TPD 101: Engineers-in-Society: Code of Conduct - PDF

TPD 101: ENGINEERS-IN-SOCIETY BY BAKARE OLADIMEJI (R. ENGR) OUTLINE ▪ Engineers Code of Conduct and Ethics ▪ Engineering Literacy Engineers Code of Conduct The Engineering profession has a set of laws, rules and regulations governing all activities of its practitioners to e...

TPD 101: ENGINEERS-IN-SOCIETY BY BAKARE OLADIMEJI (R. ENGR) OUTLINE ▪ Engineers Code of Conduct and Ethics ▪ Engineering Literacy Engineers Code of Conduct The Engineering profession has a set of laws, rules and regulations governing all activities of its practitioners to ensure discipline and uniformity. These laws, rules and regulations are further translated to Code of Conduct and Ethics for all Engineers. In Nigeria, the regulatory body that ensures that engineers follows the code of conduct and ethics of the profession is COREN  COREN is short for: The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria While COREN is a government regulatory body overseeing engineering practice in Nigeria, the professional body that supports engineers is the NSE (Nigerian Society of Engineers). The Ethics of the Engineering profession is based on the broad principles of trustworthiness, truthfulness, respect of human life and welfare, competence and accountability.  The engineering profession has a direct impact on the quality of life of the people, so all engineers should always be aware of their main responsibilities in the discharge of their duties. All Engineers is expected to demonstrate respect and care for humanity’s cultural, historical and archaeological heritage while ensuring that no direct harm is done to the health and wellbeing of present and future generations. They are also expected to exhibit full regard for the sustainable management of natural and environmental resources. The code of conduct of Engineers in Nigeria as carefully compiled by COREN in line with world best practices particularly the world Federation of Engineering Organisations (WFEO) model are divide into 6 sections: 1.) Obligations of an Engineer to the Profession This will include areas under; Knowledge and Competence i.) Engineers shall only undertake works or tasks they are competent to do. They shall offer services or undertake engineering assignments only in their areas of expertise as enabled by their academic training. ii.) In the event of an assignment outside their fields of competence, engineers shall inform all stakeholder and seek advice from a more suitably trained and experienced Engineering professional. iii.) It is the duty of an Engineer to ensure that their knowledge and competence level remain up to date, hence they should endeavour to stay abreast of developments and knowledge advancements within their specific fields. iv.) Engineers shall seek to advance the body of knowledge in their specific areas of practice. They shall also provide such opportunities for the professional development of their subordinates. Professional Accountability i.) Engineers shall at all times apply due care and diligence in their areas of practice. They must constantly demonstrate willingness to take responsibility for their actions and professional decisions. ii.) Engineers shall not knowingly take part in any competition involving the submission of proposals and designs for engineering work, unless an assessor who shall be an Engineer of verified reputation has been appointed to whom all designs and proposals are to be submitted for adjudication. iii.) An Engineer shall satisfy himself to the best of his ability that enterprises with which he becomes identified, are of legitimate character. In the case of discovering otherwise, he/she should sever connection with such enterprises immediately. iv.) An Engineer shall be answerable to questions arising from the conduct of the engineering team which he/she superintends. v.) In a situation where the safety of the public which an Engineer has sworn to uphold, is being threatened or compromised as a result of an engineering decision, the engineer shall advise all concerned stakeholders and seek professional advice as soon as possible to remedy the situation. vi.) It shall be the duty of every Engineer to bring to the attention of COREN any violation of this Code of Conduct and endeavour to encourage other Engineers to adhere to its provisions. vii.) Violations of the above or failure to report is an offence under the law and upon conviction, be liable to a fine of not exceeding 100,000 or to two years imprisonment. 2.) Obligations of Engineers to Other Engineers i.) Engineers shall not attempt to inquire, maliciously or falsely, the professional reputation or prospects of another engineer. In the event of perceived unethical practices, such cases shall be reported to COREN. ii.) An Engineer shall not attempt to obtain employment, advancement or professional engagements, including taking over the work of another Engineer by untruthfully criticizing other Engineers. iii.) An Engineer shall not review or take over the work of another engineer, acting as a consulting Engineer for the same client, until he has either obtained the consent of such professional colleague or has been notified in writing by client that connection of such an engiuneer has been terminated.  iv.) An Engineer shall not accept engagement while the just claim for compensation or damages, or both, of another Engineer previously employed on the same project and whose engagement has been terminated, remains unsatisfied. v.) An Engineer shall not take undue advantage of his salaried position to compete with other engineers either for public contracts or jobs of like manner. vi.) Any engineer who violates the rule above shall be guilty of using his position to gratify himself and shall be liable to five (5) years imprisonment without the option of fine.  vii.) Engineers shall at all times recognise the propriety interests of others. Any work, ideas, designs, inventions or writing shall be duly credited to the real authors. viii.) If an Engineer agrees to use designs provided by a client, he/she must recognise and accept that such designs remains the property of client and may not be duplicated for other purposes without first obtaining a formal permission from the author to that effect. ix.) In reviewing or evidencing the works of other, an engineer shall ensures the avoidance of actions or statement likely to be construed as unfair, critical or an act of victimization of another. 3.) Obligations of Engineers to the Public i.) In the course of discharge of his duty, Engineers shall hold in full consideration all matters of public and environmental interest. ii.) Engineers shall avoid all actions or speeches deemd capable of deceiving or misleading the public, which in itself may directly or indirectly influence their decisions. iii.) Engineers shall at all times, ensure that all engineering works under their adjudication conform to all acceptable laws and regulations on public health and safety.  iv.) An Engineer shall carry out the necessary engineering judgements and risk assessments necessary to rule out every foreseeable risk or preventable danger to the public, and where necessary, report or communicate these appropriately. 4.) Obligations of an Engineer as an Employer i.) It shall be duty of an Engineer as an employer, to ensure that no person in his employment other than an Engineer holds any post, discharges or purports to discharge ant function that is properly that of an Engineer. ii.) An Engineer employing the services of any person working or training to become an Engineer, shall ensure favourable conditions to earn the required experience. 5.) Obligations of an Engineer to his Client or Employer i.) An engineer shall not be a Director or salaried employee of any company, firm or person carrying on any commercial or manufacturing business which is, or may be involved in the class of work to which his appointment relates without disclosing the fact to his client in writing. ii.) Any Engineer employed in the public service and is at the same time a shareholder or Director of a private company shall be deemed to have violated a section of the ICPC related offences Act 2000 and if guilty is liable to 7 years imprisonment. iii.) An engineer shall at all time strive to protect the confidential information of business affairs, facts, data etc. of his/her clients and employer.  iv.) An Engineer shall not place Orders on his behalf, in respect of a project on which he is engaged but shall do so explicitly on behalf of his client. v.) An Engineer shall discharge his duties rto his clients or employers with utmost truthfulness. W2here needed be, he shall present clearly, and in the most professional manner, the possible societal or environmental consequences of any engineering decision and judgements. vi.) An Engineer shall not be the medium of payment mode on his clients behalf, unless specially so requested in writing by his client, but shall only issue certificates for payment.  vii.) Any Engineer who violates the rule above, shall be said to have contravened the provision fo section 8 of ICPC and other related offences Act 2000 and is guilty of an offence of official corruption and is liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for seven (7) years. 6.) Obligations of an Engineer Regarding Contracts i.) an Engineer shall ensure that every provision which he considers necessary to protect the interest of owner, Engineer, Contractor or the Public, is incorporated in the contract. ii.) In bidding for contracts, an Engineer shall demonstrate professional integrity by avoiding compromise such as paying, offering or receiving either directly or indirectly any form of inducement to secure jobs.  iii.) An Engineer shall ensure that fairness and honour govern the use of every bid over4 which he is to adjudicate. iv) An engineer shall not reduce or inflate the cost of or the estimates from prospective bidders on a tentative project. The engineers code of conduct is not a stagnant document. Rather it is compilation meant to preserve the high ethical standards of the Engineering Profession.