Engineering Codes and Ethics

Engineering ethics is the field of applied ethics and system of moral principles that apply to the practice of engineering. The field examines and sets the obligations by engineers to society, to their clients, and to the profession. As a scholarly discipline, it is closely related to subjects such as the philosophy of science, the philosophy of engineering, and the ethics of technology. Codes of engineering ethics identify a specific precedence with respect to the engineer's consideration for the public, clients, employers, and the profession. Many engineering professional societies have prepared codes of ethics. Some go back to the early decades of the twentieth century. These have been incorporated to a greater or lesser degree into the regulatory laws of several jurisdictions. While these statements of general principles served as a guide, engineers still require sound judgment to interpret of how the code would apply to specific circumstances. The general principals of the codes of ethics are largely similar across the various engineering societies and chartering authorities of the world, which further extend the code and publishes specific guidance. The following is an example from the American Society of Civil Engineers: 1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public and shall strive to comply with the principles of sustainable development in the performance of their professional duties. 2. Engineers shall perform services only in areas of their competence. 3. Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner. 4. Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of interest. 5. Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their services and shall not compete unfairly with others. 6. Engineers shall act in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the honor, integrity, and dignity of the engineering profession and shall act with zero-tolerance for bribery, fraud, and corruption. 7. Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their careers, and shall provide opportunities for the professional development of those engineers under their supervision. Responsibility of engineers The engineer recognizes that the greatest merit is the work, so exercise their profession committed to serving society, attending to the welfare and progress of the majority. By transforming nature for the benefit of mankind, the engineer must increase their awareness of the world is the abode of man and his interest in the universe is a guarantee of overcoming their spirit and knowledge of reality to make it fairer and happier. The engineer should reject papers

that are intended to harm the general interest, in this way avoid situations involving hazards or constitute a threat to the environment, life, health and other rights of human beings. It is an inescapable duty of the engineer to hold the prestige of the profession and ensure its proper discharge; also maintain a professional demeanor rooted in the ability, honesty, fortitude, temperance, magnanimity, modesty, honesty and justice, with the consciousness of individual well-being subordinate to the good social. The engineer must ensure the continuous improvement of their knowledge, particularly of their profession, disseminate their knowledge, share experience, provide opportunities for education and training of workers, provide recognition, moral and material support to the school where he studied, in this way revert to the opportunities the company has received. It is the responsibility of the engineer who carried out their work efficiently and supports the laws. In particular, ensure compliance with the standards of worker protection provided by the law. As professionals, engineers are expected to commit themselves to high standards of conduct (NSPE) [1] 11/27/11 Whistle-blowing A basic ethical dilemma is that an engineer has the duty to report to the appropriate authority a possible risk to others from a client or employer failing to follow the engineer's directions. According to first principles, this duty overrides the duty to a client and/or employer. An engineer may be disciplined, or have their license revoked, even if the failure to report such a danger does not result in the loss of life or health. In many cases, this duty can be discharged by advising the client of the consequences in a forthright matter, and ensuring the client takes the engineer's advice. However, the engineer must ensure that the remedial steps are taken and, if they are not, the situation must be reported to the appropriate authority. In very rare cases, where even a governmental authority may not take appropriate action, the engineer can only discharge the duty by making the situation public. As a result, whistle-blowing by professional engineers is not an unusual event, and courts have often sided with engineers in such cases, overruling duties to employers and confidentiality considerations that otherwise would have prevented the engineer from speaking out. Conduct There are several other ethical issues that engineers may face. Some have to do with technical practice, but many others have to do with broader considerations of business conduct. These include:

Relationships with clients, consultants, competitors, and contractors Ensuring legal compliance by clients, client's contractors, and others Conflict of interest Bribery and kickbacks, which also may include

Gifts, meals, services, and entertainment Treatment of confidential or proprietary information

Consideration of the employers assets Outside employment/activities (Moonlighting)

Some engineering societies are addressing environmental protection as a stand-alone question of ethics. The field of business ethics often overlaps and informs ethical decision making for engineers. On the other hand, Nepal Engineers Association adopted code of ethics for its fellow members in Chaitra 6, 2065. According to NEA Fundamental Principles of Professional Engineering Ethics Upholding and advancing engineering profession Keeping high standards of Ethical conduct

Quality of Engineers to adhere with above principles Engineer 1. Will be honest and fair and serve employer, clients and public 2. Will declare to the advancement of competence of engineering profession and to disseminate engineering knowledge 3. Will use his knowledge and skill in the service of humanity

The code also directs the relationship of Nepalese Engineer with public, employers and fellow engineers: Relation with Public The Engineer 1. Will have proper regard for the health, safety and welfare of public in performing his professional duties. 2. Will endeavor to extend public knowledge and appreciation of engineering and its achievements and oppose any untrue, unsupported or exaggerated statements regarding engineering.

3. Will be dignified and modest in explaining his work and merit and refrain from misrepresentative of self-laudatory advertisement. 4. Will express an opinion on an engineering subject Relation with Employers and Clients The engineer 1. Will act as faithful agent or trustee for employer or client. 2. Will not accept compensation or remuneration from more than one party for same service or service pertaining same work without consent of all interested parties. 3. Will inform his employer or client of his financial interest in any vender or contractor and this should not affect to his services. 4. Will indicate employer the adverse consequences if his judgement is overruled. 5. Will undertake only those engineering assignments for which he is qualified. 6. Will not disclose information concerning business affairs or technical processes. 7. Will not divulge any confidential findings of studies or action of any commission or broad in which he is member. 8. Will not exert under influences or offer solicit or accept compensation for the purpose of affecting negotiations for an engineering engagement.

Relation with Engineers The engineers 1. Will take care that credit for engineers work is given to those directly responsible people. 2. Will provide complete information on working conditions and status of employment. 3. Will uphold the principle of appropriate and adequate compensation for those engaged in engg. works . 4. Will endeavor opportunity for professional development and advancement of fellow engineer under his supervision. 5. Will not attempt to injure falsely or maliciously professional reputation prospects or practice of other engineer.

6. However he has proof that engineer has been unethical illegal or unfair in his practice he should so advice to proper authority. 7. Will not use the advantage of salaried position to compete unfair with other engineer. 8. Should give due regards to all professional aspects of the engagement. 9. Will not attempt to supplant other engineer in a particular engagement. 10. Will not review the work of other engineer for the same client expect with the knowledge of such engineer. 11. Will cooperate in advancing the engineering profession by interchanging information and experiences with other engineers by contributing to public communication media.

Ergonomics
Ergonomics is the study of designing equipment and devices that fit the human body, its movements, and its cognitive abilities. The International Ergonomics Association defines ergonomics as follows: Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance. Ergonomics is employed to fulfill the goals of health and productivity. It is relevant in the design of such things as safe furniture and easy-to-use interfaces to machines and equipment. Proper ergonomic design is necessary to prevent repetitive strain injuries, which can develop over time and can lead to long-term disability. According to the International Ergonomics Association within the discipline of ergonomics there exist domains of specialization:

Physical ergonomics: is concerned with human anatomy and some of the physiological and bio mechanical characteristics as they relate to physical activity. Cognitive ergonomics: is concerned with mental processes, such as perception, memory, reasoning, and motor response, as they affect interactions among humans and other elements of a system. (viz: mental workload, decision-making, skilled performance, human-computer interaction, human reliability, work stress and training as these may relate to human-system and Human-Computer Interaction design.) Organizational ergonomics: is concerned with the optimization of socio technical systems, including their organizational structures, policies, and processes.(viz: communication, crew resource management, work design, design of working times, teamwork, participatory design, community ergonomics, cooperative work, new work programs, virtual organizations, telework, and quality management.)

Human factors engineering continues to be successfully applied in the fields of aerospace, aging, health care, IT, product design, transportation, training, nuclear and virtual environments, among others.

Goal of Ergonomics Close harmony between equipment and people Ergonomic Program Training It is important to train people regarding good ergonomic practices. This class is designed to help you better understand ergonomics and how you can help improve your ergonomic setting. Purchasing equipment (chairs, keyboard trays, etc.) without ergonomic education wont work. It is important to know and understand the risk factors. Understanding the risks can help you to mitigate the risks.

Occupational Risk Factors There are four main risk factors people may experience when dealing with computer work. Even though risk factors may be present, this does not mean you are destined to suffer an injury. You will benefit from being aware of the risk factors and how to minimize the risk as much as possible. Repetition task or series of motions performed over & over. Forceful Exertions - amount of physical effort required to complete task. Awkward Postures - reaching, twisting, bending, holding fixed positions. Contact Stress localized pressure exerted against the skin by external force.

Repetition If you find yourself doing a job task over and over, you should take adequate breaks from the repetitive motion. This means: Get up and move around (move your printer to a location where you have to get up.) During a break - roll your wrist and hands, this will help if youve been typing for a long time. Try to vary your tasks as much as possible so you arent in a position where you have to keep doing repetitive motions.

Forceful Exertion To minimize forceful exertion - do not type with much force, use as light a touch as possible.

With everything we pick up, or push against, we should try and do it with as little force as possible. Awkward Posture The location of the telephone may cause you to have an awkward posture that you may not be aware of Make sure your telephone is within easy reach. Make sure you do not have to twist (awkward posture) at the waist to reach the phone. Contact Stress There are a couple of places you may feel contact stress: If you are resting your wrist on a sharp edge you are creating a contact stress. To fix - do not rest your wrists on anything that will leave an indent mark on your skin. If the chair you are sitting in has a seat pan that pushes against the back of your knees you are experiencing a contact stress. You may need to get a chair with a sliding seat pan to give you enough room between the edge of the seat and the back of your knees.

Arranging Workspace
Arrange tools around your desk so you minimize the distance you have to reach for them. Divide your work space into three zones: Primary work zone - the distance from elbow to hand. Things you touch on a daily basis. Secondary work zone - Within arms reach. Use this zone to position those items that you use frequently, but don't need all the time. Reference zone - Outside arms reach. Use this zone for your least-often used items.

Ergonomics can be helpful in the following ways:

EMPLOYEE:

Fewer injuries Improved Health & Safety Reduce absenteeism Lower worker turnover Fatigue Quality of life

EMPLOYER:

Increase in work quality Morale improves Increase productivity & efficiency Lowered workers compensation rates Less likelihood of OSHA fines