,727. The result should be
4,195,835. However, with the flawed FPU, result of this
calculation was 4,195,579. Depending on the application, this
0.006% error might be very significant.
At first, Intel’s response to these reports was to deny that there
was any problem with the chip. When it became clear that this
assertion was not accurate, Intel switched its policy and stated
that, although there was a defect in the chip, it was insignificant
and vast majority of users would never notice it. The chip would
be replaced for free only for users who could demonstrate that
they needed an unflawed version of the chip. There is some logic
to this policy from Intel’s point of view, since over two million
computers had already been sold with the defective chip.
Dr. GP Rangaiah 37
 Case Study
This approach didn’t satisfy most Pentium owners. How can a user
predict whether you will have a future application where this flaw
might be significant? IBM, a major Pentium user, cancelled sales
of all IBM computers containing the flawed chip. Finally, after much
negative publicity and outcry from Pentium users, Intel agreed to
replace the flawed chip with an unflawed version for any customer
who asked to have it replaced.
Long before news of the flaw surfaced in the press, Intel was aware
of the problem and had already corrected it in subsequent versions.
However, it continued to sell flawed chips and, based on its early
insistence that the flaw did not present a significant problem to
users, seemingly planned to do so until the new version was
available and stocks of the flawed one were exhausted. Finally,
damage caused was fixed as the media reports of the problem died
down and customers were able to get unflawed chips. Intel had a
write-off of 475 million $ to solve this problem.
Dr. GP Rangaiah 38
 Case Study
What did Intel learn from this experience? The early designs for
new chips continue to have flaws, and sometimes these flaws are
not detected until the product is already in use by consumers.
However, Intel’s approach to these problems has changed. It now
seems to feel that problems need to be fixed immediately. In
addition, the decision is now based on the consumer’s perception
of the significance of the flaw, rather than on Intel’s opinion.
Similar flaws were found in 1997 in the early versions of Pentium II
and Pro processors. This time, Intel immediately confirmed that the
flaw existed and offered customers software that would correct it.
Other companies seem to have benefited from Intel’s experience.
For example, Intuit, a leading manufacturer of tax preparation and
financial software, called a news conference in March 1995 to
apologize for flaws in its TurboTax software that had become
apparent earlier in that year. In addition to the apology, they
offered consumers replacements for the defective software.
Dr. GP Rangaiah 39
 Case Study
Problem 2.8: Use IEEE Code of Ethics (or any other
code) to analyze this case. Pay special attention to issues
of accurate representation of engineered products and to
safety issues. Discuss any shortcomings of the Code for
application in this case.

Problem 2.9: When a product is sold, is there an

implication that it will work as advertised?

Problem 2.10: Should you/company reveal defect(s) in a

product to consumers? Why or why not?

Dr. GP Rangaiah 40
 Case Study
Problem 2.11: Should a company replace defective
products even if customers won’t recognize the defect?
Why or why not?

Problem 2.12: How thorough should testing be? Is it ever

possible to say that no defect exists in a product or
structure?

Problem 2.16: What responsibilities did the engineers,

who were aware of the flaw, have before the chip was
sold? After the chips began to be sold? After the flaw
became apparent?

Dr. GP Rangaiah 41
 Case Study
Problem 2.8: Use IEEE Code of Ethics (or any other code) to analyze this case.
Pay special attention to issues of accurate representation of engineered products
and to safety issues. Discuss any shortcomings of the Code for application in this
case.

➢ Main issues: (i) flaw in the chip, (ii) its impact, and (iii) how the
problem was handled by engineers, managers or company?
➢ Will the flaw in the Pentium chip lead to any harm to people?
Where will this chip be used? Who will use it?
➢ Which points/parts in IEEE Code of Ethics (given on the next 3
slides) are relevant to this case?
➢ Did the engineers who designed/produced acted as per IEEE
Code of Ethics?
➢ Are there any limitations of the Code?

Dr. GP Rangaiah 42
 Codes of Ethics

❑ IEEE Code of Ethics (Appendix A)

We, the members of the IEEE, in recognition of the importance of
our technologies 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:

1. To accept responsibility in making 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 avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest whenever

possible, and to disclose them to affected parties when they do
exist;
Dr. GP Rangaiah 43
 Codes of Ethics
3. To be honest and realistic in stating claims or estimates based
on available data;

4. To reject bribery in all its forms;

5. To improve the understanding of technology, its appropriate

application, and potential consequences;

6. To maintain and improve our technical competence and to

undertake technological tasks for others only if qualified by
training or experience, or after full disclosure of pertinent
limitations;

Dr. GP Rangaiah 44
 Codes of Ethics
7. To seek, accept, and offer honest criticism of technical work, to
acknowledge and correct errors, and to credit properly the
contributions of others;

8. To treat fairly all persons regardless of such factors as race,

religion, gender, disability, age, or national origin;

9. To avoid injuring others, their property, reputation, or

employment by false or malicious action;

10. To assist colleagues and co-workers in their professional

development and to support them in following this code of
ethics.

Dr. GP Rangaiah 45
 Case Study
Problem 2.9: When a product is sold, is there an implication that it
will work as advertised?

Yes. Many products come with a warranty.

Problem 2.10: Should you/company reveal defect(s) in a product

to consumers? Why or why not?

Defects imply that the product may not work as expected. Hence,
from ethical point of view, the company should reveal defects in a
product to consumers. Conflicting issues are costs involved and
company’s image.

In case the company does not reveal defects, then an engineer is

a very difficult position. There are more conflicting issues, namely,
loyalty to his employer and repercussions on her/his career.
Dr. GP Rangaiah 46
 Case Study
Problem 2.11: Should a company replace defective products even
if customers won’t recognize the defect? Why or why not?

Yes, the company should (offer to) replace defective products even
if customers won’t recognize the defect.

Reasons are: (a) potential harm to customers, (b) to be honest and

(c) for good image among customers.

But costs will be incurred in the short-term although revenue/profit

may increase in the future because of good image created.

Examples of product recall in the recent past.

Dr. GP Rangaiah 47
 Case Study
Problem 2.12: How thorough should testing be? Is it ever possible
to say that no defect exists in a product or structure?

The testing should be as per accepted engineering practices and in

the normal use of the product by customers.

It is not possible to say that no defect exists in a product or

structure. However, there are products or structures that have
performed as expected for many years or decades.

Dr. GP Rangaiah 48
 Case Study
Problem 2.16: What responsibilities did the engineers, who
were aware of the flaw, have before the chip was sold? After the
chips began to be sold? After the flaw became apparent?

Responsibilities of engineers before the chip was sold:

i. Act to correct the flaw,
ii. Discuss with colleagues,
iii. Discuss with the supervisor and/or management for time and
resources to correct the flaw and
iv. Recommend to postpone product sale

Dr. GP Rangaiah 49
 Case Study

Responsibilities of engineers after the flaw became apparent:

i. Develop a flaw-less chip,
ii. Discuss with colleagues and supervisor,
iii. Recommend to the management of the company to stop
product sale and to recall the flawed product, and
iv. In case the company does not follow above recommendations,
disclose them to the professional institution, government
and/or media, and/or stop working for the company.

Dr. GP Rangaiah 50