LEARNING MODULE SURIGAO STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

Module No. 2
CIVIL ENGINEERING CODE OF ETHICS

Topic:

Fundamental Principles
Fundamental Canons
Guidelines to Practice under the Fundamental Canons of Ethics

Time Frame: 3 hours

Introduction:

The Code of Ethics, as you will come to understand, is the foundation of the application
of the civil engineering profession to the client and the public at large. 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.

Objectives:

At the end of this chapter, the students are expected to:

1. Outline the fundamental principles of the Civil Engineering Code of Ethics;
2. Explain the fundamental canons of the Civil Engineering Code of Ethics; and
3. Describe the guidelines to practice under the fundamental canons of ethics.

Learning Activities:

FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES

Engineers uphold and advance the integrity, honor, and dignity of the 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 and
clients;
3. striving to increase the competence and prestige of the 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 professional duties.

CE 124 – CE Laws, Codes, Contracts, Specifications and Ethics 1

 LEARNING MODULE SURIGAO STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

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.

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 engineering profession and shall act with zero tolerance
for bribery, fraud, and corruption.

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.

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.
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.

CE 124 – CE Laws, Codes, Contracts, Specifications and Ethics 2

 LEARNING MODULE SURIGAO STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

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.

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.

CE 124 – CE Laws, Codes, Contracts, Specifications and Ethics 3

 LEARNING MODULE SURIGAO STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

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. 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:
(1) 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.
(2) 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.

CE 124 – CE Laws, Codes, Contracts, Specifications and Ethics 4

 LEARNING MODULE SURIGAO STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

(3) 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.
(4) 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.
(5) 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.
(6) 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. Engineers shall act in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the honor,
integrity, and dignity of the engineering profession and shall act with zero tolerance for bribery,
fraud, and corruption.
a. Engineers shall not knowingly engage in business or professional practices of a
fraudulent, dishonest or unethical nature.

CANON 7. Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their careers,
and shall provide opportunities for the professional development of those engineers under
their supervision.
a. 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. Engineers should encourage their engineering employees to become registered at
the earliest possible date.
c. Engineers should encourage engineering employees to attend and present papers
at professional and technical society meetings.
d. 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.

CE 124 – CE Laws, Codes, Contracts, Specifications and Ethics 5

 LEARNING MODULE SURIGAO STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

Self-Evaluation Test:

Answer the following questions:

1. Why do we need a Code of Ethics?

2. Explain the 7 fundamental canons of the code of ethics in your own words.

Review of Concept:

An engineer is expected not only to protect the public in his or her own work but also to
take action if he or she has knowledge that any other person's actions may undermine the
public welfare.
An engineer may share his or her expertise with the public and reflects principles that
underlie many other provisions of the code.
Engineers may not use confidential information in a way that is detrimental to an employer's
or client's interests, may not take part in decisions as a public servant for services involving
their own private practice, and are obliged to notify their employers before availing
themselves of outside employment opportunities or engaging in work that may give rise to
a conflict of interest.
The canon does not restrict competition among engineers, only methods by which an
engineer may attempt to gain an unfair advantage over his or her competitors. Such unfair
practices include bestowing gifts or tokens to obtain work, falsely portraying one's
qualifications and credentials, taking credit for the work of another, and maliciously
criticizing the work of another.

References:

Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, Inc. (2007). Manual of Professional Practice for Civil
Engineers, 3rd Edition. Manila: Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, Inc.

CE 124 – CE Laws, Codes, Contracts, Specifications and Ethics 6