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GENG 215: Engineering Ethics – Fall 2019

Homework 1 – Form OAFA19

Case 1: A Fresh Graduate Engineer – 100 points

(Individual Homework – Due Date: One Week) Written by: Dr. Omar J. Al-Khatib

This case is a comprehensive engineering ethics case study aims to cover as much as possible of
ethical issues to explain how to apply the NSPE code of ethics. In addition, comprehensive case
would improve brainstorming and peer discussion.

IMPORTANT: USE THIS SHEET AS A COVER PAGE WHEN SUBMITTING HOMEWORK

Name: .........Mohammed Alneyadi. ID: .....................201831096.......................

A young engineering student just graduated from college recently. He is specialized in building
design and construction. He is hired as a trainee engineer in an engineering office and working
with the senior engineer. After working for a few months, he noticed that his projects are not
reviewed by the office’s senior engineer and approval directly for construction. This engineer
starts to involve with projects designed for large number of people such as schools and public
offices. He is worried that he would make a mistake in his designs and kill someone due to un-
reviewed projects. He talked to the office manager who informed him that all projects go
through second review by office’s mechanical engineer who uses a software to verify final
results. The civil engineer disagrees with his supervisor and discussed these issues with his
college supervisor who advised he cannot continue in this situation and put people’s life at risk.
However, he asked to wait and see if this practice is temporary and projects are not reviewed
due to increase of office workload.

After a while, the civil engineer was talking to a project contractor who informed him that all
engineering office projects are approved by municipality without check due to the senior
engineer professional reputation. Moreover, the contractor is given all office projects because
of his friendship with senior engineer. The contractor offered him to leave the engineering office
and join him for higher salary. This conversion increased the civil engineer even more and put
him in a daily concern of what to do in this situation. What the civil engineer should do?

Answer the following question:

1. 1- What are the civil engineer ethical and moral obligations? (10 POINTS – CLO 1)

 He’s concerning about public safety


 He’s cooperative with he’s colleges
 He’s an honest person
 He holds his responsibility toward the general public and he’s supervisors
 He’s a hard worker
2. 2- What is the ethical dilemma in this case? (15 POINTS – CLO 2)

 Either: he reports the flaws of he’s colleague and supervisors in the current
situation or he sit back and accept he’s promotion.
 Either: he either report the current situation to the authorities or maintain he’s
supervisor’s reputation

3. 3- What are the ethical issues involved in this case? (15 POINTS – CLO 2)

Think of Moral/Ethical issues as:

1. Actions that have the potential to harm others or help others in justly.
2. Any negative impact of project, action, or decision

 First ethical issue: he could face he’s supervisors about the


current situation but he will risk losing their trust and promotion
or worst case scenario he could lose he’s job.

 Second ethical issue: he either report the current situation to the
authority and save people’s life but he will damage he’s supervisor
reputation and harm the company.

4. 4- (EthicalFramework):(25POINTS–CLO4)
What the civil engineer should do in this case based on NSPE code of ethics – Use two
Canons?

Canon I and VI of the NSPE Code of Ethics states: Engineers, in the fulfillment of
their professional duties, shall hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the
public, and in the sixth Canon, shall conduct themselves honorably, responsibly,
ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the
profession. It is in the interest of the general public’s safety, which an engineer must
hold paramount, that the current issue with the civil engineer’s company’s operation
be resolved internally or reported externally with immediate effect to preserve the
safety of the general public. Not only is this a Canon of the NSPE Code of Ethics, but
it is the first one, carrying the heaviest weight above all other considerations and
interests, including the possibility of the civil engineer losing his employment. Per
the sixth Canon, this comes in the best interests of the engineering profession to
maintain its integrity, honor, and reputation.
5. 5- (Moral Framework): (25 POINTS – CLO 3)
What the civil engineer should do in this case based on Moral theories and beliefs (e.g.
Utilitarianism,

Virtue Ethics, Duty and Rights Ethics)?

Utilitarianism: to maximize the overall profit and following legal actions is to


prioritize public safety over he’s job

Virtue: the engineer should keep his morals and personal thought which should
prioritize his professionalism and public safety. Thus, the engineer should try to solve
the problem internally before going externally in order to ensure public safety.

Duty: One of engineer’s duty is to ensure public safety and also to be loyal to his
colleague. So, the engineer should try to find a solution within his company if it’s not
possible the engineer should prioritize public safety.

Rights: the ethical theory which state the right no to be interfered with works against
the engineer which mean that reporting outside is prohibited. But public are humans
which the safety is one of their rights.

6. 6- (PreventiveEthics):(10POINTS–CLO2)
What could be UNETHICAL or IMMROAL behavior in this case (Choose one)?

Simply, the greatest ethical/moral offense the civil engineer could commit is to keep
silent and let the issue slide past his scrutiny. At least, his integrity and
professionalism are ruined. At worst, loss of life and costly damage could be incurred
if any public service building fails due to the company’s faulty processes and
inexcusable negligence.

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