Application of Codes of Ethics Flashcards

A professional engineer is asked to provide an expert opinion on a matter outside their area of expertise. Ethical conduct requires that the engineer:

Answer: Decline or refer the matter to a qualified specialist and disclose the limitation

Engineers must only practice within their areas of competence and must refer work outside their expertise to appropriately qualified professionals.

An engineer suspects that another engineer's design is unsafe but lacks absolute certainty. Ethical codes of conduct require the engineer to:

Answer: Raise the concern through appropriate professional channels even under uncertainty

When an engineer has reasonable grounds for concern about public safety, they are obligated to raise the issue through appropriate channels even without absolute certainty of risk.

An engineer who also owns shares in a materials supplier recommends that supplier to a client without disclosure. This violates which core ethical principle?

Answer: Duty to act without conflict of interest and with full disclosure

Engineers must disclose any financial interest that could reasonably be seen as influencing their professional recommendations, as undisclosed conflicts undermine client trust.

Which of the following actions is consistent with an engineer's duty to the profession under a code of ethics?

Answer: Mentoring junior colleagues and contributing to the advancement of the profession

Engineers have an affirmative duty to support the profession, which includes mentoring junior practitioners and participating in professional development activities.

An engineer signs a contract with a client that includes a clause waiving the client's right to sue for negligence. From an ethical standpoint, this clause is:

Answer: Problematic because it may incentivize the engineer to be less diligent

Liability waivers for negligence are ethically problematic because they can reduce the engineer's incentive to maintain the standard of care expected by the profession.

A client instructs an engineer to use a material that the engineer believes does not meet the required safety standard for the application. The engineer should:

Answer: Refuse to specify the non-compliant material and document the client's instruction and the engineer's objection

Engineers must refuse to specify materials that do not meet safety standards; client instructions do not override the engineer's professional responsibility for public safety.

Under engineering codes of ethics, which statement best describes the relationship between an engineer's duty to the employer and duty to the public?

Answer: Duty to the public is paramount and supersedes employer instructions when safety is at risk

Engineering codes of ethics universally place the duty to protect public health, safety, and welfare above obligations to employers or clients.