Engineering Code of Ethics
Engineering Code of Ethics
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Case Analysis: Engineering Code of Ethics The case is about the construction of Denver International Airport (DIA) as a replacement of the aging Stapleton International Airport and the ethical issues associated with it earlier in the 1990s. Due to the complexity and size of this project, it was logical that this huge project would experience many problems including worker’s safety and health issues, cost overruns and controversies over the need for the project. The most widely problem that faced the project was that of the malfunctioning of the new computer-controlled high-tech baggage handling system. During its preliminary tests, the system mangled and misrouted and frequently jammed causing the shutdown of the entire project. However, the most pathetic of this ethical problem from the perspective of engineering ethics was that which involved the concrete used for the taxiways, runways and aprons at the airport. It was alleged that two subcontractors had filed a lawsuit against the runway paving contractor, a California-based Construction Company called Ball, Ball & Brosamer (also known as 3Bs). These two subcontractors claimed that 3Bs owned them money. Parts of this lawsuit were that 3Bs had altered the recipe of the concrete used in the construction of the runways and aprons deliberately diluting the concrete with more gravel, sand and water which meant that they used less cement. This was not in accordance with the fundamental canon 6 of the engineering code of ethics that establishes that engineers should act in a manner as to uphold and enhance the honor, integrity, and dignity of the engineering profession and shall act with zero tolerance for bribery, corruption and fraud. The code insists that engineers should not knowingly engage in business practices that are fraudulent, dishonest and unethical in nature. 3Bs company motivation was to be able to save money fraudulently and consequently increase
Name:
Institution:
Case Analysis: Engineering Code of Ethics The case is about the construction of Denver International Airport (DIA) as a replacement of the aging Stapleton International Airport and the ethical issues associated with it earlier in the 1990s. Due to the complexity and size of this project, it was logical that this huge project would experience many problems including worker’s safety and health issues, cost overruns and controversies over the need for the project. The most widely problem that faced the project was that of the malfunctioning of the new computer-controlled high-tech baggage handling system. During its preliminary tests, the system mangled and misrouted and frequently jammed causing the shutdown of the entire project. However, the most pathetic of this ethical problem from the perspective of engineering ethics was that which involved the concrete used for the taxiways, runways and aprons at the airport. It was alleged that two subcontractors had filed a lawsuit against the runway paving contractor, a California-based Construction Company called Ball, Ball & Brosamer (also known as 3Bs). These two subcontractors claimed that 3Bs owned them money. Parts of this lawsuit were that 3Bs had altered the recipe of the concrete used in the construction of the runways and aprons deliberately diluting the concrete with more gravel, sand and water which meant that they used less cement. This was not in accordance with the fundamental canon 6 of the engineering code of ethics that establishes that engineers should act in a manner as to uphold and enhance the honor, integrity, and dignity of the engineering profession and shall act with zero tolerance for bribery, corruption and fraud. The code insists that engineers should not knowingly engage in business practices that are fraudulent, dishonest and unethical in nature. 3Bs company motivation was to be able to save money fraudulently and consequently increase