Describe 3 of the 6 fundamental canons of the Code of Ethics

Describe 3 of the 6 fundamental canons of the Code of Ethics for Engineers distributed by the National Society of Professional Engineers, and how they would apply to a situation where an engineer knows that a bridge design is unsafe but is asked to go on the nightly news discussing how recent improvements have fixed any deficiencies or previous quality problems

Solution

Fundamental Canons

Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall:

1. Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public.

2. Perform services only in areas of their competence.

3. Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.

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

5. Avoid deceptive acts.

6. Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession.

In such a case of a bridge design being unsafe but if it is asked to go on the nightly news discussing how recent improvements have fixed any deficiencies or previous quality problems, then engineers team should conduct public meeting and discuss such issue with people of the nearby resedential area and inform them about the bridge constructiona and should develop a trust, along with that they should issue public statements in print media and various other sources about the government initiative.

After developing trust, they should conduct tests for surveys and soil analysis such that minimum harm is caused to the environment and the resedential people with best economy possible and maximum safety is ensured. So they have to work for common peopke as faithful agents and trustees and avoid deceptive acts such as not informing common people about the current unsafe bridge design concept which may cause loss of money and consequently trust in engineers developed among people. Such convey of information is useful as many solutions will rise as many agencies may come up to provide an apt solution and some other department may come up to remove any hurdles coming in the way of bridge development. Overall, bridge is to be developed for common mass for future so everyone has to contribute directly or indirectly, so their participation is not negligible. Engineers have to work for development of the common people.