CASE STUDY CHOSEN STATEMENT
OF ETHICS
(Public Safety and Public Welfare)
A supervisor instructs a student
engineer to withhold information
from a client about the suspected
nature of waste on the client's
property to protect what the
supervisor takes to be the client's
interest.
Alex is an engineering student
employed for the summer by
Environmental Engineering, a
consulting firm. RJ, the engineer who
supervises Alex, directs Alex to
sample the contents of drums
located on the property of a client.
From the look and smell of the
drums, Alex believes that analysis of
the sample will show hazardous
waste in the drums. Alex knows that
if the material contains hazardous
waste, there are legal requirements
for the transport and disposal of the
drums, and that federal and state
authorities must be notified.
Alex informs RJ of the likely contents
of the samples and asks what to do
next. RJ instructs him to report only
that samples have been taken, and
not to do the analysis. Since the
client is a major one for
Environmental Engineering, RJ
proposes to report to the client only
where the drums are located and
that they contain questionable
RELATION TO CODE
R.A.8495
“A supervisor instructs a student
engineer to withhold information
from a client about the suspected
nature of waste on the client's
property to protect what the
supervisor takes to be the client's
interest.”
“Many states have laws requiring
environmental engineers to report
any evidence of a "release" of
hazardous materials. (Any presence
of hazardous material in other than
its intended placement for use and
storage counts as "release".)”
RELATION TO
Rule 2. The mechanical engineer shall
maintain the proper pride for his
profession, observe the standards of
professional practice, safeguard the
dignity, welfare, and reputation of his
colleagues in the professions, and
fulfill his duties and obligations as a
citizen of the Republic of the
Philippines.
Rule 15. The mechanical engineer
shall observe punctuality in his
appointments, perform honestly and
in good faith his contractual
obligation and his duties and
obligations to his client or employer,
and observe fair dealing in his
relations with his clients and
employers.
Rule 16. He shall treat with
confidentiality any information
obtained by him as to the business
affairs and technical methods or
processes of a client or employer.
Rule 10. Whenever he designs a
mechanical equipment, machinery or
process, or prepares the layout of a
project, he must apply an adequate
factor of safety, and provide for the
necessary leeway for proper
operating and maintenance
conditions.
material, and to suggest that they be
removed.
Note that it is much more expensive
to dispose of hazardous waste than
conventional waste Many states have
laws requiring environmental
engineers to report any evidence of a
"release" of hazardous materials.
(Any presence of hazardous material
in other than its intended placement
for use and storage counts as
"release".)
“RJ proposes to report to the client
only where the drums are located
and that they contain questionable
material, and to suggest that they be
removed.” Knowing that those are
hazardous and might be removed
without proper procedure and might
cause harm to others.
Rule 11. When he discovers faulty or
unsafe devices, equipment, or
machinery in any place, work or
plant, he shall without delay, give
notice thereof to the proper
authority, public or private, for the
immediate and effective correction,
regardless of whether or not he
is responsible for said place, work or
plant.
Rule 29. He shall not expect others to
face danger that he himself will not
face. He shall observe at all times
safety requirements for the
protection of all concerned.