Engineering Ethics

Making the Right Choices

October 27, 2015

What Are Ethics? The basic concepts and fundamental principles

of decent human conduct. It includes study of universal values such as

The essential equality of all men and women, Human or natural rights, Obedience to the law of the land, Concern for health and safety, Concern for the natural environment.

The standards that govern the conduct of a person, especially a member of a profession

2

A Little History 19th Century

Engineering: a distinct profession Independent professionals Technical employees

Four professional societies founded American Society of Civil Engineers, ASCE (1851) Professional American Institute of Mining Engineers, AIME (1871) Technical American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME (1880) Technical American Institute of Electrical Engineers, AIEE (1884) Professional

Series of structural failures Ashtabula River Railroad Disaster (1876) Tay Bridge Disaster (1879) Quebec bridge collapse (1907) Boston molasses disaster (1919)

3

Ashtabula River Railroad Disaster

4

December 1876 Bridge collapse 92 killed Bridge designed by railroad president Causes

Improper design Inadequate inspection Bridge members not fastened

together Survivors robbed by those helping Designer committed suicide

Tay Bridge Disaster

5

Scotland, 1879 Violent storm Train on bridge when it collapsed 59 killed Causes

No account for wind loading Flaws in design, maintenance,

and quality control Engineer died within a year

Quebec Bridge Collapse

6

First collapse: 1907 Inexperienced engineer Calculations unchecked Dead load > carry capacity Noticed distortions 75 killed Collapsed again: 1916 Killed 13

Boston Molasses Disaster – Jan 1907

7

Molasses storage tank burst – 2.3 million gallons 25 foot wave at 35 mph 21 killed, 150 injured

Poorly constructed and inadequately tested Leaked so bad they painted it brown to disguise the leaks

Challenger Disaster – Jan 28,1986

Pressure to launch Extremely cold Launch Commit Criteria Morton-Thiokol engineers said No! Rockwell International said No! MSFC demanded they prove it was unsafe Engineers refused to back down Launch approved over their objections

8

The Worst Chart Ever

9

Why Didn’t They Do This?

10

11

Response 1: Codes of Ethics AIEE (1912), ASCE & ASME (1914) AIAA Code of Ethics

The AIAA member to uphold and advance the honor and dignity of the aerospace profession and in keeping with high standards of ethical conduct:

I. Will be honest and impartial, and will serve with devotion his employer and the public;

II. Will strive to increase the competence and prestige of the aerospace profession;

III. Will use his knowledge and skill for the advancement of human welfare.

12

National Society of Professional Engineers PE License Almost all Civil Engineers are licensed

US practice Engineers practicing independently must have

PE License Most engineers working in industry do not

Education Government

Codes of Ethics and Licensure are fine Engineers must use sound judgment

13

Response 2: Formal Credentials

An Engineer’s Responsibilities Obligation to society

Paramount value: safety and welfare of the public Care and respect for the environment Cultural and historical heritage

Whistleblowing Duty to report

Possible risk to others Overrides the duty to client or employer

Conduct Relationships with clients, consultants, competitors, and contractors Ensuring legal compliance by clients, contractors, etc. Conflict of interest Kickbacks and bribes Treatment of confidential or proprietary information Outside employment (moonlighting)

14

Case Studies Case Study #1 Suppression of Data Arbitrary decision → ethical dilemma

Case Study #2 Machine Failure Stupid decision → suspicion and loss of trust

Case Study #3 Fabricated Data Foolish decision → permanent as a tattoo

15

You are hired by Larom Engineering Your boss: Homer Simpson

Wants a decision on Catalyst A or B: 2 days Catalyst B has promise, but you need more time

Homer: “No more time, must look decisive” You are told to write the recommendation and not mention the

possible advantages of Catalyst B What do you do?

1. Write and sign the report as instructed2. Write the report but don’t sign it3. Refuse to write the report, threaten to go around Homer to his boss4. Other

The Suppressed Data Strikes Back16

Suppression of Data

Machine Failure

XYZ is an old customer of R&M Machine XYZ has returned a failed unit Meeting

Kim Kardashian: XYZ rep Charlie Sheen: R&M returned goods rep Johnny Depp: R&M engineer

Johnny becomes convinced it’s R&M’s problem Charlie does not want to admit fault – “lessen XYZ trust in us”

Agrees to replace unit at no cost to XYZ Should Johnny say something with Kim present? Should Mr. Depp be concerned? Would an admission of fault really be damaging?

17

Machine Failure Should Walt say anything in front of the customer or

should he wait until after the meeting? What do you think of R&M’s solution? Should Walt Winters be concerned or is this just a

“management problem”? Could this be endemic of R&M management? Would R&M pay a price for honesty? For leaving the customer with unanswered questions? If management will compromise its integrity in a

trivial situation, what if the stakes are high? What is the problem with the “image” of infallibility

and unwillingness to admit fault?18

Case Study #2

Fabricated Data Jennifer Aniston, project manager

Under pressure to complete prototype Component repeatedly fails Need to test a new material

Jenn asks Brad Pitt, Material Science Manager, for help Brad assigns co-op Justin Bieber to perform the test Justin completes the test, writes report and goes back to State U A few weeks later, the new component fails Jenn and Brad study Justin’s data – looks too good to be true If the data were fabricated, what are the ethical implications? Brad calls State U Co-op coordinator, Dr. Jack Nicholson Should Brad talk to Justin before talking to Dr. Jack? Should Brad refuse to have Justin back? Who is responsible for preparing Justin to be an engineer?

19

Fabricated Data What ethical issues, if any, does this scenario raise? Other possibilities

Jack may have performed the test correctly but the test was inadequate for the operating conditions.

Results may have been in error in some other way. Was Jack properly supervised?

Was it appropriate for Tom to talk to the University co-op coordinator before talking to Jack?

Should he talk to Jack about his concerns? Find out what really happened (maybe). Impress Jack with the consequences of his poor performance

Who should discipline Jack?20

Case Study #3

21

FINIS