CE 14 Civil Engineering Laws, Ethics and Contracts

Lecture Notes 1
in
Civil Engineering Laws,
Ethics and Contracts

CE 14
Second Semester
2021-2022
BSCE Curriculum 2018

Presented by: NENITA M. ABARADO, Ph.D., C.E.

College of Engineering and Architecture
Bohol Island State University-Main Campus

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CE 14 Civil Engineering Laws, Ethics and Contracts

Lesson 1
Introduction

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

1. Know the general ethics and ethical values of Civil Engineer.

2. Explain why ethics and values are important.

Time Frame: 2 hours

Introduction

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) noted that,”Civil engineering is

technical by nature, often involving complex concepts, evaluation, calculation, and design
to implement a project. The other side of civil engineering is our interface with people,
including the public, clients, reviewing agencies, and all the other people we impact with
our work. This interface is where ethics comes into play.” (Mr. Eric L. Flavell, P.E., F.ASCE
THE ASCE Code of Ethics Principles, Study, and Application)

A code of ethics is a basic set of values and behaviors that are intended to be
embraced by users so they conduct themselves responsibly, in an irreproachable manner,
with honor and integrity. It is a document that serves as a reference from moral guidelines.

The purpose of the Code of Ethics is to provide guiding principles to help the
individual decide what actions will be appropriate and therefore supported by the Code of
Ethics. A review of the Code of Ethics and the fundamental principles discussed in the
code should help you sort through the issues and determine what is ethical and what is
unethical.

 Code of Ethics
Adopted in September 2001 as part of the Manual of Professional Practice for Civil Engineers
published by the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers.

It shall be considered unprofessional and inconsistent with honorable and dignified

bearing for any registered Civil Engineer:

• To act for his clients* in professional matters otherwise than as a faithful agent or
trustee, or to accept any remuneration other than his stated charges for services
rendered his clients.

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CE 14 Civil Engineering Laws, Ethics and Contracts

• To attempt to injure falsely or maliciously, directly or indirectly, the professional

reputation, prospects, or business of another Engineer.

• To attempt to supplant another Engineer after definite steps have been taken
toward his employment.

• To participate in competitive bidding on a price basis to secure a professional

engagement.

• To compete with another Engineer for employment on the basis of professional

charges, by reducing his usual charges and in this manner attempting to underbid
after being informed of the charges named by another.

• To review the work of another Engineer for the same client, except with the
knowledge or consent of such Engineer, or unless the connection of such Engineer
with the work has been terminated.

• To advertise in self-laudatory language, or in any other manner derogatory to the

dignity of the Profession.

• To use the advantages of a salaried position to compete unfairly with Engineers in

private practice.

• To act in any manner or engage in any practice which will tend to bring discredit
on the honor or dignity of the Engineering Profession.

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 services 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.

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CE 14 Civil Engineering Laws, Ethics and Contracts

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.

 ETHICS IN ENGINEERING is the ability as well as responsibility of an engineer to

judge his decisions from the context of the general wellbeing of the society. It is
the study of moral issues that confront engineers and engineering organizations
when some crucial decisions are taken. Engineering research and practice
requires that the task being performed considers all the pros and cons of a certain
action and its implementation.

 The Preamble of the National Society of Professional Engineers stated that

“Engineering is an important and learned profession. As members of this
profession, engineers are expected to exhibit the highest standards of honesty and
integrity. Engineering has a direct and vital impact on the quality of life for all
people. Accordingly, the services provided by engineers require honesty,
impartiality, fairness, and equity, and must be dedicated to the protection of the
public health, safety, and welfare. Engineers must perform under a standard of
professional behavior that requires adherence to the highest principles of ethical
conduct”.

Ethical standards in engineering are influenced by many factors:

1. Engineering as an experimentation for the good of mankind is a notable factor

involving far reaching consequence,
2. Ethical dilemmas make engineering decisions relatively difficult to make.
3. Risk and safety of citizens as a social responsibility is a prime concern of an
engineer,
4. Technological advancement can be very demanding on the engineering skill in the
global context,
5. Moral values and responsible conduct will play a crucial role in decision making.

 VALUES in a narrow sense is that which is good, desirable, or worthwhile. Values

are the motive behind purposeful action. They are the ends to which we act and
come in many forms. Personal values are personal beliefs about right and wrong
and may or may not be considered moral. Cultural values are values accepted by
religions or societies and reflect what is important in each context.

Values are essential to ethics. Ethics is concerned with human actions, and the
choice of those actions. Ethics evaluates those actions, and the values that underlie them.
It determines which values should be pursued, and which shouldn't.

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CE 14 Civil Engineering Laws, Ethics and Contracts

Assignment 1. (Please follow the format)

Using an A4 size bond paper, answer each question below using a minimum of 250 words
(font: Arial, size 11). Your response should include your own personal thoughts. You can
cite situations or examples to support your answers. If you use examples or situations
from other sources, make a note of the source's name and the URL.
Indicate the total number of words. Target date of submission will be announced during
the virtual meeting next week.

Questions:
1. How does ethics affect my personal life in addition to my professional life?
2. Do all people have the same ethical concerns?
3. What makes ethics so important?
4. What impact does ethics have on leadership?
5. What should I do if I see someone behaving unethically?
6. Choose one of the codes of ethics and explain it with an example or
scenario.

REFERENCES:

Eric L. Flavell, P.E., F.ASCE, THE ASCE Code of Ethics Principles, Study, and
Application)
http://ingenieria-civil.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/asce-ethics.pdf

https://www.prc.gov.ph/sites/default/files/Board%20of%20Civil%20Engineering%20-
%20Code%20of%20Ethics_0.pdf

Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers Inc. (2011). Manual of Professional Practice for
Civil Engineers, 3rd Edition, Manila: PICE.
https://pice.org.ph › about-us

https://onlineuet.files.wordpress.com/2018/08/ethics-and-values-in-engineering-
profession.pdf

https://www.ethicssage.com/2018/08/what-are-values.html
https://www.nspe.org/resources/ethics/code-ethics

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CE 14 Civil Engineering Laws, Ethics and Contracts

Assignment format:

Civil Engineering Laws, Ethics and Contracts

Name of Student: ___________________ Course: BSCE

Assignment for: CE 14 Semester: First Semester -A.Y. 2021-2022

Activity No. 1 Instructor: ENGR. NENITA M. ABARADO

Q1.

A1.

Q2.

A2……………..

Date submitted/time: ______________________

Signature: ___________________________
student