Case Repository

Questions:

1. Was it ethical for Engineer L to cease work when requested by Client X, without voicing concern about increased risk?
2. Would it be ethical for Engineer L to continue working on Client X’s project when Client X refuses to invest in the protective measures identified...

Conclusions:

1. It was not unethical for Engineer L to cease work when requested by Client X, without voicing concern about unquantified increased risk. Later, Engineer L did comply with Code provisions that require engineers to notify their employers or clients if a project will not be successful.
2. It would not be ethical for Engineer L to continue working on Client X’s project when Client X refuses to invest in the protective measures identified by Engineer L. Continuing to work on the project after concerns about runoff were quantified would in effect mean Engineer L was placing the clients’ financial interest above the engineer’s paramount obligation to the public health, safety, and welfare. This, the engineer cannot ethically do.

Questions:

1. Should Engineer M challenge the validity of Firm DBA’s report?
2. Should Engineer M raise any concerns with the City, as the client, and, if so, how?
3. Are Firm DBA’s actions ethical? Even though Firm DBA is not providing engineering services, are they required to abide by NSPE’s Code of Ethics?

Conclusions:

1. Engineer M should challenge the validity of Firm DBA’s report as Firm DBA did not abide by the Code in a number of instances.
2. Engineer M should first confer with Firm DBA to correct all discrepancies in the report. If no agreement can be made going forward, Engineer M should confer with the City to outline the ethical obligations. Engineer M should also consider any obligations they may have to report to the state licensure board.
3. The actions of Firm DBA are not ethical under the Code as the services provided were under the supervision and ownership of licensed professional engineers.

Questions:

1. Engineer K personally believes the Sustainable Approach is better. Should Engineer K have only presented information about the Sustainable Approach?
2. Does Engineer K have any ethical obligations after the City approves the Traditional Approach?

Conclusions:

1. Engineer K should present both approaches to the City if Engineer K believes both are viable solutions.
2. Because Engineer K has entered into a contract to design the new flood water control system, Engineer K has an ethical obligation to act as a faithful agent or trustee. Engineer K is ethically obligated to fulfill their contractual obligations to the City and continue to design the Traditional Approach as approved by the City.

Questions:

1. Was it ethical for Cutting Edge Engineering and Engineer Jaylani to accept the irrigation system design task?
2. Was it ethical for Engineer Intern Wasser to refuse to perform the task of design development for the proposed irrigation system?
3. If the traditional lawn irrigation system design is an ethical expression of engineering work, what can Engineer Jaylani’s firm do to complete the...

Conclusions:

1. It was ethical for Engineer Jaylani to accept the irrigation system design task.
2. As a matter of personal conviction, it was ethically permissible, but extreme, for Engineer Intern Wasser to refuse the task of design development for the proposed irrigation system. Performing the design task would not have been manifestly unethical, and refusal likely cost Wasser his job.
3. Under the facts, traditional lawn irrigation system design is an ethical expression of engineering work. In awareness of sustainability principles, Engineer Jaylani’s firm is in a position to better serve its clients and the public by introducing and offering “green” irrigation alternatives.

Questions:

What are Engineer A’s obligations?

Conclusions:

If Engineer A reasonably believes that the probability of property damage is high and that the probable amount of property damage is significant, Engineer A has a duty to advise the Owner/Client of the risk.If Engineer A reasonably believes that frozen pipes would cause the sprinkler system to become inoperable, Engineer A could reasonably conclude that there is an imminent risk to the public’s health, safety, and welfare, triggering a duty to report the issue to the Owner/Client.

Questions:

1. Was it ethical for Engineer B to not have included the failed operation of the test equipment in his report?
2. Was it ethical for Engineer B not to communicate with any representatives of Engineer A about the project?
3. Was it ethical for Engineer B not to communicate with the contractor’s supervisor and workers who were on the job during construction?
4. ... and 1 more

Conclusions:

1. It was unethical for Engineer B to issue his report without mentioning the failed operation of the testing equipment.
2. It was unethical for Engineer B to not communicate with any representative of Engineer A about the project.
3. It was unethical for Engineer B to not communicate with the contractor’s supervisor and workers who were on the job during construction.
4. It was unethical for Engineer B to issue his report without mentioning that the 19 piles questioned had, according to the driving records, met refusal.