Engineering Ethics and Profession - PDF

The Engineering Family Engineering family is a group of people who carry out engineering activities. The engineering family can only succeeds if each member of the family understands and plays his role effectively. In most cases the roles are clear, but sometimes they overlap. The Council for the Re...

The Engineering Family Engineering family is a group of people who carry out engineering activities. The engineering family can only succeeds if each member of the family understands and plays his role effectively. In most cases the roles are clear, but sometimes they overlap. The Council for the Regulations of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) recognizes four cadres in engineering professional practice. These four cadres that make up the engineering family are: Craftsman/Artisan; Technician; Technologist; Engineer. Craftsman/Artisan He is the most important member of the family. He does the final phase of the engineering work. He makes use of his hands and he is highly skilled in one or more aspects of engineering practice to the extent that he can recognize and use engineering tools and materials for production and services in a plant or engineering work. These members of the family include: masons, carpenters, mechanics, electricians, plumbers, machine operators, e.t.c. Although, a craftsman is expected to undergo a certificate vocational training in his chosen area after primary or junior secondary school, he is mostly trained on the job in Nigeria. Technician A technician is formally trained in a technical college in more than one specific aspect of engineering practice. He is usually the direct supervisor of the craftsman. He is expected to hold an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) or a National Diploma (ND) from a College of Technology or Polytechnic. These members of the family include: a foreman in a construction site, a supervisor in a factory, a head of maintenance team, a head of quality control e.t.c. Whereas a craftsman specializes in a specific role, the technician is more versatile and he is expected to supervise the works of different craftsmen under him. Technologist The technologist has a higher training than the technician, usually up to Higher National Diploma (HND) in a Polytechnic, College of Technology or other relevant institutions. In industry, they function partly as operators and partly as managers. Usually, they possess most of the skills of the artisans plus some of the analytical skills of the engineers. Holders of Bachelor’s degree in engineering technology from a University are also recognized as technologists. Engineers The engineer is the head of the family and he is usually a holder of a Bachelor’s degree in engineering and sometimes higher degrees (Masters and PhD). By training, he possess mostly analytical and managerial skills to design, analyse and manage engineering systems including man and materials. He may not necessarily be detailed or knowledgeable in the skills of the artisan, but should be able to provide leadership guidance and supervision. Professional Bodies Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) is a registered association (umbrella body) of all engineering disciplines aimed to ensure professional standards in the practice of engineering in Nigeria. In NSE, there are different levels of membership registration for individuals, namely: Member Nigerian Society of Engineers (MNSE) Fellow Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE) Depending on their level of membership, members that are registered with NSE can add the above acronym after their names. Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) is a government owned organization that has the sole responsibility of regulating engineering practice in Nigeria. It is a requirement for all engineering professionals to register as individual Engineers, Technologist or Technicians with COREN and obtain a unique registration number. Also, companies that want to go into engineering practices (consultancy, contracts e.t.c) are also required to register with COREN as Engineering firms/companies. Furthermore, among the four members of the engineering family, only a member registered with COREN as engineer, can add the title “Engr.” which is an acronym for Engineer, before his name. However, technologists that obtained higher qualifications (PGD and Masters) in engineering can upgrade their registration to the cadre of engineers and thereafter start to use/add the title “Engr.” before their names. Also, where a registered engineer intends to use additional titles, the professional title is to come before other(s). E.g. Engr. Dr. Y. S. Mohammad Engr. Prof. M. U. Garba MNSE Professional Ethics and Conduct for the Engineer Engineering is an important and learned profession. As members of this profession, engineers are expected to exhibit the highest standards of honesty and integrity. Engineering has a direct and vital impact on the quality of life for all people. Accordingly, the services provided by engineers require honesty, impartiality, fairness, and equity, and must be dedicated to the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare. Engineers must perform under a standard of professional behavior that requires adherence to the highest principles of ethical conduct. Engineering Ethics The engineering professional has some authority which has to be exercised carefully to avoid being a source of danger to the public. This includes being a leader in engineering projects, practicing engineering and supervising the work of younger engineering professionals. The basic rules that govern the conduct of engineers (Engineering Ethics) are summarized into: 1. Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public. 2. Perform services only in areas of their competence. 3. Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner. 4. Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees. 5. Avoid deceptive acts. 6. Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession. Safety in Engineering Accident is an unpleasant incident that happens unexpectedly. Or it is an incident that happens by chance. Accident can lead to serious injury which may lead to death. Therefore, any event or incident that will lead to human death should be avoided at all cost. Safety is very important in engineering so as to avoid the occurrence of accident. Types of Accident The following are the different types of accident: Motor Vehicle Accident; Drowning; Fire; Fall; Natural Disasters; Work-Related Accidents, Poison. Causes of Accidents The major causes of accident in engineering practice can be group into two: Unsafe Acts and Unsafe Conditions Unsafe Acts: These are actions of a person in a workshop or factory that may result to an accident. Such acts may be unintentional or in some cases intentional. Example of unsafe act are: smoking in a room where petrol or inflammable substances are stored; and putting sharp tools or instruments inside one’s pocket. Unsafe Conditions: This is a condition which may cause accident. Unsafe conditions range from the physical conditions of the factory to the orderliness of the working equipment. Working with factory equipment is associated with great risk. For example, it is unsafe to work with a grinding machine without the usual protective guard as some of the particles can lodge into users’ eyes. Another example is the accidental flow or discharge of industrial oil or water on the flow of the factory. This could cause slippery conditions which can cause terrible fall that may lead to serious injury. In every engineering practice, materials machines and man (human being) interact to produce goods and services. In order to reduce cost and optimize production, serious attention must be paid to safety of materials, machines and workers. Safety engineering is the reduction, control or elimination of all hazardous conditions which pose a threat to life and property. Sources of hazardous condition in engineering establishment such as factory, construction site, dams etc. include: Fire; Machines; Human Behavior; Electricity; Floor Conditions/Plan Layout; Environmental Conditions; Use of Chemical. Effect of Accidents These can be grouped into three: Human injury; Time loss; Maternal or equipment damages. The most common effect of accidents is human injury. This can vary from simple loss of a finger to extreme case of death. The ultimate effect of this is economic loss as the worker has to be treated at the company’s expense. If the injury is serious, damages are usually claimed by the worker. If the accident does not involve human injury, it may result in the damage of raw materials or machine. These raw materials and machines are expensive and eventually result in loss of revenue for the factory. It can be seen that accident are expensive and should be avoided at all cost. The cost associated with work place accidents (injury and death) fall in the category such as the following: Loss of Work Hour; Medical Expenses; Insurance Premium and Administration; Property Damage; Indirect Cost. Accident that do not lead to injuries or damages do however translate to loss of production time which implies loss of revenue. Example is a carpenter on a house roof whose hammer slips off to the ground.