ENGINEERING LAWS, CONTRACTS &

ETHICS
MIDTERM – REVIEWER
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Lesson 2: Engineering laws, Distinctions:
contracts, and Ethics
- Actions we take to achieve
TOPICS our goals should be
- Ethics consistent with our ethical
- Engineering Ethics constraints.
- Questionable Engineering - Some acts are ethical but
practices illegal; other acts are legal
- Entry to the profession but unethical.
- Relationship (general public,
profession & engineering Reasons Ethics matter in
society, client & employer, & engineering:
engineers)
- Moral dilemmas - Promotes safety.
- Professions - Enhances quality.
- Ethical Issues - Improves public opinion.
- Code of ethics - Safeguards ongoing
- Fundamental canons interests
- Rules of practice - Fosters sustainability.
- Professional Obligations
- Protect other engineers.
- Secure company assets.
ETHICS
ENGINEERING ETHICS
Discipline relating to what
is good/bad, right/wrong, or The study of moral issues
with moral duty and obligations. and decisions confronting
individuals and obligations
Group of moral principles engaged in engineering.
to the conduct of individual and
his profession. The study of related
questions about morals ideals,
Activity and area of character, policies, and
inquiry. relationships of people and
Behaving ethically: corporations involves in
technological activity.
- Being honest
- Keeping promises The field of applied ethics
- Doing your job well which examines and set standards
- Not stealing for engineers obligation.
ENGINEERING LAWS, CONTRACTS &
ETHICS
MIDTERM – REVIEWER
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Questionable Engineering - Identification with
Practices: legitimate enterprise.
- Continuous awareness of
1. Forging – inventing
engineering laws.
some of all of the
- Avoid discussing
research data.
engineering matters in
2. Plagiarism –
public.
misappropriating
C. Relationship to client
intellectual property.
and employer:
3. Conflicts of interest
- Protection to client or
(actual & potential)
employer.
ENTRY TO THE PROFESSION - Quality and dedicated
service.
Aspirant to practice should - Reasonable professional
observe his relation to: fees and commissions,
- General public. rebates, percentage, etc.
- Profession and D. Relationship with
engineering society. engineers:
- Client and employer - Protection of fellow
- With engineers. engineers.
- Fairness and tolerance
A. Relationship to the - Merits not due.
general public: (Acts - Review of colleague’s
enjoined and must be work
observed by an engineer) - Controversies with
- Avoid misinformation. colleagues
- Avoidance of rendering - Solicitation of
opinions in public on undertakings or clients
unverified engineering - Signing plans and
matters. specifications, etc.
- Guard against public ENGINEERING ETHICS
health and safety.
B. Relationship to the Is not about preaching
profession and virtues so that the immoral and
engineering society: moral will adopt an established set
- Loyalty of beliefs.
ENGINEERING LAWS, CONTRACTS &
ETHICS
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Means to increase the - Identify the relevant moral
ability of concerned engineers to factors and reasons.
responsibility confront moral - Gather all available facts.
issues raised by technological - Rank the moral
activity. considerations in order of
importance as they apply
Identifies a specific
to the situation.
precedence with respect to the
- Consider alternative
engineer’s consideration for the
courses of action.
public, clients, employers, and the
- Talk with colleagues, seek
profession.
their suggestions and
Achieved great attention alternative practices on the
and led engineers to gain an dilemma.
increased sense of professional - Arrive at a carefully
responsibilities. reasoned judgment.
PROFESSIONS
MORAL DILEMMAS
Synonym for “JOB” or
Situations in which 2 or occupation. Means merely to earn
more moral obligations, duties, one’s living through it.
rights, goods, or ideals come into
conflict with one another. Engineering as profession:
provide means by which to earn a
3 Sorts of complexities and living. Forms of work involving
murkiness involved in moral advanced expertise, self-
situations: regulation, and concerted service
to the public good.
- There are problems of
vagueness. Special criteria:
- There are problems of
conflicting reasons. - Knowledge
- There are problems of - Organization
disagreement. - Public

Steps in confronting moral (Ethical) Profession:

dilemmas: - Special Expertise
- Shared moral values
- Dependent public
ENGINEERING LAWS, CONTRACTS &
ETHICS
MIDTERM – REVIEWER
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- Self-regulation
- Promote and protect right
actions.
ETHICAL ISSUES
Whistleblowing – has the duty
to report to the appropriate
authority a possible risk to others
from a client or employer. This
duty overrides the duty to a client
and or employer.
Other ethical issues:
1. Relationship with clients,
consultants, competitors,
and contractors.
2. Ensuring legal compliance
by clients, client’s
contractors, and others.
3. Conflict of interest.
4. Bribery and kickbacks
(gift, meals, services, and
entertainment).
5. Treatment of confidential
or proprietary information.
6. Consideration of the
employer’s assets.
7. Outside
employment/activities
(moonlighting)
1. Provide positive stimulus
for ethical conduct.
2. Helpful advice concerning
the primary obligation of
engineers.
3. Guidepost in interpreting
ethical dilemmas.
CODE OF ETHICS
Preamble:
- Engineering is a crucial
and learned profession
with high expectations of
honesty and integrity.
- Engineers directly
influence the quality of life
for all individuals.
- Their services demand
honesty, impartiality,
fairness, equity, and
dedication to protecting
public health, safety, and
welfare.
- Engineers are held to a
standard of professional
behavior that mandates
adherence to the highest
ethical principles.

CODE OF ETHICS I. Fundamental

Canons:
Purposes for Code of Ethics for
Engineers: Engineers, in the fulfillment of
their professional duties, shall:
ENGINEERING LAWS, CONTRACTS &
ETHICS
MIDTERM – REVIEWER
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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
to enhance the honor, reputation,
and usefulness of the profession.
II. Rules of Practice:
1. Engineers shall hold
paramount the safety, health,
and welfare of the public.
2. Engineers shall perform
services only in the areas of
their competence.
3. Engineers shall issue public
statements only in an
objective and truthful manner.
4. Engineers shall act for each
employer or client as faithful
agents or trustees.
5. Engineers shall avoid
deceptive acts.
II. Professional
Obligations:
1. Engineers shall be guided in
all their relations by the
highest standards of honesty
and integrity.
2. Engineers shall at all times
strive to serve the public
interest.
3. Engineers shall avoid all
conduct or practice that
deceives the public.
4. Engineers must not reveal
confidential information
about their current or past
clients, employers, or public
bodies without their consent.
5. Engineers shall not be
influenced in their
professional duties by
conflicting interests.
6. Engineers must not try to
secure employment,
promotions, or professional
opportunities by unfairly
criticizing other engineers or
using improper or
questionable methods.
7. Engineers must not harm
other engineers' professional
reputation or prospects,
directly or indirectly, and
should report unethical or
ENGINEERING LAWS, CONTRACTS &
ETHICS
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illegal practices to the - Problem Analysis
appropriate authorities.
Should include identification
8. Engineers must take of relevant problem areas and
personal responsibility for interrelationships among
their professional activities. them. This help to pinpoint
However, they can seek root causes and identify
indemnification for services, solutions covering all
except in cases of gross problematic area.
negligence, when their
b. Assumptions
interests cannot be otherwise
protected. Careful not make
controversial assumptions
9. Engineers shall give credit
that would render analysis
for engineering work to those
valid. Assure all assumptions
to whom credit is due, and will
have some basis and justify
recognize the proprietary
them.
interests of others.
Samples: availability of
ADDITIONAL: CASE financial resource, absence of
ANALYSIS threat from new industry
Components: entrants, pleasant labor-
management relations.
a. Situationer
In other words, make positive
- Background
assumptions.
Summary of company’s
c. Alternatives
background highlighting
critical information leading to Alternative courses of
the analysis proper. action should identify each
major concern. Specific
- Problem Statement solution to specific issues is
Should include definition of expected. This help ensure
short-term/immediate, analysis is not superficial.
medium term and long-term d. Recommendation
concerns in which company
should address.
ENGINEERING LAWS, CONTRACTS &
ETHICS
MIDTERM – REVIEWER
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Includes selected course
of action. Explain what you
intend to do which the Cons
associated with the selected
alternatives.

e. Implementation plan

Detailed enumeration of
activities that should be
carried out I the process of
implementing the
recommendation. Time frame
should be specified. Gantt
Chart or PERT/CPM should
help and make sure schedules
are realistic.