Step 4: Full View

Principle Established:

An engineer's duty to protect public safety, health, and welfare is paramount and can require disclosure to authorities even against a client's wishes, once facts establishing risk are known.

Citation Context:

Used as a foundational case establishing that an engineer's duty to the public is paramount, even when it conflicts with client instructions; the Board reviews its facts and conclusions as the starting point for the present analysis.

Principle Established:

It is basic to the entire concept of a profession that its members devote their interests to the public welfare, as required by the Code's ethics sections.

Citation Context:

Quoted within the discussion of Case 76-4 to reinforce the foundational principle that professional engineers must devote their interests to public welfare as required by the Code.

Principle Established:

Engineers must include all relevant and pertinent facts, including known risks, in reports submitted to public authorities under Code section II.3.a; disclosure is required once information rises to the level of established fact.

Citation Context:

Discussed as a classic disclosure case where an engineer failed to include known material facts (threat to a species) in a written report; later contrasted with Engineer L's situation because Engineer L's initial concern was not yet an established 'fact.'

Principle Established:

Code section III.1.b requires engineers to inform clients when they believe a project will not be successful, including from a safety standpoint; continuing to work despite a client's refusal to fund necessary safety measures violates the engineer's paramount obligation to public welfare under section II.1.a.

Citation Context:

Cited and discussed in detail as a direct parallel case where an engineer notified a client of a safety concern (need for an on-site representative) that the client resisted funding due to cost, and the engineer improperly continued work; the Board applies this precedent to conclude Engineer L cannot ethically continue without proper safeguards.

Principle Established:

Known safety violations confided by a client constitute facts that may require disclosure under the Code.

Citation Context:

Listed as an example of similar facts requiring disclosure (safety violations confided by the client), then contrasted with Engineer L's situation where the risk was not yet a confirmed fact.

Principle Established:

Engineers have a primary responsibility to protect public health, safety and welfare, with particular emphasis on safe drinking water.

Citation Context:

Cited alongside Case 22-5 to establish the Board's recent emphasis on an engineer's primary responsibility to public health, safety and welfare, particularly regarding safe drinking water.

Principle Established:

Engineers have a primary responsibility to protect public health, safety and welfare, with particular emphasis on safe drinking water.

Citation Context:

Cited alongside Case 20-4 to establish the Board's recent emphasis on an engineer's primary responsibility to public health, safety and welfare, particularly regarding safe drinking water.

Principle Established:

Incomplete drawings and specifications constitute facts that may require disclosure under the Code.

Citation Context:

Listed as an example of similar facts requiring disclosure (incomplete drawings and specifications), then contrasted with Engineer L's situation where the risk was not yet a confirmed fact.

Principle Established:

Violations of federal and state laws and regulations constitute facts that may require disclosure under the Code.

Citation Context:

Listed as an example of similar facts requiring disclosure (violation of federal and state laws and regulations), then contrasted with Engineer L's situation where the risk was not yet a confirmed fact.

Principle Established:

A known public safety risk from future surge level rise constitutes a fact that may require disclosure under the Code.

Citation Context:

Listed as an example of similar facts requiring disclosure (public safety risk of future surge level rise), then contrasted with Engineer L's situation where the risk was not yet a confirmed fact.

Principle Established:

Known effects of sea level rise and changing precipitation patterns due to climate change constitute facts that may require disclosure under the Code.

Citation Context:

Listed as an example of similar facts requiring disclosure (effects of sea level rise and changes in precipitation from climate change), then contrasted with Engineer L's situation where the risk was not yet a confirmed fact.