NPPE: Study Notes and Material of Ethic and Professionalism

In previous posts, we had a series of discussions about NPPE, you can find them here,

NPPE: IMPORTANT, Case History Summary from the Book of CANADIAN PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING AND GEOSCIENCE PRACTICE AND ETHICS
NPPE: Introduction to National Professional Practice Exam (NPPE) with notes
NPPE: Sample Questions for Ethics
NPPE: Law book notes

Below lists some of the concepts/points summarized from the book of CANADIAN PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING PRACTICE AND ETHICS BOOK


PROFESSIONALISM
Profession:  an occupation characterized by:

Professionalism and professional conduct are defined in terms of a profession and a professional.

• high levels of technical competence
• degree of responsibility inherent in its practice
• requires the application of mature judgment where decisions are made that may affect many people.

ETHICAL THEORIES (Very important to understand the differences and in which context they are applicable)

• Mill’s Utilitarianism:  the best choice in a moral dilemma is that which produces the maximum benefit for the greatest number of people. (democracy)
• Kant’s Formalism (Duty Ethics):  each person has a duty to act ethically.  Happiness is the result of good will: the desire to individually do your duty and follow all the rules.
• Locke’s Rights Ethics:  everyone has rights.  The right to life, human dignity and liberty which must be recognized by others and not stamped on.
• Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics:  choosing the “happy medium”.

Difference between act, regulations, by-laws and code of ethics, who can enforce them, who produces them. 

CODE of ETHICS (Read this interpretation from APEGA, very important, the core of the ethics)

• Professional engineers and geoscientists shall, in their areas of practice, hold paramount the health, safety and welfare of the public, and have regard for the environment.
• Professional engineers and geoscientists shall undertake only work that they are competent to perform by virtue of their training and experience.
• Professional engineers and geoscientists shall conduct themselves with integrity, honesty, fairness and objectivity in their professional activities.
• Professional engineers and geoscientists shall comply with applicable statutes, regulations and bylaws in their professional practices
• Professional engineers and geoscientists shall uphold and enhance the honour, dignity, and reputation of their professions and, thus, the ability of the professions to serve the public interest.

Conflict of Interest, and its disclosure

Know How to Use the Seal

Discipline or enforcement 

Each Association has the power to prosecute people who unlawfully practice professional engineering and to discipline licensed engineers who are guilty of professional misconduct or incompetence.

The provincial Acts typically identify 6 causes for disciplinary action:

• Professional Misconduct:  Any conduct detrimental to the best interests of the public or that harms or tends to harm the standing of the profession generally as unprofessional conduct.  (or an act that would reasonably be regarded as unprofessional)
• Incompetence:  a lack of knowledge, skill, judgment, or disregard for the welfare of the public that demonstrates the member is unfit to carry out the responsibilities of a professional engineer.
• Negligence:  carelessness or carrying out work that is below the accepted standard of care or performance.
• Breach of the Code of Ethics:  
• Physical or Mental Incapacity:  this is included as a definition of incompetence.
• Conviction of an Offense:  Disciplinary action against a member who is guilty of an offense that is relevant to the member’s suitability to practice.

Disciplinary process (look it up) or find it here. ENGINEERING AND GEOSCIENCE PROFESSIONS ACT 

Copy rights, trademarks, patents, industry design, trade secrets 
Know the differences, and the ownership

How to Maintaining Professional Competence