BATAAN HEROES COLLEGE

Module 3:
CODE OF ETHICAL
AND
PROFESSIONAL
STANDARDS FOR
THE PRACTICE OF
MECHANICAL
ENGINEERING
PROFESSION

Module 3: CODE OF ETHICAL AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

Engr. Desiderio V. Pepito Page 0
 BATAAN HEROES COLLEGE

This module or any portion thereof may not be reproduced, copied, transmitted or
distributed without the express written permission of the college or author to this source.

Module 3: CODE OF ETHICAL AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

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Module 3: CODE OF ETHICAL AND PROFESSIONAL

STANDARDS FOR THE PRACTICE OF
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Module Description

This module deals with the practice of his profession by observing standards of
professional behavior that requires strict adherence to the principles of ethical and professional
conduct provided by the Code of Ethics of their profession.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

After studying this module, you should be able to:

1. Recognize that the work of mechanical engineering profession has a direct and vital impact
on the quality of the people.

2. Understand that the services of mechanical engineer provides is impressed with public
interest for it affects the health, safety and welfare of the people, hence, they should be
honest, fair, impartial and just at dealing not only with their clients but also with their
fellowmen.

INTRODUCTION

❖ From the pre-historic times, artifacts have revealed of the early engineering ingenuity.
❖ This had progressed in the modern times that we now learn from accounted events of many
amazing discoveries, all about by the activity called “engineering.”
❖ It is obvious that the engineer’s expertise and technical skills, which probably makes up
engineering, contributes much to the survival and growth of mankind.
❖ He said is to a designer of amazing things through utilization of materials and forces of
nature discovery by scientists and the application of his knowledge of mathematical and
natural science.

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❖ As a Dean of Engineering said: “the engineer systematizes and consolidates the gains
of scientific research and fashions that knowledge into systems and designs all for the
social and economic benefit of man.”
❖ Thus, when engineer plans and constructs modern roads, dams and port, facilities, when he
studies the sources and uses of electrical energy, when he sets up industrial systems,
develop and designs new machines, and when he analyses sewage and water disposal these
days, etc, he thereby becomes a living proof of man’s capacity to create, and in doing so
brings about the greatest economic and social advancement.
❖ It is not farfetched that “engineering”, if inproperly exploited, may cause the destruction
of mankind, as in the present race in space conquest and nuclear weapon by elite nations,
and in the process destroying each other.
❖ For all the aforesaid considerations, the role of an engineer in the society becomes
apparently unparalleled – a role unmatched by common man, thereby subjecting himself
to certain professional resposibility established under the Canons of Professional Ethics.

ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlDnagFygkA

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LECTURE

❖ PREAMBLE
▪ Engineering is a profession as old as civilization. It is not only an important
profession. It is also a learned one.
▪ The Members of the Mechanical Engineering profession recognize that their work
has a direct and vital impact on the quality of life of the people,
▪ The services that Mechanical Engineers provides is impressed with public interest
for it affects the health, safety and welfare of the people, hence, they should be
honest, fair impartial and just in dealing not only with their clients but also with
their fellowmen
▪ As a professional, the Mechanical Engineer must practice his profession by
observing standards of professional behavior that requires strict adherence to the
principles of ethical and professional conduct provided by the Code of Ethics of
their profession.
❖ FUNDAMENTAL CANONS
Mechanical Engineers in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall
1. Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public in the performance of their
professional duties,
2. Perform services only in areas of their competence.
3. Make/ issue public statements on issues only in an objective and truthful manner.
4. Act in a professional manner for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees
5. Avoid improper solicitation from clients or professional employment.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES

Rule 1. The Mechanical Engineer shall, in the practice of his profession, be guided by the
Golden Rule, the ideals of service to man in his environment, and the need to secure
unwavering public confidence in his professional competence, integrity and
humanity.

Rule 2. The Mechanical Engineer shall maintain the proper professional fee for his
profession, observe the standards of professional practice, safeguard the dignity,
and reputation of his colleagues in the profession, and fulfill his duties and
obligations as a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines.

Rule 3. The Mechanical Engineer shall update and enhance constantly his professional
knowledge and skills through assiduous research and study and participation in
continuing professional development programs and seminars conducted o
authorized by the Integrated Organization of Mechanical Engineers accredited by

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the Board of Mechanical Engineering and the Professional Regulation Commission

(PRO) on educational institutions supervised by the state.

Rule 4. The ethical principles required to be observed by mechanical engineers shall

equally apply to partnerships, firms and entities organized and existing for the
practice of mechanical engineering.

❖ RELATIONS WITH THE STATE

Rule 5. The mechanical engineer shall honor and respect the supreme authority of the Rule
of Law, the primacy of the general welfare, the fundamental rights of persons, and
the obligations and privileges of citizens recognized and guaranteed by the
Constitution of the Philippines.

Rule 6. He shall cooperate fully with the State in the pursuit of national development of the
plans and programs, shall respect the inviolability of national security, shall assist
in the promotion of peace and order and when circumstances arise, shall assist in
the prevention and/or prosecution of unjust, criminal or unlawful acts and
omissions.

Rule 7. He shall be ready to render the services needed for the development of the resources
of the country, and to offer his mechanical devices and inventions essential or
necessary for national defense.

Rule 8. In case of national emergency, he shall be ready to offer his professional knowledge,
skill and experience in the service of the State.

❖ RELATIONS WITH THE COMMUNITY

Rule 9. The mechanical engineer shall be well-informed of the latest technological progress
in his own line of work. He shall encourage or require whenever appropriate the
use, or application of standard mechanical equipment, machinery, or process for
safety, economy and efficiency

Rule 10. Whenever he designs a mechanical equipment, machinery or process, or prepares

the layout of a project, he must apply an adequate factor of safety, and provide for
the necessary leeway to insure and maintain for proper operating and maintenance
condition.
Rule 11. When he discovers faulty or unsafe devices, equipment or machinery in any place,
work or plant, he shall without delay, give notice thereof to the proper authority,
public or private, for the immediate and effective correction, regardless of whether
or not he is responsible for the place, work or plant.

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❖ RELATIONS WITH LABOR

Rule 12. The mechanical engineer shall recognize labor as one of the major resources of our
country. He must acknowledge that a working man is not a mechanical robot but a
human being
Rule 13. He should be familiar with state policies on labor and social justice, as well as, the
labor and social legislation and shall observe faithfully these policies and laws in
dealings with labor in general, and with his workmen in particular

Rule 14. He shall strive to improve the skills of his workmen, pay them a fair living wage,
and instruct them on how to prevent accidents in their place of work.

❖ RELATIONS WITH CLIENTS AND EMPLOYERS

Rule 15. The mechanical engineer shall observe punctuality in his appointments, perform
honestly and in good faith, his contractual obligation and his duties and obligations
to his clients or employer, and observe fair dealing in his relations with his clients
and employers.
Rule 16. He shall treat with confidentiality any information obtained by him regarding the
business affairs and technical method or processes of a client or employer.
Rule 17. He shall inform his client or employer of his business connections, interests, or
affiliations which may influence his judgment, or impair the quality or character of
his services.

Rule 18. The mechanical engineer is entitled to a just and fair compensation for his services.
In the computation of such compensation, the period of time consumed, his
professional knowledge, skill, experience, and reputation, and the depreciation of
instruments and materials used, shall be considered and accorded such weight as is
just and reasonable.

Rule 19. He shall accept compensation, financial or otherwise, for his services from his
clients or employer only. He may agree to, or receive compensation from other
sources only with the full knowledge and consent of all parties concerned.

Rule 20. The mechanical engineer shall be completely above suspicion or reproach in his
relation with his clients or employers, avoiding the remotest reference or relation
to any secret or questionable agreement on commissions or other financial
considerations promised by or received from any person or entity other than his
client or employer.

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❖ RELATIONS WITH COLLEAGUES ASSOCIATES

Rule 21. "To thine own self be true and thou cannot be false to any men" expresses the duty
which a Mechanical Engineer owes to himself and to others.

Rule 22. The Mechanical Engineer shall use only fair means to gain professional
advancement. In the pursuit thereof. He shall not injure the work employment
opportunities of others, or use any improper or questionable method of soliciting
employment or clients.

Rule 23. He shall refrain from associating with or allowing the use of his name by, and any
person or entity of questionable reputation.

Rule 24. He shall provide the opportunity and the means to improve and advance the
knowledge, skills, and experience of his colleagues and associates.

Rule 25. He shall define clearly the line of authority and scope of responsibility of his
associates and assistants. Orders, or the recall thereof shall be issued through proper
channels.

Rule 26. He shall be receptive to new ideas and suggestions from others and ready to
recognize, encourage, and accredit the authors thereof. Suggestions for colleagues
and associates shall be given more careful attention.

Rule 27. He shall use tact and discretion in dealing with his colleagues and associates, but
not at the sacrifice of firmness. He shall work out difficult problems with courage
and serenity.

Rule 28. Careful selection of understudies shall be a guiding principle, and preference shall
be given to those with adequate engineering education.

Rule 29. He shall not expect others to face danger that he himself will not face. He shall
observe at all times safety requirements for the protection of all concerned.

Rule 30. The Mechanical Engineer shall actively support the duly accredited association
with the end in view of enhancing the practice of the profession and discharging his
public responsibilities as professional.

❖ PROVISIONS ON DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Rule 31 Violation of any provision of this Code shall constitute a ground for the
revocation or suspension of the certificate of registration and professional
license/professional identification card or the cancellation of a temporary or
special permit under the provisions of Sec. 26 and 27, Art. III of R.A. No. 8495,

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known as the "Mechanical Engineering Act of 1998" and Sec. 41, Rule and
Regulations Implementing R.A. No. 8495.

❖ EFFECTIVITY

Rule 32. This code shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in full in the
official gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation whichever comes earlier.

Done in the City of Manila, this 10th day of March, 2003

ANTONIO RO. HERRERA

Chairman

DONATO K. KARAMIHAN
CHONA A. EVANGELISTA
Member
Member

Attested:
CARLOS G. ALMELOR
Secretary, Professional Regulatory Boards

Approved:

ANTONIETA FORTUNA-IBE
Chairperson

ALFONSO G. ABAD AVELINA DE LA REA-TAN

Commissioner Commissioner

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Assessment (Pre-Test)

Exercises:

A. Cite the following Code of Ethical and Professional standards.

1. Fundamental Canons
2. General Principles
3. Relation with the state
4. Relation with Community
5. Relation with Clients and Employers

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References

1. Professional Regulation Commission, Manila, Republic of the Philippines, Board of

Mechanical Engineering; Resolution No.06, Serves of 2003.

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