Question

Engineering Ethics

• Consider Mary's preparation before visiting the site. Did Mary fulfill her professional obligation to her employer? Give an argument for your answer with reference to the ASCE code of Ethics.

• Consider Mary's preparation before visiting the site. Did Mary fulfill her professional obligation to her employer? Give an argument for your answer with reference to the ASCE code of Ethics.

• Consider Mary's preparation before visiting the site. Did Mary fulfill her professional obligation to her employer? Give an argument for your answer with reference to the ASCE code of Ethics.

• Suppose that Mary's boss, after hearing of her experiences on the first day, assigns Alex, a more experienced engineer, to accompany her to the site. Rather than simply advising and supporting her, Alex takes over the inspection process, ignoring Mary but also preventing the cold joint problem. Analyze the ethical positions of Mary, Alex and their boss.

• Imagine yourself as an expert witness for Spire Engineering. How would you assess the actions of Mary and her boss with respect to the firm's liability.

Answer 1

Mary, being a novice in the site, will find many issues to survive. Everyone is a learner once and it is through continuous hard work one becomes successful in their career. She may be trying hard to fit into the company's culture and learning up with the team dynamics. As per Canon 4 of ASCE, engineers should be trustworthy to her employer as well as clients. She has done preparation to fulfill her trust to the firm. But at the same time, as per Canon 2 of ASCE,she should perform services only in her field of expertise. If Mary is not confident in that particular field, she should not attempt to do it, for her lack of knowledge will get reflected in some other way in future.

When Alex was assigned by her boss, it showed the right motive of the boss towards Mary for she needed someone to clarify and advise.

Alex, being an experienced professional, did not comply with the code of ethics. As per Canon 7 , engineer should provide opportunities for professional development of those engineers under supervision. He is responsible to share information, support the development of engineer employees and provide an environment to encourage their professional growth. He should never ignore Mary but rather help her through points of her difficulties. Her boss could have send a better person rather than Alex to help employees like Mary to develop her professional career.