Engineering as Experimentation

&
Engineers as Experimenters
 Engineering As Experimentation
 Engineering involves development of product or project,
and as a whole it can be considered as an experiment.

 To manufacture a product, or to provide a project, we

have to go through some iterative steps. Like

• several assumptions and trials.

•Design and redesign. Etc….

 Design

Fabrication, Assembly,
physical tests,
Simulation

Prototype, Pilot Plant,

Model Study

Final Design

mMManufacture

Fieldstudy

Fig1. Design as an interactive process

 Engineering Project Vs Standard Experiments

Lets identify the similarities and contrasts

Similarities
Partial ignorance

Uncertainty

Continuous monitoring

Learning from the past

 Contrasts

The scientific experiments in the laboratory and the

engineering experiment in the field exhibit ever contrasts as
given below…

Experimental control

Humane touch

Informed consent

Knowledge gained
 ENGINEERS AS RESPONSIBLE
EXPERIMENTERS
The engineers share a greater responsibility while
monitoring the projects, identifying the risks, and informing
the clients and the public with the fact.
Engineers responsibilities
A conscientious commitment to live by moral values.

A comprehensive perspective on relevant information.

( awareness, monitoring side effect) .

Un restricted free-personal involvement in all steps of the

project/ product development (autonomy).

 Be accountable for the results of the project.

 CONSCIENTIOUSNESS
 Being sensitive to full range of moral values and
responsibilities relevant to the prevailing situation.

 The willingness to develop the skill and put the efforts

needed to reach the best balance possible among those
considerations.

Engineers must possess open eyes( moral vision) ,open

ears(moral listening), and an open mind(moral reasoning).

Respect foremost the safety and health of the affected.

The human rights of the participant should be protected

through voluntary and informed consent.
 Comprehensive Perspective

 The Engineers should grasp the context of his work and

ensure that the work involved results in only moral ends.

One should not ignore his conscience, if the product or

project that he is involved will result in damaging the nervous
system of the people. ( or even the enemy, in case of weapon
development)
 Moral Autonomy

 Viewing engineering as social experimentation , and

anticipating unknown consequences should promote an
attitude of questioning about adequacy of the existing
economic and safety standards .

This proves a greater sense of personal involvement in one’s

work.
 Accountability

Capacity to understand and act normal reasons.

Willingness to submit one’s action to moral scrutiny .

 Be responsive to the assessment of others.

Be liable to justify the decisions , actions or means , and

outcomes.
 REFERENCE
 A Text book on professional Ethics and Human Values-
R.S. Nagarazan ,New Age International Publishers
 Codes of Ethics

The ‘codes of ethics’ exhibit

• rights
• duties
• obligations of the members of a profession and a
professional society

Codes are based on

• broad principles of truth
• honesty
• trustworthiness
• respect for human life and welfare
• fairness
• openness
• competence
• accountability
1.Roles exhibited by the codes:

• Inspiration and guidance

• Support to engineers
• Deterrence (discourage to act immorally)
• Education and mutual understanding
• Create good public image
• Protect the status quo
• Promotes business interests
2.Model Codes Of Ethics
The professional engineers shall
• Offer services, advice on or undertake engineering
assignments only in their areas of competence and practice
in careful and diligent manner.
• Acts as faithful agents of their clients or employers,
maintain confidentiality and disclose conflicts of interests
• Keep themselves informed in order to maintain their
competence and provide opportunities for the professional
development of their subordinates.
• Conduct themselves with fairness and good faith towards
clients, colleagues and others, give credits where it is due
and accept, as well as give, honest and fair professional
criticisms
Model Codes Of Ethics (contd.)

• Be aware of and ensure that clients and employers are aware

of societal and environmental consequences of actions or
projects and endeavor to interpret engineering issues to the
public in an objective and truthful manner
• Present clearly to the clients and employers the consequences
if engineering decisions or judgements are overruled or
disregarded.
• Report to their association and/or appropriate agencies any
illegal or unethical engineering decisions or practices by
engineers or others.
3. Limitations

The codes are not remedy for all evils

• General and vague wordings.
• Not applicable to all situations
• Often have internal conflicts
• They can not be treated as final moral authority for
professional conduct
• Only a few enroll as members in professional society and non-
members can not be compelled.
• Even as members of the professional society, many are
unaware of the codes
• Different societies have different codes. The codes can not be
uniform or same.
A Balanced Outlook On Law
The ‘balanced outlook on law’ in engineering practice stresses
• the necessity of laws and regulations
• their limitations in directing and controlling the engineering
practice

Laws are necessary because

• people are not fully responsible by themselves
• of the competitive nature of the free enterprise, which does not
encourage moral initiatives
• they are needed to provide a minimum level of compliance.
1. Code for Builders by Hammurabi
Hummurabi the king of Babylon in 1758 framed the following code for
the builders:

“If a builder has built a house for a man and has not made his work sound
and the house which he has built has fallen down and caused the death of
the householder, that builder shall be put to death.
If it causes the death of the householder’s son, they shall put that builder’s
son to death.
If it causes the death of the householder’s slave, he shall give slave for
slave to the householder.
If it destroys property, he shall replace anything it has destroyed; and
because he has not made the house sound which he has built and it has
fallen down, he shall rebuild the house which has fallen down from his
own property.
If a builder has built a house for a man and does not make his work
perfect and the wall bulges, that builder shall put that wall in sound
condition at his own cost”
This code was expected to put in self-regulation seriously in those years.
2. The United States Steamboat Code: (1852 AD)

• Steam engines in the past were very large and heavy.

• James Watt, Oliver Evans and Richard Trevethik modified
them by removing condensers and made them compact.
• It led to an explosion due to high speed of boat.
• The safety valves were unable to keep the pressure up.
• More than 2000 people were killed.
•. Due to this ruling Congress passed a law which provided for
inspection of the safety aspect of the ships.
• But it became ineffective due to inadequate training,
regarding safety checking , given to inspectors.
•Alfred Guthiro inspected the boats and found the reason for
the explosions and made a report.
• With its help, another law was passed.
• Now the standards formulated by the American Society of
Mechanical Engineers are followed
•3. Proper Role Of Laws

• Good laws when enforced effectively produce benefits.

• They establish minimal standards of professional conduct
and provide a motivation to people.
•They serve as moral support and defense for the people who
are willing to act ethically.
4. Conclusions

• The rules which govern engineering practice should be construed as

of responsible experimentation
• precise rules and sanctions are suitable in case of ethical
misconduct that involves the violation of established engineering
procedures
• they should not compel the engineers to follow rigid courses of
action
• The regulation should be broad, but make engineers accountable
for their decisions
 The Challenger Case Study

• The Space Shuttle Challenger

disaster is well known to us.
• Happened on January 28, 1986.
• Seven astronauts killed as it
exploded just over a minute into
the flight.
• Next few slides is to give a deep
thought into certain facts
revolving around it.
Key Dates

1974 - Morton-Thiokol awarded contract to build solid rocket boosters.

1976 - NASA accepts Morton-Thiokol's booster design.
1977 - Morton-Thiokol discovers joint rotation problem.
November 1981 - O-ring erosion discovered after second shuttle flight.
January 24, 1985 - shuttle flight that exhibited the worst O-ring blow-by.
July 1985 - Thiokol orders new steel billets for new field joint design.
August 19, 1985 - NASA Level I management briefed on booster
problem.
January 27, 1986 - night teleconference to discuss effects of cold
temperature on booster
performance.
January 28, 1986 - Challenger explodes 72 seconds after liftoff
Key Issues

HOW DOES THE IMPLIED SOCIAL CONTRACT OF PROFESSIONALS

APPLY TO THIS CASE?

WHAT PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES WERE NEGLECTED, IF

ANY?

SHOULD NASA HAVE DONE ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY IN THEIR

LAUNCH DECISION PROCEDURE?
BACKGROUND

NASA managers were anxious to launch challenger due to

• Competition from European Space Agency to prove the space transportation
system ‘s cost effectiveness and potential for commercialization
• scheduling backlogs
•Political pressure : As President Reagan had to give state of union address and it
was mainly about education were he was expected to mention shuttle.

 Shuttle rocket boosters (SRBs) are the key elements that produce enough thrust to
overcome earth’s gravitational pull and achieve orbit. Its attached each side of fuel
tank. Its drawback was that once ignited it cannot be turned off or controlled. The
joints where booster segments are joined together is known as field joints. Each joint
is sealed by two O- rings, the bottom ring known as the primary O-ring, and the top
known as the secondary O-ring . The purpose of the O-rings is to prevent hot
combustion gasses from escaping from the inside of the motor.
 LAUNCH DELAYS
• The first delay of the Challenger mission was because of a weather front
expected to move into the area, bringing rain and cold temperatures.
•The second launch delay was caused by a defective micro switch in the
hatch locking mechanism and by problems in removing the hatch handle.
•It was convinced that there were cold weather problems with the solid rocket
motors. Almost half of the shuttle flights had experienced O-ring erosion in
the booster field joints.

ENGINEERING DESIGN

•Increasing O-ring compression in order to decrease Joint Rotation was

taken for analysis where Joint rotation is the opening of gap between the tank
and clevis which was caused due to ballooning of cylinder and changes were
made in the design.
•A new problem was deducted after the flight of the second shuttle mission.
Examination of the booster field joints revealed that the O-rings were eroding
during flight. Study was conducted about the effects of O-ring resiliency at
low temperatures . New steel billets were ordered for the redesign of the
tank.
outside inside

The Solid Rocket Boosters

BEFORE LAUNCH

• Engineers gave a presentation to convince that the cold weather would

exaggerate the problems of joint rotation and delayed O-ring seating. The
lowest temperature experienced by the O-rings in previous mission was
53°F,.So they asked to delay the launch as O-ring erosion was found at this
temperature.
• The managers seemed to believe the O-rings could be eroded up to one
third of their diameter and still seat properly, regardless of the temperature.
The new recommendation stated that launch was recommended, even
though the engineers had no part in writing the new recommendation.

THE LAUNCH
• During the night, temperatures dropped to as low as 8°F. In order to keep
the water pipes in the launch platform from freezing, safety showers and
fire hoses had been turned on. Some of this water had accumulated, and ice
had formed all over the platform.
• The ice inspection team thought the situation was of great concern, but the
launch director decided to go ahead with the countdown.
• The key personal who had to authorize the launch were not aware of the
teleconference about the solid rocket boosters that had taken place the night before.
• Eight hundredths of a second after ignition, the shuttle lifted off. Engineering
cameras focused on the right-hand booster showed about nine smoke puffs coming
from the booster aft field joint. Before the shuttle cleared the tower, oxides from the
burnt propellant temporarily sealed the field joint before flames could escape. Fifty-
nine seconds into the flight, Challenger experienced the most violent wind shear
ever encountered on a shuttle mission. The glassy oxides that sealed the field joint
were shattered by the stresses of the wind shear, and within seconds flames from
the field joint burned through the external fuel tank. Hundreds of tons of propellant
ignited, tearing apart the shuttle. One hundred seconds into the flight, the last bit of
telemetry data was transmitted from the Challenger

ISSUES FOR DISCUSSION

The Challenger disaster has several issues which are relevant to engineers.
 One of the most important issues deals with engineers who are placed in
management positions. It is important that these managers not ignore their
own engineering experience, or the expertise of their subordinate
engineers.
 Another issue is the fact that managers encouraged launching due to the fact that there
was insufficient low temperature data. Since there was not enough data available to
make an informed decision, this was not, in their opinion, grounds for stopping a
launch. This was a reversal in the thinking that went on in the early years of the space
program, which discouraged launching until all the facts were known about a
particular problem.

• The first canon in the ASME Code of Ethics urges engineers to "hold paramount the
safety, health and welfare of the public in the performance of their professional
duties." Every major engineering code of ethics reminds engineers of the importance
of their responsibility to keep the safety and well being of the public at the top of their
list of priorities. Although company loyalty is important, it must not be allowed to
override the engineer's obligation to the public.
 MULTI NATIONAL COORPERATIONS

• A multinational company is one which is incorporated in one country (called the

home country); but whose operations extend beyond the home country and which
carries on business in other countries (called the host countries) in addition to the
home country. It must be emphasized that the headquarters of a multinational
company are located in the home country.
• A multinational corporation is known by various names such as: global enterprise,
international enterprise, world enterprise, transnational corporation etc.
Features of Multinational Corporations (MNCs):
1. Huge Assets and Turnover:
2. International Operations Through a Network of Branches:
3. Unity of Control:
4. Mighty Economic Power
5. Professional Management:
6. Better Quality of Products:
7. Aggressive Advertising and Marketing:
Advantages of MNCs from the Viewpoint of Host Country

1. Employment Generation
2. Automatic Inflow of Foreign Capital
3. Proper Use of Idle Resources
4. Improvement in Balance of Payment Position
5. Technical Development
6. Managerial Development
7. End of Local Monopolies
8. Improvement in Standard of Living
9. Promotion of international brotherhood and culture
Limitations of MNCs from the Viewpoint of Host Country

1. Danger for Domestic Industries:

2. Repatriation of Profits:
3. No Benefit to Poor People
4. Danger to Independence:
5. Disregard of the National Interests of the Host Country
6. Misuse of Mighty Status
7. Careless Exploitation of Natural Resources:
8. Selfish Promotion of Alien Culture
9. Exploitation of People, in a Systematic Manner
Environmental Ethics
What is environmental ethics???
• Part of environmental
philosophy

• Extending traditional
boundaries of ethics from
solely including humans to
include non-human world.
Definitions
• Moral Standing: To ask if
an entity has moral standing is to
ask whether the well-being of
that entity should be taken into
account by others
• Your interests and well-
being must be weighed
when deciding what is
permissible to do.
 Definitions

• Moral Duties
– That which is owed by
moral agents to those
with moral standing.
– Example: It is wrong to
kill girl children
because we have a
moral duty toward
them
 Fundamental question
• What duties do humans
have with respect to
environment and why??
– Does the environment have
moral standing?
– Must look at criteria for
moral standing
• What moral duty do we
(moral agents) have toward
those with moral standing?
– Different ethical positions
suggest different moral
duties.

Yosemite National Park

Who should be considered for moral
standing???
• All human beings…
• Many of the concerns we have
regarding the environment appear to
be concerns because of the way they
effect human beings.
Extending moral standing

• Sentience, the
ability to feel pain
– Therefore extend
moral standing to
animals
Extending moral standing
• Being alive
– Therefore extend
moral standing to
animals and plants:
– All living things.
Extending Moral Standing
• Being part of nature
– Therefore extend
moral standing to the
• earth
• ecosystems
• rocks
• rivers
• plants animals
• the entire natural
world
 Ethical Positions
• Anthropocentrism:
Human centered
morality
– Only humans have
intrinsic value and
moral standing.
– The rest of the
natural world has
instrumental value
(use to humans).
Art work representing global warming
Anthropocentrism
– We can best protect nature
by looking out for human
needs.
• Ex: Ducks Unlimited
preserves wetlands
• Ex: pollution diminishes
our health.
• Anthropocentric ethics have
never played a part in
extending moral standing.
• But granting of moral
standing to future
generations have
considered necessary.
Ethical Positions
• Sentio-centrism:
Sentient-being
centered morality
– All and only sentient beings
(animals that feel pain) have
intrinsic value and moral
standing.
– The rest of the natural world
has instrumental value.
– Both humans and sentient
animals have rights and/or
interests that must be
considered
Ethical Positions
• Biocentric Individualism:
Life-centered morality
– All and only living beings,
specifically individual organisms
(not species or ecosystems) have
intrinsic value and moral standing.
– Humans are not superior to other
life forms nor privileged, and must
respect the inherent worth of
every organism
– Humans should minimize harm and
interference with nature: eat
vegetarian since less land needs to
be cultivated.
Ethical Positions
• Eco-centric Holism:
ecosystem centered morality
• Albert Schweitzer
• We are part of land.
• Food chains conduct energy up ward
from soil, death and decay brings it back
to soil.
• Individuals must be concerned about
the whole community of life/nature,
• Humans should strive to preserve
ecological balance and stability.
 Patriarchal Dualisms
• Greek, Roman, Hebrew:
– Humans are separate from
• and superior to nature
– Human, mind, rationality, and man
• are linked and superior
– Nature, body, feelings, and woman
• are linked, and inferior
– Justifies domination by men over
• Nature
• Women

Aristotle
Ecofeminism

• Rejects Patriarchal Dualisms

– The domination of nature by men is

wrong
• is similar to and related to the
domination of women by men.

– Must break the pattern of "power

over" relationships
• will benefit both women and the
natural world.
Deep Ecology
• Humans are deeply
connected with nature.
• If humans identify with
nature, then taking care
of the natural world will
become part of taking
care of one's self.
Radical Ecology
• Extending moral standing is not
sufficient
• We have to change very way we
live and function , both as
society and individuals
Bioregionalism
• Lead a simple life with
local production of food
and other products by
people that you know
– Increases environmental
awareness and caring
– decreases exploitation of
the environment and
people.
Computer Ethics
What is computer ethics???.

• a part of practical philosophy

which concerns with how
computing professionals should
make decisions regarding
professional and social conduct
 Issues of computer ethics

• Intellectual property rights such

as copyrighted electronic
content, privacy concerns, and
how computer affects society.
Intellectual property rights is
works created by inventors
authors and artists
Example : It is easy to access someone’s personal information
on a computer system , computer ethics would advise such an
action is unethical.
 Categarising Intellectual Property

• Industrial property:Which includes inventions(patents),

trademarks,industrial designs,commercial names,
designations and geographic indications

• Copyright:which include literary and artistic works such as

novels poems and plays,filims,musecial works ,artistic works
,such as drawings ,paintings and photograph
Copy rights

• Copy right is a legal concept

,enacted by most governments ,
giving creator of original work
exclusive rights to it , usually for
a limited time.
 Advantages and limitations
of copyright laws

• Can protect intellectual property

Example : novels ,poems etc
• Protects only form of expression of ideas , not ideas themselves
-once an online work has been produced any one can develop
similar work
based on that ideas.
• For works made available over communications network ,the
copyright protects original authorship.
 NETIQUTTES
• About various risks related to using internet
• Real people exist behind computers
-you are dealing with people , not machines. So think twice before you
press send button in
mail/chat
-keep these people in mind when saying something on network.
• Protect your privacy
-Be aware of risks, fraud and false information which exists on internet
-Protect your personal information to keep someone from using it in
unethical way
• Avoid spamming
-spamming is sending unsolicited bulk and/or commercial messages
over internet.
-spamming is bad if it is intended to destroy and is done by infringing on
right of privacy of others
 Help making network better

• Try to make a contribution to network

-Example: try to write articles or blogs on a topic of your interest.
Try to share your views on certain subjects so some other people
will benefit from you.
-Try to share links of relavent topics
 Ten Commandments of
Computer Ethics
• Thou shalt not use a computer to harm other people.
• Thou shalt not interfere with other people's computer work.
• Thou shalt not snoop around in other people's computer files.
• Thou shalt not use a computer to steal.
• Thou shalt not use a computer to bear false witness.
• Thou shalt not copy or use proprietary software for which you have not
paid (without permission).
• Thou shalt not use other people's computer resources without
authorization or proper compensation.
• Thou shalt not appropriate other people's intellectual output.
• Thou shalt think about the social consequences of the program you are
writing or the system you are designing.
• Thou shalt always use a computer in ways that ensure consideration and
respect for your fellow humans.
ENGINEERS AS MANAGERS
“Many people going through the transition to
manager feel ineffective and frustrated, but it
doesn’t have to be that way, Engineers are
uniquely qualified to be managers and
leaders, in large part because they understand
systems-thinking so well. Once you understand
that organizations are simply systems of
people, you’ve got it made.”
B. Michael Aucoin, IEEE Senior member
 What is Engineering Management?

→a specialized form of management that is

required to successfully lead engineering or
technical personnel and projects.
→can be used to describe either functional
management or project management.
 Important skills to have
Good communication skills
90 percent of a manager’s job involves communicating
through making presentations at meetings, responding to e-
mail and phone calls, and visiting customers
Handling conflicts with staff members
When differences of opinion are expressed in a healthy way
with a good process, it leads to better products and services
Concentrating on the customer
Engineers like to do things that are technically elegant, but
that’s not necessarily what customers are most interested in
CONSULTING ENGINEERS
 What is consulting engineering?

-a professional service that provides

independent expertise in engineering, science
and related areas to governments, industries,
developers and construction firms
 Consultants
 Individuals who typically work for themselves but
may also be associated with a consulting firm.

 They, for a fee, gives advice or provides a service in a

field of specialized knowledge or training

 Can play a multi-faceted role

- for example, as advisors, fixers, bosses,
generalists, stabilizers, listeners, advisors, specialists,
catalysts, managers or quasi-employees
 Bringing in an expert can save time, effort and money

 Meets the companies’ needs of short-term technical expertise

- for eg., when the company may not have anyone on staff
capable of solving the specific problem

 Hiring a consultant with experience in a given area can cut

days, weeks or even months off a project schedule

 Also, a consultant can help the staff avoid mistakes they

may otherwise make.
In a consulting engineering company you will
find people with:

• every kind of technical specialization

• a wide range of ages and experience levels
• business, financial and administrative expertise
• construction knowledge and experience
• managerial expertise
• business development skills
• project managers
 ENGINEERS AS EXPERT
WITNESSES AND ADVISORS
 What is an Expert Witness?

Unlike fact witnesses whose testimony can describe only

personal observations, experience or knowledge,
expert witnesses are allowed, even expected, to
express opinions about matters in which they have
been accepted as having special knowledge that the
average person does not possess.
Expert witnesses are needed to interpret technical
information for people who do not have the knowledge
to evaluate it, understand its meaning and apply it to
the process of making a decision about the matter at
hand.
 Why do we need Experts ?

 Clarity
 Determination of Liability
 Assessment of Quantum
 Resolution
 Narrowing differences
 Guidance for Court
 Interpretation and implementation of
Judgments
 THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF
EXPERT WITNESSES
Mr Justice Cresswell summarised the duties of experts in the
Ikarian Reefer 1993 2 LILR 68, 81-82.

This states:
• Expert evidence presented to the court should be, and should be seen to
be, the independent product of the expert uninfluenced as to form or
content by the exigencies of litigation
• An expert witness should provide independent assistance to the court by
way of objective unbiased opinion in relation to matters within his
expertise.
• An expert witness should state the facts or assumptions upon which his
opinion is based. He should not omit to consider material facts which could
detract from his concluded opinion.
• An expert witness should make it clear when a particular question or issue
falls outside his expertise.
• If an expert’s opinion is not properly researched because he considers that
insufficient data is available, then this must be stated with an indication
that the opinion is no more than a provisional one.

• If the expert cannot assert that the report contains the truth, the whole
truth and nothing but the truth without some qualification, that
qualification should be stated in the report.

• If, after exchange of reports, an expert witness changes his view on a

material matter having read the other side’s expert’s report, or for any
other reason, such change of view should be communicated (though legal
representatives) to the other side without delay and (where appropriate) to
the court.

• Where expert evidence refers to photographs, plans, calculations, analyses,

measurements, survey reports, or other similar documents, they must be
provided to the opposite party at the same time as the exchange of reports
MORAL LEADERSHIP
• There is a need for moral leadership in engineering.
Leadership should not be confused with headship, i.e.
being the head of a group.
• A person may be a leader even without being the head of
the group. Moral leadership implies the ability to direct,
motivate, organize, creatively manage, or in other ways
move groups towards morally valuable goals.
• One of the main avenues for moral leadership is through
involvement in professional societies, which are vested
with the task of furthering technical knowledge and
representing engineers collectively, but also play the
significant role of helping in establishing high standards of
moral integrity.
• These societies provide a forum for communicating,
organizing, and mobilizing change with a moral
dimension within and by large groups.
• Leadership can also be displayed through community
service. Engineers can come forward to provide
voluntary service to needy groups, and initiate
discussions between engineers and disadvantaged
groups to find ways in which the needs of specific
individuals and groups may be met.
SAMPLE CODE OF ETHICS
• Morality may be defined as the standards of conduct that
apply to all members of society. Every individual in a rational
society is expected to conform to these standards. E.g. respect
for the rights of others; fairness in dealings; honesty;
considering the welfare of others etc.

• Professional ethics, on the other hand, are those standards of

conduct that every member of a profession is expected to
follow. E.g. honesty, loyalty, confidentiality, knowledge,
diligence, protecting public safety and health etc.

• Code of ethics provides a framework for ethical judgment; is a

starting point for ethical decision making; expresses
commitment to ethical conduct shared by all members of a
profession; and defines roles and responsibilities.

• However, code of ethics is neither a substitute for sound

moral judgment, nor a legal document, nor a legal document,
whose breach may invite legal procedures like arrest.
• Code of ethics helps by establishing ethical
behavior as the norm. It serves as a reminder
of how to act in specific situations.
• It acts as a safeguard against pressures to act
unethically, and strengthens the individual by
indicating there is a collective sense of correct
behavior. It also serves to highlight the
profession’s commitment to responsible
conduct.
ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers ) Code
of Ethics of Engineers
ASME requires ethical practice by each of its members and has adopted the
following Code of Ethics of Engineers as referenced in the ASME
Constitution.
The Fundamental Principles
Engineers uphold and advance the integrity, honor and dignity of the
engineering profession by:
1. Using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of human welfare;
2. Being honest and impartial, and serving with fidelity the public, their
employers and clients; and
3. Striving to increase the competence and prestige of the engineering
profession.
 The Fundamental Canons
• Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the
public in the performance of their professional duties.
• Engineers shall perform services only in the areas of their competence.
• Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout
their careers and shall provide opportunities for the professional and
ethical development of those engineers under their supervision.
• Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client
as faithful agents or trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of interest or the
appearance of conflicts of interest.
• Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their
services and shall not compete unfairly with others.
• Engineers shall associate only with reputable persons or organizations.
• Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and
truthful manner.
• Engineers shall consider environmental impact in the performance of
their professional duties.
 IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)
Code of Ethics
PREAMBLE
Engineers affect the quality of life for all people in our complex
technological society. In the pursuit of their profession,
therefore, it is vital that engineers conduct their work in an
ethical manner so that they merit the confidence of
colleagues, employers, clients and the public. This IEEE Code
of Ethics is a standard of professional conduct for engineers.
ARTICLE I
Engineers shall maintain high standards of diligence, creativity
and productivity, and shall:
1. Accept responsibility for their actions;
2. Be honest and realistic in stating claims or estimates
from available data;
3. Undertake engineering tasks and accept responsibility
only if qualified by training or experience, or after full
disclosure to their employers or clients of pertinent
qualifications;
4. Maintain their professional skills at the level of the
state of the art, and recognize the importance of
current events in their work;
5. Advance the integrity and prestige of the engineering
profession by practicing in a dignified manner and for
adequate compensation.
ARTICLE II
Engineers shall, in their work:
1. Treat fairly all colleagues and coworkers, regardless of
race, religion, sex, age or national origin;
2. Report, publish and disseminate freely information to
others, subject to legal and proprietary restraints;
3. Encourage colleagues and co-workers to act in accord
with this Code and support them when they do so;
4. Seek, accept and offer honest criticism of work, and
properly credit the contributions of others;
5. Support and participate in the activities of their
professional societies;
6. Assist colleagues and co-workers in their professional
development.
ARTICLE III
Engineers shall, in their relations with employers and clients:
1. Act as faithful agents or trustees for their employers or
clients in professional and business matters, provided such
actions conform with other parts of this Code;
2. Keep information on the business affairs or technical
process of an employer or client in confidence while
employed, and later, until such information is properly
released, provided such actions conform with other parts
of this Code;
3. Inform their employers, clients, professional societies or
public agencies or private agencies of which they are
members or to which they may make presentations, of any
circumstance that could lead to a conflict of interest;
4. Neither give nor accept, directly or indirectly, any
gift, payment or service of more than nominal
value to or from those having business
relationships with their employers or clients;
5. Assist and advise their employers or clients in
anticipating the possible consequences, direct
and indirect, immediate or remote, of the
projects, work or plans of which they have
knowledge.
ARTICLE IV
Engineers shall, in fulfilling their responsibilities to
the community:
1. Protect the safety, health and welfare of the
public and speak out against abuses in these
areas affecting the public interest;
2. Contribute professional advice, as appropriate,
to civic, charitable or other non-profit
organizations;
3. Seek to extend public knowledge and
appreciation of the engineering profession and
its achievements.
 ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers ) Code
of Ethics
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 the
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.
 INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS(INDIA)
CODE OF ETHICS
1. A Corporate Member shall utilise his knowledge and expertise
for the welfare, health and safety of the community without
any discrimination for sectional or private interests.
2. A Corporate Member shall maintain the honour, integrity and
dignity in all his professional actions to be worthy of the trust
of the community and the profession.
3. A Corporate Member shall act only in the domains of his
competence and with diligence, care, sincerity and honesty.
4. A Corporate Member shall apply his knowledge and expertise
in the interest of his employer or the clients for whom he shall
work without compromising with other obligations to these
Tenets.
5. A Corporate Member shall not falsify or misrepresent his own
or his associates' qualifications, experience, etc.
6 . A Corporate Member, wherever necessary and relevant, shall
take all reasonable steps to inform himself, his employer or clients,
of the environmental, economic, social and other possible
consequences, which may arise out of his actions.
7. A Corporate Member shall maintain utmost honesty and
fairness in making statements or giving witness and shall do so on
the basis of adequate knowledge.
8. A Corporate Member shall not directly or indirectly injure the
professional reputation of another member.
9. A Corporate Member shall reject any kind of offer that may
involve unfair practice or may cause avoidable damage to the
ecosystem.
10. A Corporate Member shall be concerned about and shall
act in the best of his abilities for maintenance of sustainability
of the process of development.
11. A Corporate Member shall not act in any manner which
may injure the reputation of the Institution or which may
cause any damage to the Institution financially or otherwise.
 IIMM(Indian Institute of Materials Management)
CODE OF ETHICS
The code of Ethics to be observed by member of IIMM is given
as under:
1. To consider first the total interest of one’s organization in
all transactions without impairing the dignity and
responsibility to one’s office.

2.To buy without prejudice seeking to obtain the maximum

ultimate value for each rupee of expenditure.

3.To subscribe and work for honesty and truth in buying and
selling, to denounce all forms and manifestations of
commercial bribery and to eschew anti-social practices.
4.To accord a prompt and courteous reception,
so far as conditions will permit, to all who call
upon a legitimate business mission.

5.To respect one’s obligations and those of one’s

organization consistent with good business
practice.