Engineering Ethics: Safety & Risk Management

Lecture 6: Safety & Risk in Engineering

• This lecture covers ethical and professional responsibilities of engineers regarding risk assessment and management.
• It examines the perspectives of engineers, the public, and government regulators, along with legal implications of risk.

Responsibility to Assess and Manage Risk

• Engineers define risk as the product of the probability of harm and the magnitude of that harm.
• Traditionally, engineers have focused on quantifiable harms like economic losses and loss of life.

Design Codes, Operational Rules and Innovation

• Design codes provide rules for producing safe designs and preventing unacceptable risks.
• Operational and maintenance rules are crucial for managing risk during engineering system operation.
• Innovations can increase risks; engineers must identify and address these new risks introduced by new solutions.

The Public's Perspective on Risk

• The public tends to consider unfamiliar risks more dangerous than familiar ones, even with similar probabilities.
• Voluntary risks are often perceived more favorably than involuntary risks.
• Free and informed consent, and equitable distribution of risk, are important for public acceptance of risk.

Communicating Risk to the Public

• Use clear and simple language the public understands.
• Acknowledge the limitations of risk assessments.
• Recognize that social and ethical considerations are essential in determining acceptable risk, beyond monetary costs.

The Engineer's Liability for Risk

• Tort law addresses harm to individuals due to negligence.
• The standard of proof in tort law is lower than in science or criminal proceedings.
• Engineers need good records and adherence to the standard of care to defend against liability claims.

The Capabilities Approach to Risk Assessment

• This approach focuses on well-being in terms of individual capabilities.
• The first step is to identify capabilities that might be impacted by a disaster.
• The method aims to measure the impact of hazards on individual well-being.

Becoming a Responsible Engineer

• Be aware of the complexities of risk assessment and different perspectives.
• Communicate effectively with the public, acknowledging their concerns, and providing expert information.
• Protect people from harm, particularly from unconsented or unjustly distributed risks.