The Chamber of Engineering Technology

 CODE OF ETHICS FOR

ENGINEERING PRACTITIONERS

Preamble

 Engineering is an important and learned profession that requires a high standard of scientific education, together with specialised training, development and experience. Engineering Practitioners are expected to show the highest standards of honesty, integrity, impartiality and fairness towards all persons connected with their work. They must also be dedicated to the protection of public health, safety and well being. Engineering Practitioners must perform to a standard of behaviour that requires utmost adherence to the highest principles of ethical conduct. Ethics are generally understood as the discipline or field of study dealing with moral duty or obligation.  This typically gives rise to a set of governing principles or values that in turn are used to judge the appropriateness of particular conduct or behaviour.

 

Applicability

 It is the duty of each and every Registered Engineering Practitioner to comply with the Schedule of Rules of Conduct made by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), in terms of Section 21(1)(g) of Act No. 114 of 1990, plus the provisions of this Code of Conduct.

 

The Code addresses several areas in the working life of practitioners, including;

 

a)       Relations with colleagues, clients, employers and society in general

b)       Environmental and social obligations

c)       Maintenance and development of professional conduct and standards

d)       Enforcement procedures and disciplinary action.

 

Code of Ethics

 It is essential that members of the Chamber of Engineering Technology (CET) comply with ECSA’s Rules along with the following Code of Ethics to ensure that they:

 

1.                    Seek to enhance and promote the standard of the profession and its practitioners

 

2.                    Act as faithful agents or trustees for each employer or client

 

3.                    At all times avoid deceptive acts and conduct or practice that deceives the public

 

4.                    Take reasonable steps where relevant to inform themselves, their clients and employers of the social, environmental, economic and other possible consequences which may arise from their actions

 

5.                    Not disclose, without consent, confidential information concerning the business affairs or technical processes of any present or former client or employer or public body on which they serve

 

6.                    Express opinions, make statements or give evidence with fairness and honesty and only on the basis of adequate knowledge

 

7.                    Accept personal responsibility for their professional activities, provided however that members may seek indemnification for services arising out of their practice for other than gross negligence, where the practitioners interests cannot otherwise be protected

8.                    Continue to develop relevant knowledge, skill and expertise throughout their careers and actively assist and encourage those with whom they are associated to do likewise

 

9.                    Be aware of and ensure that clients and employers are made aware of societal and environmental consequences of actions or projects and endeavour to interpret engineering issues to the public in an objective and truthful manner

 

10.                 Must clearly present to clients and employers the possible consequences if engineering decisions or judgements are overruled or disregarded

 

11.                 When serving as expert witnesses, express an engineering opinion only when it is founded upon adequate knowledge of all facts, based on a background of technical competence and honest conviction

 

12.                 Not accept compensation from more than one party for services on the same project, or for services pertaining to the same project, unless the circumstances are fully disclosed to and agreed to by all interested parties.

 

13.                 Not use confidential information coming to them in the course of their assignments as a means of making personal profit.

 

14.                 Not solicit any engineering contract from a government body or other entity on which a member, officer or employee of their organisation serves as a member, without disclosing their relationship and removing themselves from any activity of the body which concerns their organisation

 

15.                 Admit their own errors when proven wrong and refrain from distorting or altering the facts to justify mistakes or decisions

 

16.                 Recognise that lives, safety, health and well being of the general public are dependent upon engineering judgements, decisions and practices incorporated into structures machines, products, processes and devices

 

17.                 Before undertaking work for others in connection with which the practitioner may make improvements, plans, designs, inventions or other records that may justify copyright or patents, should enter into an agreement regarding ownership

 

18.                 Avoid using any association with non engineers, corporations or partnerships to disguise unethical acts

 

19.                 Issue no anonymous statements, criticisms or arguments on engineering matters that are inspired or paid for by an interested party, or parties. Any comments made must clearly identify the originator, disclosing the identities of the party/parties on whose behalf they are made and reveal the existence of any financial interest they may have in matters under discussion.

 

20.                 Promote the engineering profession through personal leadership and example and endeavour to advance its standing in society

 

21.                 Use any appropriate opportunity to outline and explain the contribution of the engineering profession in enhancing society’s well being and respond positively to unfair criticism or comment about the profession

  

Patterns of Behaviour

 

CET requires from all its members that when developing any professional activity they always:

 

i)                     Try to the best of their ability, courage, enthusiasm and dedication to obtain a superior technical achievement

 

ii)                   Strive to accomplish the beneficial objects of work with the lowest consumption of raw materials and energy and the minimum production of wastes and pollution

 

iii)                  Discuss in particular the consequences of proposals and actions, direct or indirect, short or long term, upon the health of people, social equity and any accepted local system of values

 

iv)                 Make a thorough study of the environment that will be affected, assess all the impacts that might arise and select the best option for an environmentally sound and sustainable development

 

v)                   Promote a clear understanding of the actions required to restore and possibly improve the environment that may be disturbed and include these in project proposals

 

vi)                 Reject any kind of commitment that involves unfair damage for human surroundings and nature and negotiate the best possible social and political solution

 

vii)                Always keep in mind that the principles of eco-systemic interdependence, diversity maintenance, resource recovery and inter-relational harmony form the basis of our continued existence and that each of these bases set a threshold of sustainability that should not be compromised.

 

viii)              Remember that war, greed, misery and ignorance, plus natural disasters, human induced pollution and destruction of resources are the main causes of the progressive impairment of the environment. Active members of the engineering profession, deeply involved in the promotion of development, must use their talent, knowledge and imagination to assist CET in removing these evils and improving the quality of life for all people.

Conclusion

 

Practitioners accepting membership of CET agree by this action to comply with the ECSA Rules of Conduct for the Engineering Profession, 1997 and this Code of Conduct.