Engineering EthicsMinerva/MITACS Engineering Modules ProjectSubmitted by the University of ManitobaColleen Flather, P.Eng.

Introduction

Professional ethics depend on each person’s upbringing.

TRUE

FALSE

Introduction Ethical Canons Case Studies Lessons Learned Further Discussion References

Introduction

When making a decision that causes a person to question their beliefs about a topic, they are questioning their:

Ethics

Morals

Introduction Ethical Canons Case Studies Lessons Learned Further Discussion References

Ethical Canons

Test Your Knowledge:

Professional Engineer, Mr. A. Frank, submits drawings to the City of Winnipeg for the design of a spray

booth, for painting cars. The City’s Permits Department sends them back asking for corrections. Mr.

Frank re-submits the plans again; two of 20 corrections are made, and there are now an additional six

errors. After three more iterations of this process, the City of Winnipeg files a complaint about Mr.

Frank’s professional conduct, citing which Canon of Conduct?

Introduction Ethical Canons Case Studies Lessons Learned Further Discussion References

Ethical Canons

Test Your Knowledge:

You have been practising engineering for five years and have recently earned your professional stamp.

Your department head comes to you one morning and lets you know that there will be blasting being

done on a local highway project. He asks you to supervise, since you mentioned an explosives

workshop on your resume.

What do you do?

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Ethical Canons

The CEO of the company you work for has announced a plant tour for a group of dignitaries. You are responsible for the entire meeting: tour and presentation. To prepare for the tour what are some factors you should consider to keep your visitors safe?

Introduction Ethical Canons Case Studies Lessons Learned Further Discussion References

Ethical Canons

Test Your Knowledge:

You are managing an exterior building rehab for a local hospital. The project is finally running on time

and closer to budget after many months of delays and labour issues. There is political and corporate

pressure to complete the project on time for the grand re-opening: the Prime Minister will be at the

ribbon cutting ceremony. After a weekend away from site you attend the Monday morning project

meeting: all trades report good news. You undertake your weekly site safety investigation and notice

that the scaffolding being used is bent, rusty and missing bolts. The contractor in charge indicates

that this is the only scaffolding available on short notice. You convey your concerns to your supervisor

and “corporate” indicates to continue with the job alluding to the fact that it is the responsibility of

the contractor and the rental company to provide safe equipment.

What do you do next?

Introduction Ethical Canons Case Studies Lessons Learned Further Discussion References

Ethical Canons

Test Your Knowledge:

Your firm has recently been awarded the contract for the design of a high profile project. You are

appointed to a committee which will chronicle the project for use in marketing materials. Your

assignment is to visit the studios of several photographers to select one for this assignment. One of

the photographers you visit, while having an excellent reputation in the marketing industry, alludes a

hobby of photographing illegal dog races. While clearly the most talented photographer on your list

you cannot hire him because…

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Ethical Canons

Test Your Knowledge:You are an engineer working for the provincial government. You are contacted by a local newspaper

to comment on a controversial report issued by your department. You were not involved with the

project or report preparation. You:

a. Quickly read the Executive Summary and Scope of the report and give a brief, non-committal

answer to the reporters questions.

b. Ask for a day to review the report in preparation for an interview.

c. Refer the reporter to the project manager responsible for the report.

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Ethical Canons

When you complete your undergraduate education in engineering and subsequently obtain your stamp you are done with education forever!

TRUE

FALSE

Introduction Ethical Canons Case Studies Lessons Learned Further Discussion References

Ethical Canons

Test Your Knowledge:You are an engineer working for a major automobile manufacturer. A competing manufacturer is

trying to hire you away from your current employer. They offer you an additional $50,000 signing

bonus if you bring the formula for your current employer’s “no chip paint”. Which Canon of Conduct

indicates that you should not do this?

Introduction Ethical Canons Case Studies Lessons Learned Further Discussion References

Ethical Canons

The engineering firm you work for wins the contract to do the expansion of the building for the business that

employs your husband. You know that this expansion is a last ditch effort to increase the capacity of the

business and save the business from bankruptcy; requiring the project manager to closely monitor the budget

and keep the project on schedule. Before you accept the position as project manager you email your

supervisor and inform her of the connection you have to the client. Your supervisor indicates that because of

your extensive experience with tight project budgets she is comfortable with you as project manager.

According to Canon of Conduct 3.7 “inform each client or employer of any interests, circumstances or business

connections which the client or employer could deem as influencing his or her engineering or geoscientific

judgement, or the quality of professional services, before accepting an assignment”: You can accept the

project.

TRUE

FALSE

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Conflict of Interest

Ethical Canons

Test Your Knowledge:Johnny Blade, P. Eng. is an electrical engineer saving for some major renovations and upgrades to his

family home. He is considering additional employment. Under Canon of Conduct 3.13 “not accept an

assignment outside of his or her regular employment which might interfere with regular duties, or

make use of the employer’s resources or facilities, without first notifying his or her employer,

preferably with written confirmation” which of the following would best suit his needs:

Weekend manager of Bert’s Lumber Yard

Telephone sales that he can do at his desk at work on his lunch hours.

A contract for a smaller electrical engineering firm in his area of expertise.

Introduction Ethical Canons Case Studies Lessons Learned Further Discussion References

Ethical Canons

Test Your Knowledge:

Joan Triangle is a professional engineer with more than 30 years of design experience in satellite

radios. Joan will be retiring in about six months time and has been asked by her employer, of the last

15 years, to document her design and testing process. She has been assured that the information will

remain internal to the company. Joan refuses to do this claiming the process is her own and won’t be

understood by others. Is her response in the spirit of APEGM’s Ethical Canons?

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Ethical Canons

Test Your Knowledge:

Professional Engineer, Dan Deltoid, is under investigation for professional misconduct after a building he designed and stamped the drawings for has collapsed. The investigation was launched on January 15, 1990, one week after the collapse. It is now 1995, Dan has waited the maximum time for every response requested by APEGM. He has asked for three stays in the process citing personal problems, problems with his key witness and financial difficulties. He is now appealing APEGM’s ruling for the third time.

What canon of conduct is Mr. Deltoid violating?

Introduction Ethical Canons Case Studies Lessons Learned Further Discussion References

Ethical Canons

Test Your Knowledge:

Stan Theman, P. Eng. is known in mechanical engineering as being an excellent employer for

engineers-in-training. Stan makes sure that every engineer, EIT or P. Eng., receives credit for every

project they work on. Stan sends all of his EITs to one conference and one professional development

workshop annually. While Stan isn’t the highest paying employer of EITs locally, his wages are in the

upper 75th percentile.

What Canons of Conduct does Stan adhere to that makes him such a desirable employer?

Introduction Ethical Canons Case Studies Lessons Learned Further Discussion References

Ethical Canons

Test Your Knowledge:There has been an electrical processing failure at the plant that employs you. On Friday afternoon,

two minutes before you have to leave, your supervisor asks you to review the design engineer’s

calculations and schematics and look for the error that may have lead to the failure. Your supervisor

knows that you are leaving on a two week vacation (your flight leaves in less than two hours)and

won’t be reviewing these documents until you return. In accordance with Canon of Conduct 5.6 are

you required to notify the other engineer before you leave on vacation?

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