Introduction to Engineering

• Engineering families carry out engineering activities.
• Engineering families succeed when each member understands and plays their role, with roles sometimes overlapping.
• The Council for the Regulations of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) recognizes four cadres in engineering professional practice: Craftsman/Artisan, Technician, Technologist, and Engineer.

Craftsman/Artisan

• They are important and do the final phase of engineering work.
• Craftsmen uses their hands and be highly skilled in aspects of engineering practice to recognize and use engineering tools and materials for production.
• Craftsman examples include masons, carpenters, mechanics, electricians, plumbers, and machine operators.
• Craftsmen undergo certificate vocational training after primary or junior secondary school.
• Most craftsmen are trained on the job in Nigeria.

Technician

• Technicians are formally trained in a technical college in one or more specific aspect of engineering practice.
• Technicians supervise craftsmen.
• Technicians are expected to hold an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) or a National Diploma (ND) from a College of Technology or Polytechnic.
• Technician examples include foremen in construction sites, supervisors in factories, and heads of maintenance or quality control teams.
• Technicians are more versatile and supervise the work of different craftsmen.

Technologist

• Technologist training is up to the Higher National Diploma (HND) level from a Polytechnic, College of Technology, or relevant institution.
• Technologist serves partly as operators and partly as managers.
• Technologists possess most of the skills of artisans plus some analytical skills of engineers.
• Holders of Bachelor's degrees in engineering technology from a University are also recognized as technologists.

Engineers

• Engineers lead engineering families, with a Bachelor's degree or higher (Masters and PhD).
• Engineers possess analytical and managerial skills to design, analyze, and manage engineering systems, including man and materials.
• An engineer may not be knowledgeable in artisan skills, but should provide leadership, guidance, and supervision.

Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE)

• The NSE ensures professional standards in Nigeria.
• NSE has different levels of membership registration.
• MNSE means Member Nigerian Society of Engineers.
• FNSE means Fellow Nigerian Society of Engineers.
• NSE members can add their acronym after their names depending on their level of membership.

Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN)

• COREN regulates Nigerian engineering practice.
• COREN registers individual Engineers, Technologists, or Technicians, and gives a registration number.
• Companies doing engineering practices also register with COREN.
• Only engineers registered with COREN can add "Engr." before their names.
• Technologists that obtained higher qualifications (PGD and Masters) in engineering can upgrade their registration to the cadre of engineers and start to use the title "Engr.”
• Professional titles come before other titles, such as Engr. Dr. Y. S. Mohammad and Engr. Prof. M. U. Garba MNSE.

Professional Ethics and Conduct for the Engineer

• Engineering professionals must exhibit the highest standards of honesty and integrity.
• The services provided by engineers require honesty, impartiality, fairness, and equity.
• Engineering activity must be dedicated to public health, safety, and welfare.
• Engineers must maintain a standard of professional behavior that requires adherence to ethical conduct.

Engineering Ethics

• Engineering professionals have authority and must exercise it carefully.
• Engineering ethics includes being a project leader, practicing engineering, and supervising younger professionals.
• Rules that govern the conduct of engineers (Engineering Ethics) are:
• Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public.
• Perform services only in areas of competence.
• Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
• Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees.
• Avoid deceptive acts.
• Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession.

Safety in Engineering

• Accidents are unpleasant and unexpected incidents with potential for injury or death.
• Events that lead to human death should be avoided at all costs.

Types of Accidents

• Motor Vehicle Accidents
• Drowning
• Fire
• Falls
• Natural Disasters
• Work-Related Accidents
• Poison

Causes of Accidents

• Accidents can be caused by:
• Unsafe Acts are actions in a workshop or factory that may result to an accident - either unintentional or intentional; for example, smoking in a room where petrol is stored, or putting sharp tools in one's pocket.
• Unsafe Conditions are conditions that may cause accidents ranging from the physical conditions of the factory to the equipment orderliness; for example, working with factory equipment is associated with great risk.
• Materials, machines, and people interact to produce goods and services.
• Safety engineering reduces, controls, or eliminates hazardous conditions that pose a threat to life and property.
• Sources of hazardous conditions include:
• Fire
• Machines
• Human Behavior
• Electricity
• Floor Conditions/Plan Layout
• Environmental Conditions
• Use of Chemicals

Effects of Accidents

• Accidents can cause human injury, time loss, and material or equipment damages.
• Human injury ranges from simple (loss of a finger) to extreme (death).
• Accidents may damage raw materials or machines resulting in loss of revenue.
• Costs associated with workplace accidents include:
• Loss of Work Hours
• Medical Expenses
• Insurance Premiums and Administration
• Property Damage
• Indirect Costs
• Accidents that do not lead to injuries still translate to a loss of production time.