Real World Scenarios
What form of weather caused an engineering ethics decision to be made on the morning of the Challenger launch?
Freezing temperatures, ice, and wind shear
Engineers must avoid disclosing these to their employers or clients
conflicts of interest
Engineers shall undertake assignments only when qualified by this combination
education/training and experience in the specific technical skill
What three-part standard should engineers follow pertaining to the public?
Public health, safety, and welfare
When should Engineers be truthful?
On professional reports, statements, and testimonies
This structural engineering crisis in Manhattan involved chevron bracing that had been swapped from welded joints to bolted joints during construction, rendering the building vulnerable to diagonal winds
Citicorp Center wind-bracing crisis
Accepting financial or other consideration from more than one party for services on the same project is prohibited unless this condition is met
full disclosure to all interested parties
An engineer may accept an assignment outside their core field of competence only when...
the specific segments of the project are carried out by qualified technical experts, consultants, or specialists
If an engineer’s professional judgment is overruled under circumstances that endanger life or property, what action must they take regarding their employer or client.
notify their employer/client
An engineer must avoid this practice involving taking credit for something belonging to another person without proper attribution
Plagiarism
This 1981 catastrophic failure occurred after a subtle design modification doubled the load on a hanger rod connection supporting suspended tea dance walkways, leading to 114 deaths
Kansas City Hyatt Regency walkway collapse
An engineer who is a member of a municipal planning board must withdraw themselves from voting on a private development project if they have this type of connection to the developer
financial or business relationship (or personal conflict)
Because of what key rule engineers cannot sign documents if they lack the technical knowledge or training for that specific subject
Competence
Engineers shall not complete, sign, or seal plans/designs that are not of this specific quality standard
conformity with accepted engineering standards
True or False: Giving or offering a bribe to secure work is in compliance with the Code of Ethics
False
This corporate engineering scandal involved programming diesel engine control units to detect when regulatory testing was underway and artificially reduce nitrogen oxide emissions to legal limits during the test cycle
The Volkswagen emissions scandal
Engineers shall not solicit or accept a financial or valuable consideration from these entities in connection with work for which they are responsible.
outside agents, contractors, or material suppliers
Continuing education and staying current with modern engineering practices support this requirement under professional competency guidelines
maintaining and improving technical competence
Under the NSPE Code, if public safety is compromised by a client or employer's refusal to follow an engineer's recommendation, who is the engineer obligated to report it to?
proper authorities and/or the affected public/client
When issuing public statements on engineering matters, engineers must refrain from making this type of bias.
paid/biased commercial endorsement
This classic 1970s automotive engineering case study involved placing the fuel tank behind the rear axle in a subcompact car, creating high explosion risks during rear-end collisions that management allegedly weighed against recall litigation costs
Ford Pinto fuel placement
Publicly employed engineers must not accept engineering employment or contracts from this specific group if it creates a competing interest with their public duties.
private practice/outside clients where they review public projects
A PE who signs a plan prepared by an unlicenced subordinate must maintain this operational control over the work.
responsible charge
What kind of enterprise must engineers never engage in or associate in business with any person or firm they believe is engaged in?
Fraudulent or dishonest enterprise
In competitive bidding or seeking professional-level contracts, engineers must not falsify or misrepresent this aspect of their past academic or professional record
qualifications, experience, or past projects