It is unethical for Engineer A to seal plans that have not been prepared by him, or which he has not checked and reviewed in detail.

The facts in this case raise some of the most fundamental questions concerning the manner in which engineering firms engage in the practice of the profession. Probably the best starting point of this inquiry is an examination of the applicable Code provisions. Sections II.2.a., II.2.b., and II.2.c. address many of the issues related to the facts of this case. Section II.2.a. seeks to admonish the engineer to accept work only in those areas of practice in which the engineer possesses the proper qualifications in order to competently perform the tasks to which he is assigned. Section II.2.b. examines the issue of ethical responsibility and states that an engineer must sign and seal documents and assume legal responsibility only for that in which he possesses understanding and cognizance. Finally, Section II.2.c. establishes a hierarchy of responsibility by which engineers may coordinate and assume responsibility for entire projects as long as those individuals under the engineer’s responsible control are identified as having prepared each technical segment of the work. The rationale behind those rules lies in the recognition that while the signature and seal of the engineer has consequences which go beyond the issue of ethics, the conduct of the engineer in the preparation of the plans and drawings involves the professional judgment and discretion of the engineer-judgment and discretion which are shaped by a variety of ethical concerns. For example, in the recent Case 85-3 where an engineer with experience and background solely in the field of chemical engineering accepted a position as a county surveyor, we noted that although the duties of the position included oversight of surveying reports and highway improvement but did not include actual preparation of engineering and surveying documents, nevertheless the engineer was unethical in accepting the position. As the Board noted: "It could be stated that Engineer A’s responsibilities did not include actual preparati...

Engineer A is the Chief Engineer within a large engineering firm, and affixes his seal to some of the plans prepared by registered engineers working under his general direction who do not affix their seals to the plans. At times Engineer A also seals plans prepared by non-registered, graduate engineers working under his general supervision.Because of the size of the organization and the large number of projects being designed at any one time, Engineer A finds it impossible to give a detailed review or check of the design. He believes he is ethically and legally correct in not doing so because of his confidence in the ability of those he has hired and who are working under his general direction and supervision.By general direction and supervision, Engineer A means that he is involved in helping to establish the concept, the design requirements, and review elements of the design or project status as the design progresses. Engineer A is consulted about technical questions and he provides answers and direction in these matters.

Is it ethical for Engineer A to seal plans that have not been prepared by him, or which he has not checked and reviewed in detail?