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BY
ENGR. FELIX ATUME, FNSE, mniRegistrar,
Council for The Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria(COREN)
@ A Workshop
Organised by the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Calabar Branch
10th of May, 2010
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS IN ENGINEERING
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ETHICS
What you are speaks so loud I cannot hear what you say.
(Emerson).
Reputation is what you are supposed to be; character is what you
are when nobody but God is looking (Anderson: 1968)
It is easier to cope with a bad conscience than with a bad
reputation (friedrich Nietzsche,1844-1900)21/18/2011 Anticorruption Workshop
Outline
Introduction
Engineering Practitioner
Definitions (Engineer, Technologist, Technician,
Craftsmen)
Engineering as a profession
Code of Ethics in Engineering
Code of Ethics as prescribed by COREN
Codes of Ethics of other Engineering organizations
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The Engineer is a builder. “Builders” accrue great responsibility and liability as well as great satisfaction.
-President Herbert Hover said:
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The great liability of the engineer compared to men of other professions is that his works are out in open where all can see them. His acts, step-by-step, are in hard substance. He cannot bury his mistakes in the grave like the doctors. He cannot argue them into thin air and blame the judge like the lawyers. He cannot, like the architects, cover his failures with trees and vines. He cannot, like the politicians screen his short-comings by blaming his opponents and hope the people will forget. The engineer simply cannot deny he did it. If his works do not work, he is damned... On the other hand, unlike the doctor, his is not a life among the weak. Unlike the soldier, destruction is not his purpose. Unlike the lawyer, quarrels are not his daily bread. To the engineer falls the job of clothing the bare bones of science with life, comfort, and hope. (Fredrich 1989:546)
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INTRODUCTION Engineering generally is a profession that provides comfort for
mankind The difference between the sixties and the twenties is engineering
i.e. new communication, road networks, airways e.t.c In all, the engineer has a key role to play in things that improve
the quality of life - Transportation, (Roads, Railways, Airports, Marine etc), Telecommunication, Water Supply Systems, Transport Facilities.
The engineer comes across as one in constant relation with the public
Large resources are also placed at the disposal of the engineer –men, materials, machineries and money
Crowning all these is the resource of confidence which he has been generously given.
How does the engineer manage these resources to the satisfaction of those who have placed the confidence in him.
Does the public get value for money on the resources invested?
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Who is an Engineering Practitioner
The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria registers:
Engineers
Engineering Technologists
Engineering Technicians
Engineering Craftsmen
Engineering Consultants
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Engineering as a Profession Professionalism is about commitment to standards of excellence
in the performance of tasks which require specialized skills and
expertise.
Distinct characteristics of a profession include
Specialized body of knowledge for the planning, designing, construction and maintenance of physical facility.
Code of ethics and standards that govern the practice of the profession
A monopoly granted to a professional body to ensure that only
registered members can practise the profession
Members are committed to constant educational renewal
Professional body mandated by law to regulate itself.81/18/2011 Anticorruption Workshop
Code of Ethics in EngineeringCode of Ethics is defined as a system of moral
principles
Ethical behaviour is choice to do the right thing.
Engineering is an important and learned profession.
Members are expected to demonstrate the highest standards of honesty and integrity.
Engineering impacts the quality of life
Practitioner must demonstrate honesty, impartiality,
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CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
A conflict of interest arises when personal interest of an
engineer competes with the interests of his employer or
clients. Conflicts of interest can distort and cast doubt on
the reliability of professional judgment, sow seeds of
distrust and in its most serious form can result in
corruption.
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COREN Code of EthicsAn Engineering Personnel may be engaged in:
Research, production, supervision, construction, management e.t.c.
May be retained as Consultant for professional advice.
A registered engineer when trusted with the finances of his Client
or Employer must let his honesty of purpose be above suspicion
All the time conscious of the moral responsibility
He must be fully conscious that he has moral responsibility for his
associates and subordinates.
Fully conscious that the profession carries with it, great
responsibility to the public.
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Responsibility of a Registered Engineering Personnel to the Profession
Shall not knowingly take part in a competition involving the submission of proposals unless an assessor who shall be an engineer has been appointed
A registered engineering personnel should only deal with legitimate enterprises
A registered engineering personnel shall not be engaged in the practice of making preliminary studies and estimates of cost without adequate compensation.
Engineering personnel shall not advertise engineering services
Shall not offer to make payment by way of commission or otherwise
It is the duty of every registered engineering personnel to report to Council the violation of this Code of Conduct.
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Relation among Engineering Personnel
A registered engineering personnel shall not act to injure the reputation of another registered engineering personnel
A registered engineer should not be involved in any job that has already been entrusted to another registered engineer
A registered engineer shall not review or take over work of another registered engineer until he has obtained a written notification from the client that the former engineer has been disengaged and has been completely settled.
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Relation among Engineering Personnel (Cond’t)
It is improper for a registered engineer to secure an engagement by reducing his fees.
It is the duty of the registered engineer to ensure that credit for work and ideas are attributed to the real authors
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Relation with Employer or ClientA registered engineer shall not place orders on his own behalf in respect of a project in which he is engaged but shall only do so explicitly on behalf of his client.
A registered engineer shall not be the medium of payments made on his client’s behalf. He shall only issue certificates of payment
Unless authorised, a registered engineer shall not receive directly or indirectly any royalty, gratuity or commission in connection with the work he is employed
He shall accept remuneration only from his employer or client.
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Responsibility of Engineering Person as an Employer
A registered engineering personnel must ensure that only registered engineering personnel hold engineering posts.
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Responsibility of Engineering Personnel to the Public
Must maintain dignified interest in the welfare of the community
Must challenge untrue, unfair and exaggerated statements on technical issues
Must enforce technical regulations
A registered engineer who shall be convicted by a competent tribunal of a criminal offence will be unfit to practice.
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Responsibility of the Registered Engineering PersonnelMust ensure that public interest are incorporated in
any contract to be executed
Must ensure that fairness and honour shall govern the use of every bid over which he is to adjudicate.
Must not compromise the professional standard for lower bidder.
Shall not call for full estimates from bidders on tentative project
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MEASURES BY COREN AGAINST MALPRACTICES
Section 15 of COREN Act provides for the establishment of:
Investigating Panel
Disciplinary Tribunal
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The Investigating PanelCharged with duty of conducting a preliminary
investigation into any case where it is alleged.
Deciding whether a case should be referred to the
Tribunal
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The Disciplinary Tribunal Is charged with the duty of determining any case
referred to it by Investigating Panel
COREN formally inaugurated the Investigating Panel and the Disciplinary Tribunal in 2007 & 2008 respectively. Both have begun sitting.
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ASCE Fundamental Canons (Basic rule or principle)
Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health of clients, e.t.c.
Engineers shall practice only in their areas of competence
Engineers shall only issue public statements only in objective and
truthful manner
Engineers shall act in professional manners to avoid conflict of interest
Engineers shall build their reputation on the merit of their services
Engineers shall act to uphold the dignity of the profession
Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout
their careers.
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World Federation of Engineering Organisations WFEO Est’d in 1968 WFEO globally represents all the engineers of all the
disciplines.
Ethical activity is their most important beacon.
6 canons in the Model Code of Ethics: Sustainable Development and Environment
Protection of the Public and the Environment
Faithful Agent of Clients and Employers
Competence and Knowledge
Fairness and Integrity in the Workplace
Professional Accountability and Leadership.
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Institution of Civil Engineers ICE, UKEst’d in 1818 The founder of ICE: Thomas Telford, the pioneer of
consulting engineers
Professionals foundation of ICE is based on the ethics that engineers should respond to trust and reliance of the client and the society.
The Code of Professional Conduct 2004 and Advance on Ethical Conduct.
“Preventing Bribery and Corruption” are clearly notified.
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Organisation for Economics Co-operation and Development OECD Est’d in 1961
Anti-corruption Declaration of OECD in 1997 Criminalization of bribery to foreign public officials. Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public
Officials enacted as an international treaty in 1999. Just a decade ago, bribery was a part of business. Now
Foreign bribery is a crime in 38 countries. 150 sanctions imposed on individuals and corporations 250 cases under investigation 45 prosecuted cases in US (as of January 2002)
In Japan, Amended Unfair Competition Prevention Act in 1999 to prohibit bribery to foreign public officials is strictly enacted.
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World Bank On CorruptionCorruption : Greatest obstacles to economic and social development. Undermining development by distorting the rule of law and
weakening the institutional foundation. Greatly affects the poor because they are , are most reliant on
the public services, are least capable of paying the extra costs associated with bribery, fraud, and the misappropriation of economic privileges.
Anticorruption is: Increasing Political Accountability. Strengthening Public Participation Creating a Competitive Private Sector. Institutional Restraints on Power Improving Public Works Management.
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NUTURING CODE OF ETHICS IN ENGINEERING FROM THE CRADLE
Engineering ethics are nutured through basic training from engineering institutions with the following graduate attributes:
Knoweldge base for engineering
Problem analysis
Investigation
Design
Use of resources
Use of Engineering Tools
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NUTURING CODE OF ETHICS IN ENGINEERING FROM THE CRADLE (Cont’d)
Individual and Team Work
Communication
Professionalism
Impact on Society and Environment
Ethics & Equity
Engineering Economics & Project Management
Life Long Learning.
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CONCLUSION
There is the need to strengthen the Code of Ethics in
Engineering Practice
Averting the rampant Collapse of engineering
infrastructure such as building,roads etc.
Practitioners must disist from cutting corners to make high
gains
COREN’s determination for strict adherance of these ethics
should be supported by all.
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THANKS FOR LISTENING
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