Engineering Ethics Definition: "Engineering ethics is (1) the study of moral issues and decisions confronting individuals and organizations involved in engineering and (2) the study of related questions about moral conduct, character, ideals and relationships of peoples and organizations involved in technological development."— Martin and Schinzinger, Ethics in Engineering. Code of Ethics: The application of engineering ethics provides a consensus on the morality of engineering decisions and defines guidelines for moral conduct by all engineering professionals. Such guidelines are partially based on ethical codes developed by engineering societies, most notably the National Society of Professional Engineers, so as to maintain the aura of professionalism throughout the engineering discipline. Codes of ethics also may encourage engineers to behave in a manner that benefits both the profession and society. Above all else, engineering professionals are in service to society, and so it is implicit in both the ethical codes and engineering ethics, that the public good should be placed above the personal interest of engineers. The Code of Ethics adopted by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers reads: Members of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers shall uphold and advance the integrity, honor and dignity of the engineering profession by: being honest and impartial and serving with fidelity their employers, their clients, and the public; striving to increase the competence and prestige of the engineering profession; and using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of human welfare. To achieve these goals, members shall 1. Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public in performance of their professional duties. 2. Formally advise their employers or clients (and consider further disclosure, if warranted) if they perceive that a consequence of their duties will adversely affect the present or future health or safety of their colleagues or the public. 3. Accept responsibility for their actions and recognize the contributions of others; seek critical review of their work and offer objective criticism of the work of others. 4. Issue statements or present information only in an objective and truthful manner. 5. Act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees, and avoid conflicts of interest. 6. Treat fairly all colleagues and co-workers, recognizing their unique contributions and capabilities. 7. Perform professional services only in areas of their competence. 8. Build their professional reputations on the merits of their services. 9. Continue their professional development throughout their careers, and provide opportunities for the professional development of those under their supervision. Ethical Decision Making Model "A clever man is the one who finds ways out of an unpleasant situation into which a wise man would not have got himself."—Dan Vittorio Segre The following steps are recommended to help you determine your optimum course of action when confronted with an ethical problem: 1. Evaluate all of the information you have available; acquire more information if necessary. You may find that the problem is more (or less) serious than originally thought. 2. Consider how your decision might affect all of your constituencies independent of how it affects you. 3. Consider what ethical values are relevant to the situation. When two or more values are seemingly in conflict you should rank your ethical obligations according to your own moral principles, accepted codes of engineering conduct (AIChE Ethics Code), and the law. 4. Determine the best course of action that takes into account your relevant values and constituencies interests. You may not be able to satisfy everyone's concerns, but you should try. Imagine yourself in another position such as a different company, a neighbor, or a regulatory agency such as the EPA.

Common Constituencies Your Constituency Your Behavior Employees/Collegues/Co-workers Be fair. Provide a safe and healthy environment. Respect individuals. Customers/Clients Produce reliable products and services, on-time delivery, and fair prices. Communities/Public Act as concerned and responsible neighbors. Shareholders Pursue sound growth and earnings objectives. Exercise prudence in the use of assets and resources Suppliers Allow for fair competition. Environment Exercise prudence in the use of natural resources, avoid waste in the consumption of non-renewable, natural resources Ethical Values Your Value Your Behavior Honesty Be truthful in all our endeavors; to be honest and forthright with one another and with our customers, communities,suppliers, and shareholders, Integrity Say what you mean, deliver what you promise, and stand for what is right. Respect for Treat one another with dignity and fairness, appreciating the diversity of Individuals, Human our workforce and the uniqueness of each individual. Promote the Life, and Posterity longterm stability of civilization and the environment. Trustworthiness & Build confidence through fariplay, teamwork and open, candid Fairplay communication. Responsibility Speak up without fear of retribution and report concerns in the work place, including violations of laws, regulations and company policies, and seek clarification and guidance whenever there is doubt. Citizenship Obey all the laws of the countries in which you do business and to do you part to make the communities in which you work and live a better place to be. Competence Reliably perform tasks in your areas of specialization. Recognize and report your limitations. Be involved in life-long learning, updating your engineering (or other) skills as necessary.

10 Rules of Ethics for Engineers (Author Unknown) 1. Don’t duck responsibility. 6. Don’t pass the buck. 2. Don’t fake it. 7. Remember who’s the boss. 3. Remember the big picture. 8. Remember who’s paying you. 4. An ounce of respect is worth a 9. Fish the job. ton of gold. 10. Avoid praise. 5. The job counts—not promotion.