Salleh Bostaman BH Zainal Abidin

BSc (MechEng) , MBA , CEng , FIMechE

Chartered Engineer. Fellow IMechE
Retiree , Adjunct Associate Professor

Week -1
Introduction

Professional Ethics
( Engineering )
EG 2501

Edmodo.com
Class code: ve9vpi
 Background – Oil and Gas Industry Email: bostaman.abidin@utb.edu.bn
~ 34 years
Jobs
Managing Director, Asset Director , Asset Manager (LNG and Oil refinery), Project Manager,
Lead Engineer, Graduate Engineer , Technician , trainee

Involved in numerous Governmental working committees at National and community level

As student part time jobs (including jual kueh, dish washer , construction coolie, petrol station
pump attendant…)..

Skill sets
Engineering : Design ,Construction and Project Management,
Operation : Plant Operation
Maintenance: Reliability and Integrity Management
Marketing (Petroleum Products, Domestic Gas and LNG)
Project Management and Contracting
HSSE and Auditing
Change Management

UK (London and Aberdeen) , USA (Houston), Holland

Countries Worked- Brunei (The Hague), Rome (Italy) Oman (Muscat , Sur),
Nigeria (Port Harcourt), Russia (West Siberia)
Malaysia ( KL ) , Singapore
 Why am I here - Engineering course ??
A I have always wanted to be an Engineer
B My parents want me to be an Engineer , my bf / friends are taking this course
C My grades were not as great / only this course accepted me
D No other choice / scholarship only offer this course
E None of above

A (self interest)
B (parent wishes/peer pressure)
C (personal circumstances)
D (external circumstances)
E other factor/s)
Question: Why study ethics (in Engineering program)

Question: Who are professional Engineers

Question : What is Professional Ethics

Answer : Lets watch a movie trailer

Deep Horizon trailer

The Challenger - space shuttle story

Movie trailers
 Simple Acid Test

1. Harm Test: Will anybody lose out due to this

2. Publicity Test: Am I proud/ok if people knew I did this

3. Reversibility Test: Am I okay if I am the recipient of this action

4. Defensibility Test: Can I defend my action

Halal / Haram Test : Is it Halal /Haram

 Simple Pre – Course Questions
I am not/comfortable with that .
I m not/ okay with it.
Is this the right/wrong thing to do ??
What would my parents/friends think of me if they find out what I did….

1. Copying other people’s work …

Ethical NO YES Because……..

2. Office network : 09.00am Dear Colleagues , I just downloaded new items on my web
Any orders before 12noon , delivery can be by 4pm same day @ company’s carpark

Ethical NO YES Because……

3. Cube shop. Notice: To all vendors: For every $1 sale , $0.20ct will be deducted.
Unsold items at end of day/week will be subject to $0.05ct handling charge/item.
No other charges to be incurred.
Actual in shop ,. All items price marked up +10%
Ethical NO YES Because…….

4. Room for Rent. An employee rent out spare room in his company-rented flat.
Ethical NO YES Because………..
5. You are an intern at a Water Bottling Company. You found out that , due to an equipment
undergoing repair , the operation supervisor continues bottling bypassing treatment
process using that equipment. ,to meet daily production target, You don’t know how critical
is this treatment process. You enjoy working here and was promised employment here upon
graduation.

Ethical YES NO What should you do……..

6. You and your course mate was doing a project for a company and granted access to
company’s operation. In your review you and your course mate discovered that the
Company had been discharging used oil into the common drain. You want to investigate
further but your course mate said this is outside the scope of your project ., and he propose
be silent on it.

Ethical YES NO What should you do………

7. You just completed an intern assignment with a Oil and Gas company with strong safety
culture. You are comfortable with their house rules especially requirement holding of hand
rails on staircase and right to intervene on safety .
You noticed that the University has similar house rules on holding handrail staircase . You
noted one of your lecturer was walking down the staircase with both her hands full. You
pretend not to notice.

Ethical YES NO What should you do……

 Intended Learning Outcome ( ILO lecture #1)

1. Self introduction , introduce module content and program structure. Goal.

2. Address why study Ethics (~ soft subject) in Engineering program (core technical subject)
Briefly introduce Ethics , Professionalism and its attributes and Engineering Ethics .
Explain impact of Engineering activities on society , community and environment in general

3. Test our basic understanding of Ethical and Non-Ethical issues . Use the basic Acid Test

4. Share the program assessment rubik.

 Goals

To assist Engineering Undergraduates

• Stimulate their moral imagination
• Recognises ethical issues and dilemma
• Analyses key concepts and principles
• Elicit their sense of responsibility

Deal constructively with ambiguity and disagreement

Module Aim providing students with:

✓ Knowledge - recognise and engage with ethical issues and concerns

✓ Skills - apply ethical reasoning and decision-making within professional and personal
responsibility

Upon completion, students would :

No. MILOs Weightage (%)
1 Recall and relate key theoretical concepts and principles of 30
ethics to the foundation of ethical behaviours of professionals.

2 Identify and relate legal obligations and codes of ethics to the 20

ethical and unethical conduct of engineers and other professionals

3 Apply concepts and principles of ethics to identify moral issues 20

and concerns and build ethical considerations into (engineering)
professional practices.
4 Construct ethical reasoning to solve moral conflicts and 30
dilemmas in both personal and work place situations

MILO Type of Assessment Weightage

No. Tasks/Activities (%)
1,2,3,4 University Examination 60
2,3,4 Case Study and Assignment 40
•Teaching and Learning Activities (TLAs)

MILO No. TLAs Functions Hours/Week

1,2,3 Lecture - Provide awareness, knowledge and 2 (tbc)

understanding of core concepts and
principles.
-Illustrate their practical applications.
3,4 Tutorial - Hands on sessions using case studies 1 (tbc)
and hypothetical situations to apply
acquired knowledge and build required
skills.

Lectures : industry experts may be

invited to discuss/share real life
Assessment Tasks/Activities experiences and best practices
Assessment Criteria:
Assessment components of the module shall be University Examination and Course-works.
To achieve a pass in the module students must obtain a minimum overall marks of
40% and a minimum of 30% in each assessment component.

Resit: Students eligible for resit shall be assessed in the respective failed assessment component
and to achieve a pass in the resit exam students must satisfy the above assessment criteria.

Attendance Requirements
Students are required to attend all lectures and tutorials
 Topics Schedule (guide)
The module covers the following topics:

•W1 Aug General Introduction

•W1-2 Aug Basic Concepts of Ethics, Values, Virtues and Trust
•W3 Aug Theoretical Ethical Framework

•W4-5 Sept Duty of Care and Obligations of (Engineering) Professionals

- Public Safety, Health and Welfare
- Sustainability and Environmental Ethics
• W5-6 Sept Ethics and Law
- Code of Ethics For (Engineering) Professionals
- Prevention of Corruption Legislation W7* coursework #1 due Sept

• W7-8 Sept/Oct Common Ethical Issues and Concerns Sept16-23 semester break
• W8-9 Oct Ethical Dilemmas and Moral Reasoning
• W10-11 Oct Ethics and Compliance W12* coursework #2 due Oct
- Creating Ethical Excellence
- Employee Code of Conduct
- Compliance Program
- Ethics Audit

• W12 Oct Ethical Leadership

• W13/14 Nov Corporate Social Responsibility
• W15 Nov Revision Week
• W16 Examination (good luck) 19 Nov -1 Dec
 Program structure ( lecture 2hrs duration ) typical for guide

Item Duration Activity who Remark

1 1-3m Roll Call / Safety Reminder Volunteer
suraah AlFatihah
2 5min Review action list
- previous week summary/ action
(max - agree outstanding issues
10min) - new urgent/emerging issues
3 2 min Today’s Learning Objective AAP
4 35 min Todays lesson/Engagement AAP Literature
5 15 min short break
6 35 min continue today’s lesson. AAP Case study
7 10 min Verify wk’s Learning Objective done Volunteer
- summary
8 3min Agree action list Volunteer
- close

For tutorial ., 60 min allocated..

 Assessment Rubik

• Recognition of dilemmas
• Factual Information
5 key
parameters • Analysis
• Perspective
• Resolution
 Assessment Rubik

Recognition of dilemmas –
(1) students fail to see problem;
(5) student clearly identifies key ethical issues.

Information –
(1) students ignore important facts;
(5) students identify unknown facts and use their own expertise to add
appropriate information

Analysis –
(1) students provide no analysis;
(5) students cite analogous cases, offer more then one alternative solution, and
identify risks for each solution.
Perspective –
(1) students have wondering perspective;
(2) students have one perspective;
(5) students have global perspective.

Resolution –
(1) No resolution, resolution lacks integrity;
(5) resolves case thoroughly through clear argumentation and understands
consequences of various actions.
 Health Warning

Good News Not So Good News

✓ No formula to memorise ❖ Expects lots of self pre-reading
✓ No complex equation to prove ❖ Requires active group participation
✓ No standard format to adopt ❖ Self reflection

To excel requires:

✓Positive Attitude (“I want to be a responsible Engineer to contribute to society at large”

versus
“ I just want to pass the exam and get a job as an Engineer”)

✓Developing and practising (written and oral) skills in analysing, assessing and articulating
(comprehension)

✓ Having fun and be inclusive

Summary (L#1)
 WHAT IS ENGINEERING ETHICS

Engineering Ethics is the study of moral issues

and decisions confronting individuals and
organizations engaged in engineering.

The Study of related questions about moral

ideals,character,policies and relationship of
people and corporations involved in technological
activity.
 CODE OF ETHICS FOR ENGINEERS
THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES

Engineers Uphold and advance the integrity, honor and

dignity of the engineering profession by:

I.Using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement

of human welfare;

II. Being honest and impartial, and serving with fidelity

the public, their employers and clients:

III. Striving to increase the competence and prestige of the

engineering profession; and

I.Supporting the professional and technical societies of

their disciplines.
 Fundamental Canons
1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and
welfare of the public in the performance of their
professional duties.

2. Engineers shall perform services only in the 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 profession.

7. Engineers shall continue their professional development

throughout their careers and shall provide opportunities
for the professional development of those engineers
under their supervision.
 Code of Ethics for Engineers
Preamble pertaining to the same project, unless the circumstances are fully disclosed and b. Engineers shall not, without the consent of all interested parties, b. Engineers using designs supplied by a client recognize that the designs
Engineering is an important and learned profession. As members of this profes- agreed to by all interested parties. participate in or represent an adversary interest in connection with a remain the property of the client and may not be duplicated by the engineer
sion, engi neers are expected to exhibit the highest standards of honesty and c. Engineers shall not solicit or accept financial or other valuable specific project or proceeding in which the engineer has gained particular for others without express permission.
integ rity. Engineering has a direct and vital impact on the quality of life for all considera tion, directly or indirectly, from outside agents in connection specialized knowledge on behalf of a former client or employer. c. Engineers, before undertaking work for others in connection with which
people. Accord ingly, the services provided by engineers require honesty, impartial- with the work for which they are respon sible. 5. Engineers shall not be influenced in their professional duties by conflicting the engineer may make improvements, plans, designs, inventions, or other
ity, fairness, and equity, and must be ded icated to the protection of the public health, d. Engineers in public service as members, advisors, or employees of a interests. records that may justify copyrights or patents, should enter into a positive
safety, and welfare. Engineers must perform under a standard of professional behav- a. Engineers shall not accept financial or other considerations, including agreement regarding ownership.
governmental or quasi-governmental body or department shall not
ior that requires adherence to the highest principles of ethical conduct. free engineering designs, from material or equipment suppliers for d. Engineers’ designs, data, records, and notes referring exclusively to an
participate in decisions with respect to services solicited or provided by specifying their product. employer’s work are the employer’s property. The employer should
them or their organizations in private or public engineering practice. b. Engineers shall not accept commissions or allowances, directly or indemnify the engineer for use of the information for any purpose other
I. Fundamental Canons e. Engineers shall not solicit or accept a contract from a governmental body indirect ly, from contractors or other parties dealing with clients or than the original purpose.
Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall: on which a principal or officer of their organization serves as a member. employers of the engineer in connection with work for which the e. Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their
1. Hold par amount the safety, health, and welfare of the public. 5. Engineers shall avoid deceptive acts. engineer is respon sible. careers and should keep current in their specialty fields by engaging in
2. Perform services only in areas of their competence. a. Engineers shall not falsify their qualifications or permit misrepresentation 6. Engineers shall not attempt to obtain employment or advancement or profes- professional practice, participating in continuing education courses,
3. Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner. of their or their associates’ qualifications. They shall not misrepresent or sional engagements by untruthfully criticizing other engineers, or by other reading in the technical literature, and attending professional meetings
4. Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees. im proper or questionable methods. and seminars.
exaggerate their responsibility in or for the subject matter of prior a. Engineers shall not request, propose, or accept a commission on a
5. Avoid deceptive acts. assignments. Brochures or other presentations incident to the solicitation
6. Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to contingent basis under circumstances in which their judgment may be
of employment shall not misrepresent pertinent facts concerning compromised. As Revised January 2003
enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession. employers, employees, associates, joint venturers, or past b. Engineers in salaried positions shall accept part-time engineering work
accomplishments. only to the extent consistent with policies of the employer and in “By order of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia,
II. Rules of Practice b. Engineers shall not offer, give, solicit, or receive, either directly or accordance with ethical considerations. former Section 11(c) of the NSPE Code of Ethics prohibiting competitive bidding,
1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public. c. Engineers shall not, without consent, use equipment, supplies, and all policy state ments, opinions, rulings or other guidelines interpreting its scope,
indirectly, any contribution to influence the award of a contract by public
a. If engineers’ judgment is overruled under circumstances that endanger laboratory, or office facilities of an employer to carry on outside private have been rescinded as unlawfully interfering with the legal right of engineers, pro-
authority, or which may be reasonably construed by the public as having
life or property, they shall notify their employer or client and such other practice. tected under the antitrust laws, to provide price information to prospective clients;
the effect or intent of influencing the awarding of a contract. They shall
authority as may be appropriate. 7. Engineers shall not attempt to injure, maliciously or falsely, directly or accord ingly, noth ing contained in the NSPE Code of Ethics, policy statements, opin-
b. Engineers shall approve only those engineering documents that are in not offer any gift or other valuable consideration in order to secure work. indirect ly, the professional reputation, prospects, practice, or employment ions, rulings or other guidelines prohibits the submission of price quotations or
conformity with applicable standards. They shall not pay a commission, percentage, or brokerage fee in order to of other engineers. Engineers who believe others are guilty of unethical or il- com petitive bids for engineering services at any time or in any amount.”
c. Engineers shall not reveal facts, data, or information without the prior secure work, except to a bona fide employee or bona fide established legal practice shall present such information to the proper authority for
consent of the client or employer except as authorized or required by law commercial or marketing agencies retained by them. action. Statement by NSPE Executive Committee
a. Engineers in private practice shall not review the work of another In order to correct misunderstandings which have been indicated in some
or this Code.
d. Engineers shall not permit the use of their name or associate in business
III. Professional Obligations engineer for the same client, except with the knowledge of such engineer, instances since the issu ance of the Supreme Court decision and the entry of the Final
1. Engineers shall be guided in all their relations by the highest standards of or unless the connec tion of such engineer with the work has been Judg ment, it is noted that in its decision of April 25, 1978, the Supreme Court of the
ventures with any person or firm that they believe is engaged in terminated. United States declared: “The Sherman Act does not require competitive bidding.”
honesty and integrity.
fraudulent or dishonest enterprise. b. Engineers in governmental, industrial, or educational employ are entitled
a. Engineers shall acknowledge their errors and shall not distort or alter the to review and evaluate the work of other engineers when so required by
e. Engineers shall not aid or abet the unlawful practice of engineering by a
facts. their employment duties. It is further noted that as made clear in the Supreme Court decision:
person or firm.
b. Engineers shall advise their clients or employers when they believe a c. Engineers in sales or industrial employ are entitled to make engineering 1. Engineers and firms may individually refuse to bid for engineering services.
f. Engineers having knowledge of any alleged violation of this Code shall
project will not be successful. comparisons of represented products with products of other suppliers. 2. Clients are not required to seek bids for engineering services.
report thereon to appropriate professional bodies and, when relevant, also 3. Federal, state, and local laws governing procedures to procure engineering
c. Engineers shall not accept outside employment to the detriment of their 8. Engineers shall accept personal responsibility for their professional activities,
to public authorities, and cooperate with the proper authorities in provided, however, that engineers may seek indemnification for services aris- services are not affected, and remain in full force and effect.
regular work or interest. Before accepting any outside engineering
furnishing such information or assistance as may be required. ing out of their practice for other than gross negligence, where the engineer’s 4. State societies and local chapters are free to actively and ag gressively seek
employment, they will notify their employers.
2. Engineers shall perform services only in the areas of their competence. interests cannot otherwise be protected. legis lation for professional se lection and negotiation procedures by public
d. Engineers shall not attempt to attract an engineer from another employer
a. Engineers shall undertake assignments only when qualified by education a. Engineers shall conform with state registration laws in the practice of agen cies.
by false or misleading pretenses. engineering. 5. State registration board rules of professional conduct, including rules
or experience in the specific technical fields involved.
e. Engineers shall not promote their own interest at the expense of the b. Engineers shall not use association with a nonengineer, a corporation, or prohibit ing competitive bidding for engineering services, are not affected
b. Engineers shall not affix their signatures to any plans or documents
dignity and integrity of the profession. partnership as a “cloak” for unethical acts. and remain in full force and effect. State registration boards with authority
dealing with subject matter in which they lack competence, nor to any to adopt rules of professional conduct may adopt rules governing proce-
2. Engineers shall at all times strive to serve the public interest. 9. Engineers shall give credit for engineering work to those to whom credit is
plan or document not prepared under their direction and control. due, and will recognize the proprietary interests of others. dures to obtain engineering services.
a. Engineers shall seek opportunities to participate in civic affairs; career
c. Engineers may accept assignments and assume responsibility for a. Engineers shall, whenever possible, name the person or persons who may 6. As noted by the Supreme Court, “nothing in the judgment prevents NSPE
guidance for youths; and work for the advancement of the safety, health,
coordina tion of an entire project and sign and seal the engineering be individually responsible for designs, inventions, writings, or other and its members from attempting to influence governmental action . . .”
and well-being of their community.
documents for the entire project, provided that each technical segment is accomplishments.
b. Engineers shall not complete, sign, or seal plans and/or specifications
signed and sealed only by the qualified engineers who prepared the
that are not in conformity with applicable engineering standards. If the
segment.
client or employer insists on such unprofessional conduct, they shall
3. Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful
notify the proper authorities and withdraw from further service on the
man ner.
project.
a. Engineers shall be objective and truthful in professional reports,
c. Engineers shall endeavor to extend public knowledge and appreciation of Note:
statements, or testimony. They shall include all relevant and pertinent
engineering and its achievements. In regard to the question of application of the Code to corporations vis-a-vis real
information in such reports, statements, or testimony, which should bear
3. Engineers shall avoid all conduct or practice that deceives the public. persons, business form or type should not negate nor influence conformance of individ-
the date indicating when it was current. uals to the Code. The Code deals with professional services, which services must be
a. Engineers shall avoid the use of statements containing a material
b. Engineers may express publicly technical opinions that are founded upon per formed by real persons. Real persons in turn establish and implement policies
misrepresentation of fact or omitting a material fact.
knowledge of the facts and competence in the subject matter. b. Consistent with the foregoing, engineers may advertise for recruitment of within business structures. The Code is clearly written to apply to the Engineer, and it
c. Engineers shall issue no statements, criticisms, or arguments on technical is incum bent on members of NSPE to endeavor to live up to its provisions. This
personnel. applies to all pertinent sections of the Code.
matters that are inspired or paid for by interested parties, unless they have c. Consistent with the foregoing, engineers may prepare articles for the lay
prefaced their comments by explicitly identifying the interested parties
or technical press, but such articles shall not imply credit to the author for
on whose behalf they are speaking, and by revealing the existence of any
work performed by others.
interest the engineers may have in the matters. 4. Engineers shall not disclose, without consent, confidential information con-
4. Engineers shall act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees. cerning the business affairs or technical processes of any present or former 1420 King Street
a. Engineers shall disclose all known or potential conflicts of interest that client or employer, or public body on which they serve. Alexandria, Virginia 22314-2794
could influence or appear to influence their judgment or the quality of a. Engineers shall not, without the consent of all interested parties, promote 703/684-2800 • Fax:703/836-4875
their services. or arrange for new employment or practice in connection with a specific www.nspe.org
b. Engineers shall not accept compensation, financial or otherwise, from Publication date as revised: January 2003 • Publication #1102
project for which the engineer has gained particular and specialized
more than one party for services on the same project, or for services knowledge.
 CASE 5. THE CHALLENGER CASE

After a lot of delays CHALLENGER’S 8th flight was set

up for 28th Jan 1986
Allan McDonald of Morton – Thiokol who designed
the solid–rocket booster knew the problems with the field
joints on previous cold weather joints. And 28th Jan was
expected to be cold.