Ethical and Professional Issues in the Field of Engineering and Management Concept - Essay Example

ASSIGNMENT 2 Engineering practice case study STUDENT NAME: REG. NUMBER: COURSE: LECTURER: QUESTION: Identify and discuss the ethical issues and professional responsibility (including technical and communication issues) involved in this case. What courses of action would be appropriate for Laura to follow, starting immediately (i.e. at 3:30 pm Friday afternoon)? EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Ethical and professional issues in the field of engineering and management concept has received a lot of interest globally right from the human social life to environmental sustainability. It has been observed that organizations have adopted some code of ethics for their engineers in order to tap the global market and adopt to the operation legislations. The engineers therefore have an obligation not only to their profession but also to enforce ethical decision at all times. While the organizations are venturing new projects in various areas, the environmental impacts vary from one region to the other. As engineering works expand therefore, there lies a threat to the environment if no stringent measures are put in place to assess and control decisions made during design and construction processes as far as environmental impact is concerned. This paper has identified the ethical issues and professional responsibilities that structural and environmental engineers needs to understand and uphold while undertaking the Risdon Underpass Project. The ethical issues have further been discussed and required course of action given. The paper has been divided in to three parts; the first part identifies and discusses the ethical issues in the Risdon Underpass Project. The second part of this paper has identified the professional responsibilities of both the environmental and structural engineers at the Risdon Underpass Project. The paper has narrowed down to discuss these issues and give the technical issues for the engineers. Finally the paper has outlined the identified course of action, established facts, immediate action to be taken and future actions to ensure environmental sustainability at the Risdon Underpass Project and the Risdon State Environmental Park at large. CONTENTS PAGE Title Page Executive summary Contents page Introduction Ethical issues Professional responsibility Technical issues Courses of action Immediate course of action Future action Conclusions and recommendation References INTRODUCTION The operational decisions that engineers make can actually shape the development process of any project hence fulfilling the social needs. The engineers must first understand well the professional facts of the project they are managing. This is made possible by bringing in t he engineering and managerial skills together. In every organization there is external and internal environment that affects its operations. Therefore every engineer needs to understand each situation in the environment in order to know which action to take and when to do it. This is why Engineering develops a strong and very diverse culture that must be recognized and used appropriately. (Lee, 2009) . According to Samson (1989) engineers just like managers can contribute in organizations by offering managerial skills rather than just giving technical solutions. Stoner, et al (1994) defined management as getting thins done through people and the activities involve four fundamental functions of planning, organising, leading and controlling. ETHICAL ISSUES The Engineering code of ethics requires that all engineers should ensure the general safety of both human beings and the environment. This includes other obligations to customers and employers. Ethics and organizational behavior is very important in every organization. The individual ethics of engineers in crucial in their day to day operations. Every leader must be responsible both in ethical and professional issues. (Samson, 1989). For many centauries, man has been using the natural Resources to advance civilization and development. When examining ecological systems, an engineers is expected to understand how natural process function. Being a sensitive environmental area, especially as a home to a large colony of koalas and the only known location of the yellow throated giant earthworm, Risdon State Environmental Park need s a competent ad high ethical standards to be enforced to avoid detrimental effect to the ecosystem. In fact the cut and cover method was to work well if the underpass could be constructed. Code of Ethics refers to the principles created by a society to guide its members in their daily activities to improve and promote it image among the external members of the community. In this case, code of ethics of engineering society refers the developed standards and minimum code of behavior for the engineering society towards the peers and the general members of its community. These codes of ethics act as a binder between the members of the engineering society and those of the lager community. The code of ethics simply requires member of the engineering society have the duty to act in good faith. In the context of the case in the story of Laura, Laura and Keith form the environmental team of engineers hence have the obligation to ensure that the companies’ actions are friendly to the environment. The code of ethics requires them to act in the best interest of the larger community. He works as an engineer in charge of environmental issues in the company. He assesses and environmental issues of the company‘s doing and provides advise on the next course of action. This should be done guided by the ethical issues of the society of engineers. Being an engineer, Laura is required by code of ethics to act in the best interest of the community, so when confronted by issue we expect his best. To begin with, yellow throat worm is an endangered species according to the case presented. The only known large colony of the worms is in the region in the working field, investigation by Laura shows that the worms are only 1.5m into the ground. According to a conference presentation that Laura attended, they extent to a great depth yet the underway is only 4m below the ground. On the other hand, the koalas according to the statement from the Green World are being disturbed by the underground actions; in fact the president of Green World thinks that the animals might be stressed to death if the drilling of underway is to continue. PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY Engineers have the key professional responsibility not only to comply with the regulations, codes of ethics and standards of conduct but also to ensure integrity and strive to guarantee safety of the public and environment. Laura has been portrayed as an engineer who is qualified since he is a graduate of engineering and therefore is acting within the minimum requirements of code of ethics of the engineering society. Environmental protection is another key factor in the code of ethics. Interest of preserving the habitat of yellow throat worms and koalas in this case falls under protection of the environment. Honesty and integrity is another important factor that that the code of ethics for engineers requires. Laura has been labeled ‘compromised’ when it comes to the issue of koalas. Laura thinks the underground work will not affect the koalas while the president of Green World thinks underground work will stress koalas to death. The project is supposed to last for five years to before it is wound up according to a state minister who has been supporting the project. Only one year down the line, the project is behind schedule for the reason that several actions are behind schedule. Environmental engineer have the obligation according to the code of ethics to protect the interest and welfare of humanity. In this case the interest of the future generation is at stake; the rare species of animals must be preserved. On the other hand redesigning the highway a fresh is costly either to the company or to the state government. Since Laura is expected to protect the interest of his employer too; Laura is in a dilemma between protecting the environment, protecting company economical interest. Content and quality of his choice is a matter of personal responsibility, before he comes up with a decision he should give due weight to all relevant issues at hand and use guiding principles the extent that they can be ascertained. Laura has the obligation therefore to protect the company’s’ interest from this mess since the company is his employer and therefore he must show loyalty. He also has the responsibility of commitment of members in line with the interest of the community mandated by the code of ethics of engineering of the profession. In this context we use the term ‘community’ in its wider sense; it encompasses all groups making up a society, including work place of member. Obligation of member to appropriate welfare, safety and health should all be gathered for. The engineers should apply sound engineering judgments based informed decisions to the most appropriate balance of consideration that is universally applicable. The community in general is responsible to protect the environment in both long and short term concerns. The members should remain focused in protecting the environment at all times. Members' obligations should always want to know what the possible consequences of their actions are and even the actions of the workmates. TECHNICAL ISSUES Risdon State Environmental Park is a very sensitive environmental area since it has large koalas and the yellow throat worms. Since the place is one of the large colonies, Keith thinks that further investigation should be curried out to ascertain the situation and thinks that if the statement is true, the tunnel might need to be redesigned. The new hit another engineer; Frank Cluey with mixed reaction, the engineers looked at this situation from the angle of the extent the project had gone and the cost it had take. The code of ethics of engineering society gives the engineers the privilege to be trusted in their own positions. These members should ensure that they don’t therefore use the positions to their own advantage or in accordance with their personal interests. Green World Environmental report to Laura the work on the underground tunnel caused vibration on the earth surface in the region. He thinks that the vibration would be a source of stress for coals another endangered species. The offer in who reports says that the stress might kill the animals. To worsen the situation, the organization was organizing to protest the following day to the responsible authorities. The is need for immediate action yet the more research was needed and on the contrary time was out for the companies work so the company had to utilize every single second to beat time. Shall work in conformity with accepted engineering and environmental standards and a manner which does not jeopardies the public welfare, health or safety. Members should understand the distinction between working in an area of competence and working competently. Working in an area of competence requires members to operate within their qualifications and experience. Working competently requires sound judgment. If an error of judgment occurs the outcome may be construed as negligence, however, it does not necessarily imply that the member has acted unethically. Should consequent processes, including dispute resolution, reveal unethical behavior the member concerned may subsequently face a further investigation under the Disciplinary Regulations. IDENTIFICATION OF COURSE OF ACTION ESTABLISHED FACTS It true the design work has progressed to a significant level and it is already behind schedule which means more time is require to beat the time and meet the public expectation as stated by the minister. Since the time for action is limited based on the fact that Laura has time between Friday afternoon to Saturday morning, Laura should act immediately without further ado. It is also true that if the work continues, the endangered species of the animals might come to extinct. If immediate action is not called for, the protesters will be in the minister residence the on Saturday morning. This will notably soil the reputation of the company. If the tow statements are true, that is, it the yellow throat worm extent to a greater depth or the koalas will die of stress because of underground works, there is no way the underway shall be constructed. He should call the organization to stop the protest since the company is out to confirm if the statement is true. Laura should also inform the engineer in charge of operations to stop actions immediately. The work should not continue till further direction is given. He should also call back the president of the Green World to inform him that the work has been stopped and that an investigation is being contacted to confirm the validity of his statement. This will give room for father investigations on the behavior of the koalas and the extent in which the yellow throat worms will be affected. At this point he engineers shall weigh socio-economic and environmental factors to justify whether or not the construction process will continue. The should ensure that their actions uses the best and practical economic solutions to meet present needs without compromising future generations to meet their own needs If it is ascertained that the yellow throat worms have occupied the area to extend that further construction action will destroy their habitat of the organism, the company should consider redesigning the underground tunnel a fresh to make sure the organism is not interfered with. However, if the organism’s habitat will not be interfered with, then the company shall investigate the affects of the koalas if they construction continues, if the organism will be affected negatively the construction company shall consider redesigning the tunnel will should be done for the interest of conserving the lives of the organisms. IMMEDIATE COURSE OF ACTION The rules of practice for the engineers requires that all the engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public and if the engineers' judgment is overruled under circumstances that endanger life or property; they shall notify their employer or client and such other authority as may be appropriate. In this case Laura should immediately report to Kentridge Consulting Engineers, and all the stake holders of the dangers involved. Having collected all the above information, further directions is given to design and construction engineers. The engineers will have to act based on the advise provided by the environmental engineers will derive a decision based on correct information derived from factual research. Upon ascertaining the truth, the environmental engineers will have to make a public statement on the action taken and the facts that led to the decision. This is aimed at fulfilling the obligation of informing the public of matters that attracts the interests of the public. For this case, if the underground tunnel will be redesigned and more funds will be needed to meet the budget then the public should be informed on the reasons leading to the same. If the construction is to continue, the public should be informed on the facts leading to the decision. Ted Power, the Minister for Highways in the State Government, strongly supports the project being the reelected representative of the Risdon State, it is not going to be easy for aura at the Kentridge Consulting Engineers especially now that time is a factor. However if Laura gives a clear picture to Keith Inglewood things may be solved to prevent irreversible damage to the environment. FUTURE ACTION After the statement have been issued, the company shall go back to negotiate new deals of the contract with the government. This is especially if the company is to redesign the construction afresh. The cost redesigning shall be negotiated; time limits shall also be deliberated afresh. This should be understood well by the government officials since the action is shall be for the best interest of the people of Australia. Upon the completion of this, where construction is given a go ahead, the company continues with the construction but where the construction is to be redesign then the company shall start acting immediately. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION The field of Engineering is a very important and erudite profession. As the members of this field, engineers are needed to demonstrate the highest standards of operation in terms of honesty, fairness, equity and integrity. The engineering code of ethics requires that every engineer has an ethical and professional responsibility to the stakeholders and the environment. The solutions arrived at should be analyzed by an engineers and ethical implication derived and based in decision making. Whistleblowing is one of the duty of any engineer; here an engineer has the responsibility to unveil to the appropriate authorities any potential risk to the environment especially when the stakeholders fail to follow the engineer’s guidance and advice. In this case therefore it is the professional responsibility of Laura as an environmental engineer to prudently assess the environmental impacts of Risdon Underpass Project, carry out the necessary liaison with Frank Cluey the design team and Bob Markem the design draftsman in order to make sure that crucial environmental factors are considered appropriately, assessed and controlled at the design and construction phase. This will ensure there is environmental sustainability. REFERENCES Samson, D (ed.) 1989, Management for Engineers, Longman Cheshire, Melbourne. Stoner, JA, Yetton, PW, Craig, JF & Johnston, KD 1994, Management, 2nd edn, Prentice- Hall, Sydney, Australia. Lee, C 2009, Test bank to accompany Management 4th Australasian edition, Davidson et al., John Wiley. Read More