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Ethics and the EHS Professional

Ethics and the EHS Professional. September, 2004 W. Richard Gartman, MS, CSP Rgartman@austin.rr.com 512-560-2771. Introduction. If it is legal … If it is good business … If it makes you feel good … If it is morally correct … If you do it in the name of …. You!.

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Ethics and the EHS Professional

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  1. Ethics and the EHS Professional September, 2004 W. Richard Gartman, MS, CSP Rgartman@austin.rr.com 512-560-2771

  2. Introduction • If it is legal … • If it is good business … • If it makes you feel good … • If it is morally correct … • If you do it in the name of ….

  3. You! • Why are you an EHS professional? • Are you ethical? • Do you work for an ethical organization? • Do your feel your ethics are compromised in order to meet your manager’s and/or customer’s expectation?

  4. Merriam-Webster: Ethics • a set of moral principles or values • a theory or system of moral values • a guiding philosophy • the principles of conduct governing an individual or a group • the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation

  5. Ethics Definitions • Nonconsequentialism • Not based on consequences but on other moral (“higher”) standard • Consequentialism • Consequences of actions or rules • Egoism • Concerned with self interest • Virtue • Moral excellence, righteousness, responsibility, exemplary quality considered to be meritorious

  6. Historical Ethical Theories • Nichomachean Ethics • Divine Command • Social Contract • Meta Ethics • Duty Ethics • Utilitarianism • Rule Utilitarianism • Prima Facia Duties • Ethical Egoism • Existentialism & Humanism • Virtue Ethics

  7. Nichomachean Ethics • Aristotle (384-322BC)Greece Ancient Philosopher • Age of Questions • Context: • Internal; Nonconsequential; Virtue Ethics; • The aim of human beings is to reason well for a whole or complete life. Virtue is a mean between 2 extremes: excess or deficiency. Humans should use both their reason and their feelings to decide for themselves.

  8. Divine Command • St. Augustine(354-430)North Africa Medieval Philosopher • Age of Belief: • Context: • External-Objective; Rule Non-consequential • Supernatural being will communicate to human beings commands and prohibitions of how to be moral. Human being’s actions must follow these commands without concerning themselves with self-interest. Disregard the consequences.

  9. Social Contract • Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) England 17th Century Philosopher • Age of Reason • Context: • Internal Act and Rule Consequential; Egoist • We can overcome our natural state (Anarchy) if we give away our rights to a government and give the government absolute authority over us. Compromise of people’s interest is made out of satisfaction rather than altruism.

  10. Meta Ethics • David Hume(1711-1776)Scotland 18th Century Philosopher • Age of Enlightenment • Context • Internal; NonConsequential; Philosophical; Non-Normative; Analytic • Morals based on feelings; Causation is subjective, not objective; Ideas derive from senses. Analyzes language, logic, and rational foundations of ethical systems (not content); Meta Ethics consists of conceptual analysis, naturalism, non-naturalism, and non-cognitive or emotivism.

  11. Duty Ethics • Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) England 18th Century Philosopher • Age of Enlightenment • Context: • External; Rule Non-consequential; Normative;Virtue ethics • Act only according to that maxim by which you can. Good will is the most important human attribute. Reason is the second most important human attribute. The only thing that can give an action moral worth is its being done out of a sense of duty. If one performs an action just because another wants to, it has no moral worth. Founded the Categorical Imperative and the Practical Imperative.

  12. Utilitarianism • Jeremy Bentham (1748-1837) England 19th Century Philosopher • Age of Enlightenment & Age of Ideology • Context: • Normative; Internal; Act and Rule Consequential; • An act is right (moral) if it useful in bringing about a desirable or good end. What is good for largest number of people? Pain causes change.

  13. Rule Utilitarianism • John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) England 19th Century Philosopher • Age of Ideology • Context: • Teleology Prescriptive Internal; Consequential; • Everyone should always establish/follow rules that bring about the greatest amount of good for all.

  14. Prima Facie Duties • Sir William David Ross (1877-1940) England 20th Century Philosopher • Age of Ideology & Age of Analysis • Context: • External Rule Non-consequential; • Moral obligation to follow the rules regardless of consequences; To avoid doing harm is more important than doing good. Considered consequences when making moral choices.

  15. Ethical Egoism (Objectivist Ethics) • Ayn Rand(1905 – 1982) Russia 20th Century Philosopher • Age of Analysis • Context: • Philosophical; Normative; Internal; External/objective Consequential; Rational selfishness; Reason and happiness; Non-altruistic; • Everyone ought to act in his or her own self-interest. Ayn Rand says that self-interests of rational human beings will never conflict.

  16. Existentialism & Humanism • Paul Sartre(1905-1980) France 20th Century Philosopher • Age of Analysis • Context: • Ethical Egoism; Relativism; Freedom; Consequentialist • I do what I want to do. Religion was an excuse for not making decisions. Individual existence includes personal freedom and choice.

  17. Virtue Ethics • Alasdair MacIntyre(1929-Present) Scotland 21st Century Philosopher • Age of Transformation • Context: • Non-Consequential; Virtue Theory; Internal • Based on creating a moral or virtuous human being by not only acting virtuously, but by creating virtuous inclinations (feelings) within oneself. This produces a propensity to follow the rules.

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  19. Board of Certified Safety Professionals Certificants shall: • Hold paramount the safety and health of people and the protection of property and the environment in performance of professional duties and exercise their obligation to advise employers, clients or appropriate authorities of danger to people, property, or the environment. • Perform professional services and assignments only in areas of their competence. • Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner. • Act in professional matters for employers or clients as faithful agents or trustees. • Build their professional reputation on merit of service. • Strive for continuous self-development while participating in their chosen professional safety discipline

  20. American Industrial Hygiene Association CANONS OF ETHICAL CONDUCT Industrial Hygienists shall: 1. Practice their profession following recognized scientific principles with the realization that the lives, health and well-being of people may depend upon their professional judgment and that they are obligated to protect the health and well-being of people. 2. Counsel affected parties factually regarding potential health risks and precautions necessary to avoid adverse health effects. 3. Keep confidential personal and business information obtained during the exercise of industrial hygiene activities, except when required by law or overriding health and safety considerations. 4. Avoid circumstances where a compromise of professional judgment or conflict of interest may arise. 5. Perform services only in the areas of their competence. 6. Act responsibly to uphold the integrity of the profession

  21. National Society of Professional Engineers Fundamental Canons Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall: 1. Hold par a mount the safety, health, and welfare of the public. 2. Perform services only in areas of their competence. 3. Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner. 4. Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees. 5. Avoid deceptive acts. 6. Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and law fully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and useful ness of the profession.

  22. And…. • Safety & health of people • Competence • Public service • Employer / client interest • Confidential • Truthful • Integrity of the profession

  23. Values & Ethics • Values are our fundamental belief or principal • Ethics are behaviors and tells people how we act in ways that meet the standard our values set for us

  24. Scorecard Values is derived from inform is measured by imply is achieved through Strategic Plan Vision Principles guides are built into is derived from implement and reinforce is implemented by Enabling Artifacts is achieved by is facilitated and incented by Mission Organization,Behavior, Policies Operation Plans Cultural Integration Relationship Model Adapter from the Athens Group Model

  25. Situational Ethics • What are the values you use to justify your actions? • Education • Best Professional Judgment • Sarbanes-Oxley Act • What are the values of the community you work and live in? • Family • Laws • Church • Is there a difference? • OK who is right?

  26. Is It Ethical? • Alignment of • Values • Principal • Asking Why … Critical Thinking • Sustainability

  27. Self Evaluation • Reflection: • What are your values • Why do you have these values • When there is conflict, how to you deal with it?

  28. Covey Habits #4 Think Win/Win a frame of mind and heart that constantly seeks mutual benefits in all human interaction #5 Seek First to Understand, then to be understood open the door to creative solutions and alternatives

  29. Summary • Ethics is: • ABOUT YOUR VALUES • ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT YOU LIVE OR WORK IN • ABOUT HOW YOU SEE OTHERS VALUES • WHAT YOU DO WHEN NO ONE IS AROUND

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