CASE STUDY 2

Case facts:

1- Im working for a private laboratory.
2- We signed a 6 year contract with the DOE to do risk assessment of nuclear waste
disposal site.
3- After 6 years the study was not completed.
4- The DOE threatens our laboratory to find another company to do the study, as he
thinks that the laboratory what to extend the time to get more money.
5- There are citizens who live nearby the nuclear site.
6- My supervisor expresses concern about the current situation.

Questions:

1- How essential is this extra time that we need to finish the study? Will we risk
people's life if we submitted the study on time?
2- Is the calculations that are made are of unnecessary high standards? How much
harm will it cause the public if simpler calculations were used?
3- Is the DOE concerned about the public safety?
4- Is it ethical to lower our standards to finish the study on time?
5- Is it ethical not to respect the contract that we have signed?
6- Should the public be notified about the risks? Will canceling the study affect them?


References:

1- Code #9: to avoid injuring others, their property, reputation, or employment by false
or malicious action.
2- Code #1: to accept responsibility in making decisions consistent with the safety,
health and welfare of the public, and to disclose promptly factors that might
endanger the public or the environment.
3- Code #3: to be honest and realistic in stating claims or estimates based on available
data.

Discussion:

As the team leader of this project I think we didnt study the dimensions of the project
thoroughly, because otherwise we would have asked for more than six years to finish our
calculations and assess the risks involved with the project. But since we agreed on the six
years period we should have managed our time to finish promptly. Since we didnt how
hard will it is for us to finish the study using simpler calculations without jeopardizing the
safety of the public or ignoring important aspects of the study. And if the laboratory
submitted on time is there anything that can be done to compensate the undone
calculations?
Also does the DOE have to cancel the contract with the laboratory and waste the efforts of
six years? Cant the DOE offer better punishment for not committing to the contract,
something like a fine?

Conclusion:

As a team leader and an engineer I should stick to the code of ethics specially code #9,
which clearly states to avoid injuring others by any means. So, I shall give the DOE my best
argument for the unintentional delay and our need for this extra time to have the most
accurate assessment for the risks. If he decides to complete the project with another
company without making the necessary calculations we need to blew the whistle and warn
the public of the potential risks.