Engineering Ethics

by Baura

• ISBN13: 9780120885312
• ISBN10: 012088531X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-04-11
• Publisher: Elsevier Science

Summary

Engineering Ethics is the application of philosophical and moral systems to the proper judgment and behavior by engineers in conducting their work, including the products and systems they design and the consulting services they provide. In light of the new Sarbanes/Oxley federal legislation on whistle-blowing protections, a clear understanding of Engineering Ethics is needed like never before.Beginning with a concise overview of various approaches to engineering ethics, the real heart of the book will be some 13 detailed case studies, delving into the history behind each one, the official outcome and the real story behind what happened. Using a consistent format and organization for each onegiving background, historical summary, news media effects, outcome and interpretation--these case histories will be used to clearly illustrate the ethics issues at play and what should or should not have been done by the engineers, scientists and managers involved in each instance.

Table of Contents

Foreword	xv
Preface	xvii
Part I An Ethics Foundation
Chapter 1 A Personal Engineering Ethics Threshold
A Real World Example	4	(2)
What Is Engineering Ethics?	6	(1)
Ethical Theories	7	(6)
Utilitarianism	9	(1)
Duty Ethics	10	(1)
Rights Ethics	11	(1)
Virtue Ethics	12	(1)
Engineering Ethics Codes	13	(1)
NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers	13	(1)
IEEE Code of Ethics	13	(1)
Code Effectiveness	14	(1)
Professional Responsibility	14	(2)
Protection of Public Safety	14	(1)
Technical Competence	15	(1)
Timely Communication of Negative & Positive Results to Management	15	(1)
Ethical Dilemmas	16	(2)
Public Safety & Welfare	16	(1)
Data Integrity & Representation	17	(1)
Trade Secrets & Industrial Espionage	17	(1)
Gift Giving & Bribery	17	(1)
Principle of Informed Consent	17	(1)
Conflict of Interest	18	(1)
Accountability to Clients & Customers	18	(1)
Fair Treatment	18	(1)
Determining Your Personal Engineering Ethics Threshold for Action	18	(2)
What Is Your Personal Threshold?	19	(1)
References	20	(1)
Questions for Discussion	20	(3)
Chapter 2 Options for Action When an Engineering Ethics Threshold Is Reached
Departure	23	(1)
Whistleblowing	24	(1)
The Employee Conscience	25	(5)
Employee Protection Legislation	26	(2)
Employee Protection Procedures	28	(1)
Employee Protection Examples	29	(1)
The Observer Conscience	30	(3)
Observer Protection Legislation	30	(1)
Observer Protection Procedures	31	(1)
Observer Protection Examples	32	(1)
Conclusion	33	(1)
References	33	(1)
Questions for Discussion	34	(5)
Part II National Case Studies
Chapter 3 1978: Ford Pinto Recall
The Reported Story	39	(1)
The Back Story	39	(8)
Automobile Safety	39	(2)
Ford Subcompact Car Project	41	(4)
Pinto Investigations	45	(1)
Pinto Lawsuits	46	(1)
Applicable Regulations	47	(2)
An Engineering Perspective	49	(1)
References	50	(1)
Questions for Discussion	51	(2)
Chapter 4 1981: Kansas City Hyatt Regency Skywalk Collapse
The Reported Story	53	(1)
The Back Story	53	(6)
Kansas City Hyatt Regency Hotel Design	53	(1)
Hyatt Project Hierarchy	54	(1)
Original Box Beam Hanger Rod Design and Modifications	55	(2)
Atrium Roof Collapse	57	(1)
Walkway Investigation	57	(1)
Administrative Hearing Actions	58	(1)
Applicable Regulations	59	(1)
An Engineering Perspective	59	(1)
References	59	(1)
Questions for Discussion	60	(3)
Chapter 5 1986: Challenger Space Shuttle Explosion
The Reported Story	63	(1)
The Back Story	63	(8)
The Space Shuttle Design	63	(4)
Early Problems	67	(1)
Launch Delays and Subsequent Launch	68	(1)
Presidential Commission Investigation	69	(1)
Commission Recommendations	70	(1)
Applicable Regulations	71	(1)
An Engineering Perspective	71	(2)
References	73	(1)
Questions for Discussion	74	(1)
Chapter 6 1989: Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
The Reported Story	75	(1)
The Back Story	75	(7)
The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System	75	(3)
Oil Spill Preparedness	78	(1)
The Last Voyage of the Exxon Valdez	79	(1)
Oil Spill Cleanup	80	(1)
Oil Spill Investigation	81	(1)
Lawsuits	82	(1)
Applicable Regulations	82	(3)
An Engineering Perspective	85	(1)
References	86	(1)
Questions for Discussion	87	(2)
Chapter 7 1989: San Francisco—Oakland Bay Bridge Earthquake Collapse
The Reported Story	89	(1)
The Back Story	89	(6)
Transportation in the Bay Area in the 1920's	89	(1)
Bridge Design and Construction	90	(1)
Railway Retrofit	91	(2)
Loma Prieta Earthquake	93	(1)
New Bridge	94	(1)
Applicable Regulations	95	(1)
An Engineering Perspective	96	(1)
References	97	(1)
Questions for Discussion	97	(2)
Chapter 8 1994: Bjork-Shiley Heart Valve Defect
The Reported Story	99	(1)
The Back Story	99	(6)
Heart Valves	99	(1)
The Bjork-Shiley Heart Valve	100	(1)
Bjork-Shiley Valve Complications & Investigations	101	(3)
U.S. Government Intervention	104	(1)
Other Lawsuits	104	(1)
Applicable Regulations	105	(2)
An Engineering Perspective	107	(1)
References	107	(1)
Questions for Discussion	108	(1)
Chapter 9 1999: Y2K Software Conversion
The Reported Story	109	(1)
The Back Story	109	(5)
The Millennium Bug	109	(1)
Special Committee on the Year 2000 Technology Problem	110	(1)
Interim Assessments	110	(2)
Day One Preparation	112	(1)
Y2K Aftermath	112	(2)
Applicable Regulations	114	(2)
An Engineering Perspective	116	(1)
References	116	(1)
Questions for Discussion	117	(2)
Chapter 10 2002: Bell Laboratories Scientific Fraud
The Reported Story	119	(1)
The Back Story	120	(8)
The History of Bell Laboratories	120	(3)
Nanotechnology	123	(1)
Jan Hendrik Schon's Bell Labs Work	124	(2)
Bell Labs Investigation	126	(2)
Aftermath	128	(1)
Applicable Regulations	128	(2)
A Scientific Perspective	130	(1)
References	130	(1)
Questions for Discussion	131	(2)
Chapter 11 2002: Ford Explorer Rollover
The Reported Story	133	(1)
The Back Story	133	(6)
Ford Explorers and Firestone Tires	133	(1)
CAFE Standards and Sport Utility Vehicles	134	(1)
The Ford Bronco II	135	(1)
The Ford Explorer	135	(2)
Government Regulation of SUVs	137	(1)
Ford Explorer Lawsuits	138	(1)
The 2002 Ford Explorer	139	(1)
Applicable Regulations	139	(1)
Business & Professions Code	140	(1)
An Engineering Perspective	140	(2)
References	142	(1)
Questions for Discussion	143	(2)
Chapter 12 2003: Columbia Space Shuttle Explosion
The Reported Story	145	(1)
The Back Story	145	(5)
External Tank Insulation	146	(1)
Early Problems	147	(1)
Launch Delays and Subsequent Launch	148	(1)
Columbia Accident Investigation Board	148	(1)
Investigation Board Recommendations	149	(1)
Applicable Regulations	150	(1)
An Engineering Perspective	151	(1)
References	151	(1)
Questions for Discussion	152	(1)
Chapter 13 2003: Guidant Ancure Endograft System
The Reported Story	153	(1)
The Back Story	154	(4)
FDA Good Manufacturing Practices	154	(1)
Medical Device Background	154	(2)
Clinical Performance After FDA Approval	156	(1)
Device Investigations	157	(1)
Settlement	158	(1)
Applicable Regulations	158	(2)
An Engineering Perspective	160	(1)
References	160	(1)
Questions for Discussion	161	(2)
Chapter 14 2003: Northeast Blackout
The Reported Story	163	(1)
The Back Story	163	(8)
The North American Interconnection	163	(2)
Grid Reliability	165	(1)
The Grid in Ohio	166	(1)
The Initiation of the Blackout	167	(1)
Task Force Investigation and Recommendations	168	(3)
Applicable Regulations	171	(2)
An Engineering Perspective	173	(1)
References	173	(1)
Questions for Discussion	174	(3)
Chapter 15 2004: Indian Ocean Tsunami
The Reported Story	177	(1)
The Back Story	177	(5)
The Sumatra-Andaman Earthquake	177	(2)
The Indian Ocean Tsunami	179	(1)
Tsunami Aftermath	180	(1)
Tsunami Warning Systems	181	(1)
Applicable Regulations	182	(1)
An Engineering Perspective	182	(1)
References	183	(1)
Questions for Discussion	184	(3)
Part III Individual Case Studies
Chapter 16 Anonymous Industrial Engineering Ethics Cases
Case 1: Biomedical Engineer	187	(2)
Case 2: Mechanical Engineer	189	(2)
Case 3: Electrical Engineer	191	(1)
Case 4: Geologic Engineer	192	(2)
Case 5: Biomedical Engineer	194	(2)
Case 6: Electrical Engineer	196	(1)
Case 7: Mechanical Engineer	197	(1)
Case 8: Biomedical Engineer	198	(2)
Case 9: Computer Engineer	200	(1)
Case 10: Electrical Engineer	201
Appendix
National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Code of Ethics for Engineers	203	(7)
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Code of Ethics	210	(1)
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002	211	(4)
Index	215	(4)
A Request from the Author	219	(1)
About the Author	220