CONTENTS
A fundamental mechanism for ensuring professionalism is a code of ethics. A professional code of ethic is a statement of principles by which the practitioner may calibrate his or her personal attitude and conduct.
Codes are framework upon which professions are built and written to guide behavior. Generally, the first duty recognized by Professional and Chartered engineers is to the safety of the public.
OBJECTIVES AND FUNCTIONS OF CODE OF ENGINEERING ETHICS
The codes of engineering ethics serve the following objectives and functions
[1] Inspire and guide member in their professional conduct.
[2] Offer advice in case of moral dilemma and other conflicts of interest.
[3] Defend the integrity of the profession and protect the professionals standards.
[4] Inform the prospective clients and employers the standard of service expected of the members of the profession.
[5] Encourage members to update knowledge and skills and participate in professional society activities.
[6] Alert and remind the professional of the moral aspects of their job in which they may Jove overlooked.
[7] Enhance the profession’s public image.
NIGERIA CODES OF ENGINEERING ETHICS
Every member is expected in his general conduct to uphold and enhance the honour and dignity of the Engineering profession and the reputation of the NIGERIAN SOCIETY OF ENGINEERS(NSE)and to act always in the public interest.
It shall be considered unprofessional and inconsistent with honorable, dignified conduct and contrary to the public interest for any member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers to:
[1] To exert undue influence or to offer, solicit or accept compensation for the purpose of affecting negotiations for an engineering engagement.
[2] To use the advantages of a salaried position to compete unfairly with other Engineers.
[3] To accept remuneration for services rendered other than from his clients or his employer.
[4] To attempt to supplant another Engineer in a particular engagement after definite steps have been taken towards his employment.
[5] To review the work of another Engineer for the same client except with the knowledge of such Engineer, unless such Engineer’s engagement on the work which is subject to review has been terminated.
[6] To attempt to injure, falsely or maliciously, the professional reputation, business, or employment position of another Engineer.
UNITED STATE OF AMERICA CODES OF ENGINEERING ETHICS
Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public in other to protect the reputation of National Society of Professional Engineers(NSPE).
The American Society of Civil Engineers(ASCE) has seven “Fundamental Canons” which are that:
[1] Engineers shall hold paramount the safety,health and welfare of the public and shall strive to comply with the principles of sustainable development in the performance of their professional duties.
[2] Engineers shall perform services only in areas of their competence.
[3] Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
[4] Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees,and shall avoid conflicts of interest.
[5] Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their services and shall not compete unfairly with others.
[6] Engineers shall act in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the honor, integrity, and dignity of the engineering profession and shall act with zero tolerance for bribery, fraud, and corruption.
[7] Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their careers, and shall provide opportunities for the professional development of those engineers under their supervision.
UNITED KINGDOM CODES OF ENGINEERING ETHICS
The Institution of Civil Engineers(ICE) in the UK has a code of ethics incorporated into its standards of conduct. The ICE’s “Code of Professional Conduct” identifies similar ethical values as the ASCE’s thus places the good of the public as the highest ethic.
Members of the ICE should always be aware of their overriding responsibility to the public good. A member’s obligations to the client can never override this, and members of the ICE should not enter undertakings which compromise this responsibility. The ‘public good’ encompasses care and respect for the environment, and for humanity’s cultural, historical and archaeological heritage, as well as the primary responsibility members have to protect the health and well-being of present and future generations.
CANADA CODES OF ENGINEERING ETHICS
The Canadian societies of professional Engineers accorded codes of ethics as of paramount importance. Canadian engineering codes of ethics place the public good above all other concerns. Professional Engineers Ontario(PEO), A practitioner shall and regard the practitioner’s duty to public welfare as paramount.
L’Ordre des ingénieursdu Québec (OIQ): In all aspects of his work, the engineer must respect his obligations towards man and take into account the consequences of the performance of his work on the environment and on the life, health and property of every person.
INDIA CODES OF ENGINEERING ETHICS
Engineering Council of India (ECI) is an apex body of engineering associations in India. The Council is responsible for
[1] Representing Member Associations in government and non- government bodies, and interacting on common policy matters relating to engineering profession.
[2] Working for the setting up of a Statutory Council of Engineers and later interfacing with it, providing support and inputs for developing systems and procedures for the registration of engineers, CPD, code of ethics.
[3] Facilitating authorization of member associations to register engineers; assisting them in developing internal systems for undertaking registration, CPD, enforcing code of ethics; and providing common forum for CPD to support the member associations.
[4] Providing forum for exchange of information and experience among member associations, coordination, common thinking and views on important matters.
[5] Helping in the analysis of existing education systems/bodies and making suggestions in order to make the education relevant for the engineering profession and employability.
[6] Setting up a Resource Centre and Database of Engineers, which can provide necessary information required for the development of the profession
[7] Interacting with professional associations/bodies in other countries & international bodies.
[8] Undertaking and supporting research for the development of the engineering profession.
Love this post and you love to get a copy
Click on the button below to get the PDF file and Read Offline.