“Gilbane Gold” and “Testing Water … and Ethics”

The National Society of Professional Engineers code of ethics provides engineers with rules that must be followed to act ethically in the engineering profession. Engineers must follow the code of ethics in all the situations they encountered during their profession but sometimes the application of this rules are challenge by moral decision that are not applicable for the code of ethics. The two videos shown in class highlight two different scenarios were the code of ethics was applied in different perspectives.

In the first video David Jackson a young engineer in the Z CORP company realizes the high levels of heavy metals that are being discharge in the Gilbane sewer system. David Jackson addresses this issue with the VP of the Z CORP company Diane Collins and Frank Seeder the engineer manager both did not understood the issues and let the boss David to check the issue. David’s first unethical action was to not address the issue with his direct supervisor which led to his supervisor to not pay close attention to his concerns. David consults the experience engineer in charge of the testing and monitoring of the levels of discharge to the wastewater system Tom Richards who agrees with David’s concerns and tells Diane Collins that Z CORP needs to improve the wastewater treatment but is fired from the company. Tom Richards knew about the high levels of discharge of heavy metals before David shown any concern, Tom acted unethically by not reporting the issue to the authorities or the CEO of Z CORP after being fired.

After Tom Richards was fired David was left with the responsibility to exposed Z CORP of their bad practices. He seeks help from Professor emeritus Winslow Massin who told David not to exposed ZCORP to the TV station. Nev...

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...sure his concerns were heard. Pat Lawler was a great co-worker that also, follow the code of ethics she show support and advice to Jim when he was lost. Frank McCuen also follows the code of ethics he hear the concerns of his employee and talked to his client without compromising the integrity of the company or Jims reputation.

Both videos reflected that some situations put engineers in difficult dilemmas but is the responsibility of the engineer to follow the engineering code of ethic. Jim Duffy represents an engineer that applies the code of ethics to the fullest extent; he acted responsible, lawfully and was honest to his belief on defending the health and safety of the public. David Jackson in the first movie had good intentions and his concerns did apply the code of ethics but the way he deals with his issue was not the proper way to follow the code of ethics.