REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

University of Southeastern Philippines

Bislig Campus

Lesson 2 Civil Engineering Code of Ethics

Objectives:
Provide guidelines in the practice of civil engineering profession.
Discuss the importance of the civil engineers’ code of ethics.

Introduction:
The engineers who are represented as professionals, and who belong to a professional society
need to have some moral responsibilities. A code of conduct is important for engineers to remain
committed to their world.
The necessity of laws and regulations and the limitations they have in engineering practice can
be understood with an overview of the laws in the engineering profession. To live in harmony in the
society, one should learn to maintain a balance between individual needs and collective needs of the
society.

Activity:
Word search!

Search for ten words that explains the role of the code of ethics.

P G N T L R S C T M R Q A S O E N Y C B F
K D I N S P I R A T I O N V E Y N H I A S
T I O V D G L W Z Y N O C R Y S J M V L E
P S T U U O V S T R N A O P B H A H I E R
R H U E T B I S K R G J D H U A D B L F V
O P L G U I D A N C E O D G I R E G E I E
T F I O F S E T U K P I L P L E T D N G C
E W U I D E T E R R E N C E O D R U G T T
C N I M I W T E D U O J S A O S T U I D K
T O G D S I S W N O V L G S Y T V J N O C
I U S L C B C I R D I O R O H A R O E B L
M F U A I B A H J O M B M Y R N L J E G O
A Y P A P Z H W S X A D C R F D T G R B Y
T H P U L M K I K L G P A Z Q A S X E D S
E C O F I T R B Y H E U J M I R O L P F A
Q A R W N X N D C R F V T G B D H N U J V
M I T O E P O A W M E A S U R S X E D C E
R F V T G B Y H N U J M I K O L P W D S C
D E V I S E W S E D C R F V T G B Y H N U
J M U T U A L U N D E R S T A N D I N G E

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 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
University of Southeastern Philippines
Bislig Campus
Analysis:

 From the words found, explain the advantages of the code of ethics?

Abstraction:
The necessity of laws and regulations and the
limitations they have in engineering practice can be
understood with an overview of the laws in the Engineering
profession. To live in harmony in the society, one should
learn to maintain a balance between individual needs and
collective needs of the society.
The codes of ethics play at least eight important roles
such as the following −
 Serving and protecting the public − Engineers are in a responsible position where trust and
trustworthiness, both are essential. A code of ethics functions as a commitment by the
profession as a whole that engineers will serve the public health, safety and welfare.
 Guidance − Codes are written in brief yet prove effective in offering general guidance to the
engineers. More specific directions may be given in supplementary statements or guidelines,
which tell how to apply the code. If needed, the assistance is obtained for further specification.
 Inspiration − Codes of ethics, which specify a collective commitment towards a profession, help
in motivating the engineers towards ethical conduct. Actually, these codes make one feel really
responsible and proud to be a professional thus motivating towards the commitment one should
have towards one’s profession.
 Shared Standards − The standards established should be applicable to all individuals, in their
particular professions. With the codes of ethics, the public is assured of engineers with minimum
standard of excellence and the professionals are provided a fair way to compete.
 Support for Responsible Professionals − The professionals who act ethically have more positive
support through these codes. A professional engineer who has the intention to stand by the
codes of ethics, can have no harm from immoral professional obligations, as he can reject
smoothly yet formally. As well, these codes can provide legal support for engineers criticized
for living up to work-related professional obligations.
 Education and Mutual understanding − The codes which are widely circulated and officially
approved by professional societies, promote a shared understanding among professionals, the
public and government organizations about the moral responsibilities of engineers. These codes
prompt discussion and reflection on moral issues.
 Deterrence and Discipline − The professionals who fail to follow the codes exhibit unethical
conduct, which is evident from the disobedience towards their profession. Such an investigation
generally requires paralegal proceedings designed to get at the truth about a given charge
without violating the personal rights of those being investigated. This might lead to expulsion of
those whose professional conduct has been proven unethical, which also leads to loss of
respect from colleagues and the local community.

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 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
University of Southeastern Philippines
Bislig Campus

 Contributing to the Profession’s Image − Codes project the engineers as the professionals of
ethically committed profession, which inspires them to work with great commitment and more
effectively to serve the public. It can also win greater powers of self-regulation for the profession
itself, while lessening the demand for more government regulation.

Engineers are responsible for creating and maintaining the technology and infrastructure which
makes everybody's everyday life possible. Engineers simplify and make life better for those they serve.
For this reason, in the work that engineers do on a daily basis, an enormous amount of confidence and
trust is needed. The successes and errors have a huge impact on society as a whole and because
society has placed their trust in engineers, it is expected that exceptional standards implies zero errors
to guarantee the safety of the general public. In order to help ensure that engineers fulfill this obligation
to society, the Codes of Ethics are set up with the aim of placing public safety at the top of the agenda
and creating fair and equal standards that all engineers are expected to comply with.

The Civil Engineering Code of Ethics

Fundamental Principles

Civil engineers uphold and advance the integrity, honor and dignity of the civil engineering profession by:
1. Using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of human welfare and the environment;
2. Being honest and impartial and serving with fidelity the public, their employers/employees and
clients;
3. Striving to increase the competence and prestige of the civil engineering profession; and
4. Supporting the professional and technical societies of their disciplines.

Fundamental Canons

1. Civil engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public and shall strive
to comply with the principles of sustainable development in the performance of their duties.
2. Civil engineers shall perform service only in areas of their competence.
3. Civil Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
4. Civil engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents or
trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of interest.
5. Civil Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their services and shall
not compete unfairly with others.
6. Civil engineers shall act in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the honor, integrity, and
dignity of the civil engineering profession.
7. Civil engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their careers, and shall
provide opportunities for the professional development of those civil engineers under their
supervision.

Guidelines to Practice Under the Fundamental Canons of Ethics

CANON 1 Civil Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public and shall
strive to comply with the principles of sustainable development in the performance of their
professional duties.

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 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
University of Southeastern Philippines
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a. Civil Engineers shall recognize that the lives, safety, health and welfare of the general public are
dependent upon engineering judgments, decisions, and practices incorporated into structures,
machines, products, processes and devices.
b. Civil Engineers shall approve or seal only those design documents, reviewed or prepared by them,
which are determined to be safe for public health and welfare in conformity with accepted
engineering standards.
c. Civil Engineers whose professional judgment is overruled under circumstances where the safety,
health and welfare of the public are endangered, or the principles of sustainable development
ignored, shall inform their clients or employers of the possible consequences.
d. Civil Engineers who have knowledge or reason to believe that another person or firm may be in
violation of any of the provisions of Canon 1 shall present such information to the proper authority
in writing and shall cooperate with the proper authority in furnishing such further information or
assistance as may be required.
e. Civil Engineers should seek opportunities to be of constructive service in civic affairs and work for
the advancement of the safety, health and well-being of their communities, and the protection of
the environment through the practice of sustainable development.
f. Civil Engineers should be committed to improving the environment by adherence to the principles
of sustainable development so as to enhance the quality of life of the general public.

CANON 2 Civil Engineers shall perform services only in areas of their competence.

a. Civil Engineers shall undertake to perform engineering assignments only when qualified by
education or experience in the technical field of engineering involved.
b. Civil Engineers may accept an assignment requiring education or experience outside of their own
fields of competence, provided their services are restricted to those phases of the project in which
they are qualified. All other phases of such project shall be performed by qualified associates,
consultants, or employees.
c. Civil Engineers shall not affix their signatures or seals to any engineering plan or document dealing
with subject matter in which they lack competence by virtue of education or experience or to any
such plan or document not reviewed or prepared under their supervisory control.

CANON 3 Civil Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.

a. Civil Engineers should endeavor to extend the public knowledge of engineering and sustainable
development, and shall not participate in the dissemination of untrue, unfair or exaggerated
statements regarding engineering.
b. Civil Engineers shall be objective and truthful in professional reports, statements, or testimony.
They shall include all relevant and pertinent information in such reports, statements, or testimony.
c. Civil Engineers, when serving as expert witnesses, shall express an engineering opinion only when
it is founded upon adequate knowledge of the facts, upon a background of technical competence,
and upon honest conviction.
d. Civil Engineers shall issue no statements, criticisms, or arguments on engineering matters which
are inspired or paid for by interested parties, unless they indicate on whose behalf the statements
are made.
e. Civil Engineers shall be dignified and modest in explaining their work and merit, and will avoid any
act tending to promote their own interests at the expense of the integrity, honor, and dignity of the
profession.

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 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
University of Southeastern Philippines
Bislig Campus
CANON 4 Civil Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents
or trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of interest.

a. Civil Engineers shall avoid all known or potential conflicts of interest with their employers or clients
and shall promptly inform their employers or clients of any business association, interests, or
circumstances which could influence their judgment or the quality of their services.
b. Civil Engineers shall not accept compensation from more than one party for services on the same
project, or for services pertaining to the same project, unless the circumstances are fully disclosed
to and agreed to, by all interested parties.
c. Civil Engineers shall not solicit or accept gratuities, directly or indirectly, from contractors, their
agents, or other parties dealing with their clients or employers in connection with work for which
they are responsible.
d. Civil Engineers in public service as members, advisors, or employees of a governmental body or
department shall not participate in considerations or actions with respect to services solicited or
provided by them or their organization in private or public engineering practice.
e. Civil Engineers shall advise their employers or clients when, as a result of their studies, they believe
a project will not be successful.
f. Civil Engineers shall not use confidential information coming to them in the course of their
assignments as a means of making personal profit if such action is adverse to the interests of their
clients, employers or the public.
g. Civil Engineers shall not accept professional employment outside of their regular work or interest
without the knowledge of their employers.

CANON 5 Civil Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their services and shall
not compete unfairly with others.

a. Civil Engineers shall not give, solicit or receive either directly or indirectly, any political contribution,
gratuity, or unlawful consideration in order to secure work, exclusive of securing salaried positions
through employment agencies.
b. Civil Engineers should negotiate contracts for professional services fairly and on the basis of
demonstrated competence and qualifications for the type of professional service required.
c. Civil Engineers may request, propose or accept professional commissions on a contingent basis
only under circumstances in which their professional judgments would not be compromised.
d. Civil Engineers shall not falsify or permit misrepresentation of their academic or professional
qualifications or experience.
e. Civil Engineers shall give proper credit for engineering work to those to whom credit is due, and
shall recognize the proprietary interests of others. Whenever possible, they shall name the person
or persons who may be responsible for designs, inventions, writings or other accomplishments.
f. Civil Engineers may advertise professional services in a way that does not contain misleading
language or is in any other manner derogatory to the dignity of the profession. Examples of
permissible advertising are as follows:
 Professional cards in recognized, dignified publications, and listings in rosters or directories
published by responsible organizations, provided that the cards or listings are consistent in
size and content and are in a section of the publication regularly devoted to such
professional cards.
 Brochures which factually describe experience, facilities, personnel and capacity to render
service, providing they are not misleading with respect to the engineer’s participation in
projects described.

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 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
University of Southeastern Philippines
Bislig Campus
 Display advertising in recognized dignified business and professional publications,
providing it is factual and is not misleading with respect to the engineer’s extent of
participation in projects described.

 A statement of the engineers’ names or the name of the firm and statement of the type of
service posted on projects for which they render services.
 Preparation or authorization of descriptive articles for the lay or technical press, which are
factual and dignified. Such articles shall not imply anything more than direct participation in
the project described.
 Permission by engineers for their names to be used in commercial advertisements, such as
may be published by contractors, material suppliers, etc., only by means of a modest,
dignified notation acknowledging the engineers’ participation in the project described. Such
permission shall not include public endorsement of proprietary products.
g. Civil Engineers shall not maliciously or falsely, directly or indirectly, injure the professional
reputation, prospects, practice or employment of another engineer or indiscriminately criticize
another’s work.
h. Civil Engineers shall not use equipment, supplies, and laboratory or office facilities of their
employers to carry on outside private practice without the consent of their employers.

CANON 6 Civil Engineers shall act in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the honor, integrity, and
dignity of the engineering profession.

a. Civil Engineers shall not knowingly act in a manner which will be derogatory to the honor, integrity,
or dignity of the civil engineering profession practices of a fraudulent, dishonest or unethical
nature.

CANON 7 Civil Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their careers, and
shall provide opportunities for the professional development of those engineers under their
supervision.

a. Civil Engineers should keep current in their specialty fields by engaging in professional practice,
participating in continuing education courses, reading in the technical literature, and attending
professional meetings and seminars.
b. Civil Engineers should encourage their engineering employees to become registered at the earliest
possible date.
c. Civil Engineers should encourage engineering employees to attend and present papers at
professional and technical society meetings.
d. Civil Engineers shall uphold the principle of mutually satisfying relationships between employers
and employees with respect to terms of employment including professional grade descriptions,
salary ranges, and fringe benefits.

Ethical codes are important to Engineering because they ensure that all engineers comply with the
same rules and standards. This leads to fair and healthy practices in the engineering community that
discourage from neglecting, fraud, corruption and reckless endangerment. This offers engineers and
companies equal opportunities, cooperation and fair competition within the engineering profession. Ethics
is relevant because engineers are responsible for the lives that profession affects and need to uphold
and support responsibility to keep the public secure.

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University of Southeastern Philippines
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Application

Task!
True or False. Write T if the statement is true and F if it is false and state the
correct answer for false statement. Use short bond paper only, handwritten or
computer print.

1. Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, must carefully consider

the safety, health, and welfare of the public.
2. Engineers may perform services outside of their areas of competence as long as they inform their
employers or clients.
3. Engineers may issue subjective and partial statements if such statements are in writing and
consistent with the best interests of their employers, clients, or the public.
4. Engineers shall act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees.
5. Engineers shall not be required to engage in truthful acts when required to protect the public health,
safety, and welfare.
6. Engineers may not be required to follow the provisions of state or federal law when such actions
could endanger or compromise their employer or their clients' interests.
7. If engineers' judgment is overruled under circumstances that endanger life or property, they shall
notify their employers or clients and such other authority as may be appropriate.
8. Engineers may review but shall not approve those engineering documents that are in conformity
with applicable standards.
9. Engineers shall not reveal facts, data...information without the prior consent of the client or employer
except as authorized or required by law or this Code.
10. Engineers shall not permit the use of their names or associates in business ventures with any person
or firm that they believe is engaged in fraudulent or dishonest enterprise, unless such enterprise or
activity is deemed consistent with applicable state or federal law.
11. Engineers having knowledge of any alleged violation of this Code, following a period of 30 days
during which the violation is not corrected, shall report thereon to appropriate professional bodies
and, when relevant, also to public authorities, and cooperate with the proper authorities in furnishing
such information or assistance as may be required.
12. Engineers shall undertake assignments only when qualified by education or experience in the
specific technical fields involved.
13. Engineers shall not affix their signatures to plans or documents dealing with subject matter in which
they lack competence, but may affix their signatures to plans or documents not prepared under their
direction and control where they have a good faith belief that such plans or documents were
competently prepared by another designated party.
14. Engineers may accept assignments and assume responsibility for coordination of an entire project
and shall sign and seal the engineering documents for the entire project, including each technical
segment of the plans and documents.
15. Engineers shall strive to be objective and truthful in professional reports, statements or testimony,
with primary consideration for the best interests of the engineers' clients or employers. The
engineers' reports shall include all relevant and pertinent information in such reports, statements, or
testimony, which shall bear the date on which the engineers were retained by the clients to prepare
the reports.
16. Engineers may express publicly technical opinions that are founded upon knowledge of the facts
and competence in the subject matter.

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 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
University of Southeastern Philippines
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17. Engineers shall not issue statements, criticisms, or arguments on technical matters that are inspired
or paid for by interested parties, unless they have prefaced their comments by explicitly identifying
the interested parties on whose behalf they are speaking and revealing the existence of any interest
the engineers may have in the matters.
18. Engineers may not participate in any matter involving a conflict of interest if it could influence or
appear to influence their judgment or the quality of their services.
19. Engineers shall not accept compensation, financial or otherwise, from more than one party for
services on the same project, or for services pertaining to the same project, unless the
circumstances are fully disclosed and agreed to by all interested parties.
20. Engineers shall not solicit but may accept financial or other valuable consideration, directly or
indirectly, from outside agents in connection with the work for which they are responsible, if such
compensation is fully disclosed.
21. Engineers in public service as members, advisors, or employees of a governmental or quasi-
governmental body or department may participate in decisions with respect to services solicited or
provided by them or their organizations in private or public engineering practice as long as such
decisions do not involve technical engineering matters for which they do not possess professional
competence.
22. Engineers shall not solicit nor accept a contract from a governmental body on which a principal or
officer of their organization serves as a member.
23. Engineers shall not intentionally falsify their qualifications nor actively permit written
misrepresentation of their or their associate's qualifications. Engineers may accept credit for
previous work performed where the work was performed during the period the engineers were
employed by the previous employer. Brochures or other presentations incident to the solicitation of
employment shall specifically indicate the work performed and the dates the engineers were
employed by the firms.
24. Engineers shall not offer, give, solicit, nor receive, either directly or indirectly, any contribution to
influence the award of a contract by a public authority, or which may be reasonably construed by
the public as having the effect or intent of influencing the award of a contract unless such contribution
is made in accordance with applicable federal or state election campaign finance laws and
regulations.
25. Engineers shall acknowledge their errors after consulting with their employers or clients.

Closure

Well-done! Now that you have already known the importance of the code of ethics, you can now
proceed to the next lesson which will discuss on the practice of Civil Engineering.

References

https://www.tutorialspoint.com/engineering_ethics/index.htm
Donaldson, K. (2002). The engineering student survival guide. Boston: McGraw-Hill.
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/engineering_ethics/index.htm

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Bislig Campus

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