Responsible Charge and Sealing Drawings

This article addresses the ethical responsibilities of professional engineers regarding responsible charge and the sealing of engineering drawings.
Key topics discussed include:
Definition of "responsible charge" in engineering practice
Ethical obligations when sealing or signing engineering documents
Requirements for proper supervision of engineering work
Professional responsibility for the accuracy and compliance of sealed documents
Guidelines for determining when an engineer can ethically seal documents
Definition of "responsible charge" in engineering practice
Ethical obligations when sealing or signing engineering documents
Requirements for proper supervision of engineering work
Professional responsibility for the accuracy and compliance of sealed documents
Guidelines for determining when an engineer can ethically seal documents
The NSPE Code of Ethics requires that engineers shall:
Perform services only in areas of their competence
Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner
Avoid deceptive acts in the solicitation of professional employment
Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees
Perform services only in areas of their competence
Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner
Avoid deceptive acts in the solicitation of professional employment
Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees
Engineers in responsible charge must maintain direct control and personal supervision over engineering work that bears their seal.