Engineering Ethics

1. Engineering Ethics A Discussion Workshop

3. Form groups of 4 Engineering Ethics

4. "Professional" Write down what comes to mind when you hear this term Write about one incident where someone did not act professional Engineering Ethics

5. Morals v. Professional Ethics Morality: Set of internally held values Professional Ethics: Set of commonly held values Engineering Ethics

6. Case Study: Robot Project Rules • Rule 9 for the robot is, "Only batteries can be used as sources of electrical energy. Nothing can connect to the 110V power line." • You use a car battery, attach an inverter, and power an Arduino-controlled table radio from the 110V coming out of the inverter. • Is this OK? Engineering Ethics

7. Case Study: Robot Project Rules • Rule 10 for the robot is, "Must be safe for operators and audience." • You robot uses a kitchen knife to chop bananas. • Is this OK? Engineering Ethics

8. Case Study: Robot Project IP • Your robot is a very clever invention. • Can you apply for a patent, or must you assign patent right over to the University of Minnesota because you developed the robot in a UMN course? Engineering Ethics

9. Case Study: Student Code of Conduct “The University may apply the code to off-campus student conduct if the alleged action adversely affects a substantial University interest” A student starts an off-campus engineering business that produces and sells toys. The student uses his UMN affiliation as a marketing draw (“designed by a UMN engineering student!”). The toys are dangerous. The student is sued. Should the University press action under the SCC? Engineering Ethics

10. Case Study: Plant Trip • You interview on campus with Google • You are borderline interested • Google calls and asks that you come to Mountain View, CA for plant interview, all expenses paid • You have a friend in SF and you need practice interviewing • Do you go? Engineering Ethics

11. Engineering Ethics Codes • American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) • National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Engineering Ethics

12. Analysis of Ethical Issues • Determine the facts • Determine the conceptual issues • Resolve based on ethics principles Engineering Ethics

13. Case Study: Your resume • You have completed your MSME program, except for presenting your research thesis. Because you work, you just haven't had the time to schedule the presentation. • You decide to job hunt and update your resume. • Do you list "MSME, University of Minnesota, 2011" ? Engineering Ethics

14. Apply Process to Case Study • Analyze facts • You have finished coursework and research experiments. • You have not defended your thesis • Interpret concepts • You have not completed an MSME by UMN standards. • Apply principles • NSPE II.5.a. “Engineers shall not falsify their qualifications or permit misrepresentation of their or their associates’ qualifications.” • Resolution • Put "MSME expected December 2011" Engineering Ethics

15. THE WORST STRUCTURAL DISASTER IN U.S. HISTORY Kansas City Hyatt Regency 7:05 PM, Friday July 17, 1981 114 dead, 200 injured Source: http://lowery.tamu.edu/ethics Engineering Ethics

16. Source: Levi & Salvadori, “Why Buildings Fall Down”

17. Skyway construction ROOF TRUSS GUEST TOWER FUNCTION BLOCK 4TH FLOOR SKYWAY HANGER ROD 2ND FLOOR SKYWAY BOX BEAM Adapted from: Levi & Salvadori, “Why Buildings Fall Down” Engineering Ethics

18. Source: Levi & Salvadori, “Why Buildings Fall Down”

19. 4th FLOOR 4th FLOOR 2nd FLOOR 2nd FLOOR AS BUILT AS DESIGNED

20. Levi & Salvadori, “Why Buildings Fall Down” Source: http://lowery.tamu.edu/ethics

21. Ethical Issues: Hyatt Regency Case • Who is ultimately responsible for checking the safety of final designs as depicted in shop drawings? • In terms of meeting building codes, what are the responsibilities of the engineer? The fabricator? The owner? • What measures can professional societies take to ensure catastrophes like the Hyatt Regency Walkways Collapse do not occur? Engineering Ethics

22. For testing physical ability Used in hiring and promotion Calibrated by hand Is this good enough? Case Study: Chop Machine Calibrator Engineering Ethics

23. Bottom line: the NYT test • If the story splashed on the front page of the New York Times could you easily defend your actions? Engineering Ethics

24. When to Whistle Blow • Need: Must be clear and important harm • Proximity: Must have first-hand knowledge • Capability: Must have reasonable chance of stopping activity • Last resort: Must try other channels first Engineering Ethics

25. Case Study: Whistle Blow You are an engineer working for a large auto company on a new car. You know that a gas tank outside the frame is less safe in collisions, but you also know an external gas tank is less expensive making the car more economical. It is a trade-off. Against your recommendation, the group manager goes for the external tank. You know it is less safe. Do you go over your manager’s head? Engineering Ethics

26. Should Mn/DOT have known? Should design firm be sued? Should U be sued? I-35W Bridge Source: NTSB Engineering Ethics

27. Resources • http://ethics.tamu.edu/ • http://onlineethics.org/ • http://www.nspe.org/ethics/ • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineering_ethics • NSPE Code of Ethics: http://www.nspe.org/ethics/eh1-code.asp • http://www.asme.org/NewsPublicPolicy/Ethics/Ethics_Center.cfm • Fleddermann, C., Engineering Ethics, Prentice Hall, 1999 • Martin, M. and Schinzinger, R., Ethics in Engineering, 2nd ed., McGraw-Hill, 1983 Resource list is on the ME2011 web site, linked to the ethics lecture Engineering Ethics