Lecture 2

Question 1

General Engineering ethics

Answer 1

· Statement of Ethical Principles – standards for engineering disciplines created by Engineering Council and Royal Academy of Engineering 
· Fundamental ethical principles:
- Accuracy and rigour
- Honesty and integrity 
- Respect for life,law and public good
- Responsible leadership: listening and informing 
· IChemE code of conduct
- Prevent environmental impact
- Prevent health and safety dangers
- Competence
- Reject bribery
Confidentiality

Question 2

Types of engineering failures

Answer 2

· Failures due to calculation errors or fabrication
· Failure due to not anticipating all the ways the design can fail
· Failure occurring due to all side effects not being predicted

Question 3

What are the project management variables?

Answer 3

· Quality
· Profit
· Safety

Question 4

What are the responsibilities as an engineer?

Answer 4

· Concern for public safety
· Technical competence
· Timely communication of positive and negative results to management

Question 5

Define the ethical dilemmas

Answer 5

· Public safety and welfare
· Data integrity and representation
· Trade secrets and industrial espionage
· Gift giving and bribery
· Principle of informed consent 
· Conflict of interest 
· Accountability to clients and customers
· Fair treatment

Question 6

Define the engineering ethics threshold

Answer 6

· Whistleblowing – employees conveys info about moral problem to someone in position to take action on it, and does so outside regular internal ways

• Why? = danger to H&S, criminal offence, damage to environment
• How? = (unfair) dismissal, tribunals