Application of Codes of Ethics Flashcards

An engineer discovers that a previously certified product has a defect that could cause harm, but the discovery occurs after the client has already deployed the product. What is the engineer's ethical obligation?

Answer: Notify the client and, if necessary, relevant authorities about the defect

When an engineer discovers a post-certification defect with potential for harm, the duty to protect the public requires notifying the client promptly and, if the client does not act, potentially notifying relevant authorities.

Which statement best describes 'ethical relativism' and why Canadian engineering codes of ethics reject it?

Answer: There are no universal ethical standards — rejected because engineering codes establish minimum universal professional standards

Ethical relativism holds there are no universal ethical standards. Canadian engineering codes reject this by establishing minimum professional standards that apply regardless of client preferences, employer instructions, or cultural context.

An engineer is offered a gift valued at $500 by a contractor whose tender the engineer will evaluate next week. What is the most appropriate response?

Answer: Decline the gift and report the offer to the engineer's supervisor or client

Accepting a gift from a party whose bid the engineer will evaluate creates or appears to create a conflict of interest. The appropriate response is to decline the gift and report the offer to maintain impartiality.

A P.Eng. advertises their services claiming they are 'Canada's top structural engineer.' This claim is unverified and not based on objective criteria. Which ethical principle does this violate?

Answer: Duty to be honest and not make misleading claims

Making unverifiable superlative claims in advertising violates the duty of honesty and the prohibition on misleading representations about professional qualifications and capabilities.

What does 'whistleblowing protection' mean for professional engineers in Canada, and under which circumstance is it most relevant?

Answer: Statutory or regulatory protection from employer retaliation when reporting a genuine safety concern in good faith

Whistleblowing protection shields engineers who report genuine safety or ethical concerns in good faith from employer retaliation such as dismissal or demotion. Several provinces have such protections under occupational health and safety or engineering legislation.

Which of the following actions by a professional engineer would most likely constitute professional misconduct under provincial engineering acts?

Answer: Stamping drawings without adequate review or supervision

Stamping drawings without adequate review or supervision ('seal for hire') is a serious form of professional misconduct that endangers the public and undermines the integrity of the professional certification system.