Ethics in Chemical Ethics in Chemical EngineeringEngineering

Article on BP AccidentArticle on BP AccidentChapter 1.6Chapter 1.6Terry A. RingTerry A. Ring

ChEChE

Six Pillars of Character Six Pillars of Character Josephson, M. "Making Ethical Decisions", The Josephson Josephson, M. "Making Ethical Decisions", The Josephson

Institute of Ethics, 1993.Institute of Ethics, 1993.

TrustworthinessTrustworthiness : : quality of dependability and includes quality of dependability and includes honesty integrity, loyalty, and promise-keeping.honesty integrity, loyalty, and promise-keeping.

Respect Respect : : treating others (superiors, subordinates, treating others (superiors, subordinates, clients, contractors) in a manner to enhance their dignity.clients, contractors) in a manner to enhance their dignity.

Responsibility Responsibility : : comprises accountability, pursuit of comprises accountability, pursuit of excellence and self-restraint.excellence and self-restraint.

Justice and FairnessJustice and Fairness : : be objective and impartial, do be objective and impartial, do what is right, pursuit of excellencewhat is right, pursuit of excellence

CaringCaring : : when ethical decisions are made, the impact to when ethical decisions are made, the impact to all concerned should be minimized.all concerned should be minimized.

Civic Virtue Civic Virtue (accepting appointments, give time (accepting appointments, give time and money to social causes) and and money to social causes) and Citizenship Citizenship : : obligation to community which extends beyond self obligation to community which extends beyond self interest.interest.

EthicsEthics

– "While students come to college knowing a good deal "While students come to college knowing a good deal about ordinary morality, they generally do not come to about ordinary morality, they generally do not come to college knowing much about the ethics of their profession. college knowing much about the ethics of their profession. (Because) (Because) Professional ethics differs from profession to Professional ethics differs from profession to profession and cannot be deduced from ordinary morality profession and cannot be deduced from ordinary morality or philosophical theoryor philosophical theory." ... ." ...

– "While we can assume our students have a pretty good "While we can assume our students have a pretty good understanding of morality and want to behave decently, understanding of morality and want to behave decently, we cannot assume that they know, for example, whether we cannot assume that they know, for example, whether to put their client's welfare (or their employer's welfare) or to put their client's welfare (or their employer's welfare) or the public welfare firstthe public welfare first. .

For lawyers, the client's welfare generally has priorityFor lawyers, the client's welfare generally has priority What is it for Engineers?.What is it for Engineers?.” ”

– Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions,IIT, Vol Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions,IIT, Vol 13(2), p. 1, February 1994.13(2), p. 1, February 1994.

Issues Associated with Issues Associated with EthicsEthics

Ethics is not just Black and White, but predominately grey Ethics is not just Black and White, but predominately grey from the deciders point of view.from the deciders point of view.

Ethical decisions viewed by others tends to be Black and Ethical decisions viewed by others tends to be Black and White.White.

Ethics is not a matter of majority vote but of private Ethics is not a matter of majority vote but of private conscience.conscience.

Loyalty causes ethical confusionLoyalty causes ethical confusion– Client, employer, self, family, public - Who comes first?Client, employer, self, family, public - Who comes first?

Protect Public Health or keep your job - Nerve Agent Disposal Protect Public Health or keep your job - Nerve Agent Disposal Engineer in Utah (Whistle Blower Laws)Engineer in Utah (Whistle Blower Laws)

Loyalty to friend or to self?Loyalty to friend or to self? To take a job transfer or not - Family before employer? To take a job transfer or not - Family before employer?

http://onlineethics.org/http://onlineethics.org/

EthicsEthics

We live in a Litigious SocietyWe live in a Litigious Society

AIChE Code of Ethics -AIChE Code of Ethics -19951995

Members of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers shall uphold and advance the integrity, Members of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers shall uphold and advance the integrity,

honor and dignity of the engineering profession by : being honest and impartial and serving with honor and dignity of the engineering profession by : being honest and impartial and serving with

fidelity their employers, their clients, and the public: striving to increase the competence and fidelity their employers, their clients, and the public: striving to increase the competence and

prestige of the engineering profession; and using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement prestige of the engineering profession; and using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement

of human welfare. To achieve these goals, members shallof human welfare. To achieve these goals, members shall 1. Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public in performance of their 1. Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public in performance of their

professional duties. professional duties. 2. Formally advise their employers or clients(and consider further disclosure, if 2. Formally advise their employers or clients(and consider further disclosure, if

warranted) if they perceive that a consequence of their duties will adversely affect the warranted) if they perceive that a consequence of their duties will adversely affect the present or future health or safety of their colleagues or the public.present or future health or safety of their colleagues or the public.

3. Accept responsibility for their actions and recognize the contributions of others; seek 3. Accept responsibility for their actions and recognize the contributions of others; seek critical review of their work and offer objective criticism of the work of others.critical review of their work and offer objective criticism of the work of others.

4. Issue statements or present information only in an objective and truthful manner.4. Issue statements or present information only in an objective and truthful manner. 5. Act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees, 5. Act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees,

and and avoid conflicts of interestavoid conflicts of interest.. 6. Treat fairly all colleagues and co-workers, recognizing their unique contributions and 6. Treat fairly all colleagues and co-workers, recognizing their unique contributions and

capabilities.capabilities. 7. Perform professional services only in areas of their competence.7. Perform professional services only in areas of their competence. 8. Build their professional reputations on the merits of their services.8. Build their professional reputations on the merits of their services. 9. Continue their professional development throughout their careers, and provide 9. Continue their professional development throughout their careers, and provide

opportunities for the professional development of those under their supervision.opportunities for the professional development of those under their supervision.

Fundamental CanonsFundamental Canons 1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of 1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of

the public in the performance of their professional duties.the public in the performance of their professional duties. 2. Engineers shall perform services only in areas of their 2. Engineers shall perform services only in areas of their

competence.competence. 3. Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and 3. Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and

truthful manner.truthful manner. 4. Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or 4. Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or

client as faithful agents or trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of client as faithful agents or trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of interest.interest.

5. Engineers shall build their professional reputations on the merits 5. Engineers shall build their professional reputations on the merits of their services.of their services.

6. Engineers shall act in such a manner as to up hold, enhance the 6. Engineers shall act in such a manner as to up hold, enhance the honor, integrity and dignity of the engineering profession.honor, integrity and dignity of the engineering profession.

7. Engineers shall continue their professional development 7. Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their careers, and shall provide for the professional throughout their careers, and shall provide for the professional development of those engineers under their supervision.development of those engineers under their supervision.

AIChE - 8/16/1980AIChE - 8/16/1980

EthicsEthics

"Let no man turn aside, ever so slightly, "Let no man turn aside, ever so slightly, from the broad path of honor, on the from the broad path of honor, on the plausible pretense that he is justified by plausible pretense that he is justified by the goodness of the end. the goodness of the end. All good ends All good ends can be worked out by good means.can be worked out by good means. Those that cannot, are bad; and may be Those that cannot, are bad; and may be counted so at once and left alone.”, counted so at once and left alone.”, Charles Dickens in Charles Dickens in Barnaby TudgeBarnaby Tudge, 1841, 1841– Many people have been fired for Travel Many people have been fired for Travel

Expense FraudExpense Fraud

Ethical PriorityEthical Priority

For engineers, the For engineers, the public's welfare public's welfare has priorityhas priority

Process SafetyProcess Safety

Lectures to follow on Process Lectures to follow on Process SafetySafety

Student Certificat Program at Student Certificat Program at AIChEAIChE

http://sache.org/http://sache.org/student_certificate_program.aspstudent_certificate_program.asp

BP Texas City BP Texas City Plant 3-05Plant 3-05

15 people dead15 people dead180 Injured180 Injured

$1.6 Billion spent to $1.6 Billion spent to settle 1000 claimssettle 1000 claims

Another Disaster in Texas City Another Disaster in Texas City April 16, 1947, fire and April 16, 1947, fire and detonation of ~2,300 tons of detonation of ~2,300 tons of ammonium nitrate being loaded ammonium nitrate being loaded on board the on board the FrenchFrench-registered -registered vessel SS vessel SS Grandcamp Grandcamp in the in the port at Texas City, killing port at Texas City, killing 581people.581people.

mms://powerhost.powerstream.net/002/00174/051222bp/BPAnimations.wmv

BP oil spill in Alaska BP oil spill in Alaska

March 2006March 2006– 6,4000 bbl oil over 1.9 acres6,4000 bbl oil over 1.9 acres– Neglected Neglected

Corrosion monitoringCorrosion monitoring– Cut team sizeCut team size

pipeline servicepipeline service Neglected multiple cries from employeesNeglected multiple cries from employees

– Guilty to negligent discharge of oilGuilty to negligent discharge of oil fined US$20 million fined US$20 million

BP Oil Spill -2010BP Oil Spill -2010

11 Dead11 Dead

BP AccidentBP Accident

The incident occurred during the The incident occurred during the start-up of an isomerisation (ISOM) start-up of an isomerisation (ISOM) unit when a raffinate splitter tower unit when a raffinate splitter tower was overfilled and over-heated. was overfilled and over-heated. When liquid subsequently filled the When liquid subsequently filled the overhead line, the relief valves overhead line, the relief valves opened. This caused excessive liquid opened. This caused excessive liquid and vapour to flow to blowdown and vapour to flow to blowdown drum and vent at top of the stack. drum and vent at top of the stack.

Ethics CaseEthics Case Putnam is an engineer employed by a computer Putnam is an engineer employed by a computer

manufacturer. He is responsible for the design of some manufacturer. He is responsible for the design of some computer equipment and signs off on the drawings. Although computer equipment and signs off on the drawings. Although his design has been properly prepared, the manufacturing his design has been properly prepared, the manufacturing process is faulty, drives up cost, and suffers a mechanical process is faulty, drives up cost, and suffers a mechanical breakdown. The manufacturing division suggests breakdown. The manufacturing division suggests modifications to bring down costs, but Putnam analyzes the modifications to bring down costs, but Putnam analyzes the recommendations and finds that they would reduce the recommendations and finds that they would reduce the reliability of the product that would likely cost the company reliability of the product that would likely cost the company more through warranty claims. Putnam's supervisor asks him more through warranty claims. Putnam's supervisor asks him to sign off on the changes anyway. Although there is nothing to sign off on the changes anyway. Although there is nothing to suggest that there is a product safety problem, Putnam to suggest that there is a product safety problem, Putnam raises reliability concerns to his supervisor. raises reliability concerns to his supervisor.

What are Putnam's What are Putnam's professional responsibilitiesprofessional responsibilities in this case? in this case? What are the supervisor's responsibilities? What should What are the supervisor's responsibilities? What should Putnam do?Putnam do?

Case StudyCase Study

Roger Roe, P.E., a principal of a research Roger Roe, P.E., a principal of a research and development company, proposes to and development company, proposes to purchase and distribute pencils to purchase and distribute pencils to present to potential clients. Each pencil present to potential clients. Each pencil will be inscribed: Acme Research & will be inscribed: Acme Research & Development Company Columbia, Development Company Columbia, Mississippi. Mississippi.

Question:Question:– Is the type of advertising stated above Is the type of advertising stated above

permissible under the Code of Ethics?permissible under the Code of Ethics?

Case StudyCase Study Engineer A, a professional engineer with expertise in civil Engineer A, a professional engineer with expertise in civil

engineering, served as a Civilian Building and Grounds Division engineering, served as a Civilian Building and Grounds Division Chief at a U.S. Army installation. An Army official requests that Chief at a U.S. Army installation. An Army official requests that Engineer A certify that certain arms storage rooms and arms Engineer A certify that certain arms storage rooms and arms storage racks on the military installation are in accordance with storage racks on the military installation are in accordance with certain specific, lengthy, and detailed Army physical security, certain specific, lengthy, and detailed Army physical security, arms, ammunition, and explosive regulations, which are cross-arms, ammunition, and explosive regulations, which are cross-referenced with other Army regulations. Engineer A has read referenced with other Army regulations. Engineer A has read the Army regulations but has no significant training or the Army regulations but has no significant training or knowledge in these areas. There are comprehensive training knowledge in these areas. There are comprehensive training programs available for this type of work, but training funds are programs available for this type of work, but training funds are not available within the company. not available within the company.

Question:Question:– Would it be appropriate for Engineer A to certify as a qualified Would it be appropriate for Engineer A to certify as a qualified

engineer the arms storage rooms and arms storage racks as engineer the arms storage rooms and arms storage racks as requested by the Army official?requested by the Army official?

Case StudiesCase Studies

Can a firm competing for a project take Can a firm competing for a project take credit for a previous project, when the credit for a previous project, when the project manager and the key personnel project manager and the key personnel are no longer in its employ? What should are no longer in its employ? What should be done?be done?

Case StudiesCase Studies

You have just started working for a new You have just started working for a new company when you boss asks you for company when you boss asks you for information on your work conducted by information on your work conducted by a previous employer which is under a a previous employer which is under a secrecy agreement associated with your secrecy agreement associated with your departure from that company. Your departure from that company. Your boss suggests that there is nothing boss suggests that there is nothing sacred about such information and that sacred about such information and that sharing it would make you more sharing it would make you more valuable to the firm. What do you do?valuable to the firm. What do you do?

Case StudiesCase Studies

An engineer under your An engineer under your supervision, in writing a final supervision, in writing a final report for a client, plagiarizes his report for a client, plagiarizes his own work that was done for own work that was done for another client under confidential another client under confidential contract. What should you do? contract. What should you do?

Case Study - cont.dCase Study - cont.d You are auditing a facility as a private consultant. You are auditing a facility as a private consultant.

In reviewing production records you learn that In reviewing production records you learn that the plant operates substantially beyond its permit the plant operates substantially beyond its permit limits, emitting as much as 50 to 70% more limits, emitting as much as 50 to 70% more pollutants than allowed. However, when you pollutants than allowed. However, when you were performing your official audit the plant was were performing your official audit the plant was running within the permit limits. When you point running within the permit limits. When you point out the over pollution to the plant manager, he out the over pollution to the plant manager, he offers you a bonus to ignore this in your report. offers you a bonus to ignore this in your report. You and your spouse have just had twins and You and your spouse have just had twins and could use some extra money. What do you do?could use some extra money. What do you do?

Case StudiesCase Studies

Your company is to build a new plant Your company is to build a new plant in (pick a 3rd world country). You are in (pick a 3rd world country). You are in charge of the project. To get the in charge of the project. To get the permit to operate you have to get permit to operate you have to get government approval and the government approval and the government minister is asking for government minister is asking for cash to make the decision on your cash to make the decision on your permit. What is your response to the permit. What is your response to the minister?minister?

Shuttle ChallengerShuttle Challenger

Pre launch DelaysPre launch Delays ChallengerChallenger's launch was originally set for 's launch was originally set for

2:43pm EST on 2:43pm EST on January 22January 22 – Delay with previous Mission pushed it back to Delay with previous Mission pushed it back to

Jan24Jan24– Bad weather at abort landing site pushed it Bad weather at abort landing site pushed it

back to Jan 25.back to Jan 25.– Bad weather in Florida pushed it back to Jan Bad weather in Florida pushed it back to Jan

2727– Problems with Hatch bolts and weather at Problems with Hatch bolts and weather at

abort landing site pushed it back to early abort landing site pushed it back to early morning of Jan 28.morning of Jan 28.

– Overnight the temperature was in the 20-25 Overnight the temperature was in the 20-25 F range.F range.

O’ring Failure at T+0.6 sO’ring Failure at T+0.6 s

Challenger DisasterChallenger Disaster

O-Ring DataO-Ring Data Seal Failure Data from 1985 Seal Failure Data from 1985

– 0.280 in. thick0.280 in. thick 1-2 s for 75F1-2 s for 75F >10 min for 50F>10 min for 50F

– 0.295 in. thick0.295 in. thick 1-2 s for 50F1-2 s for 50F

– (done at 2 in./min vibration rate, shuttle (done at 2 in./min vibration rate, shuttle experiences 3.2 in./min. vibration rate)experiences 3.2 in./min. vibration rate)

One cold flight showed O-ring erosionOne cold flight showed O-ring erosion– Primary-1.3 in. lengthPrimary-1.3 in. length– Secondary-0.171 in. lengthSecondary-0.171 in. length

Roger BoisjolyRoger Boisjoly The matter was discussed with Morton Thiokol The matter was discussed with Morton Thiokol

management - who agreed that the issue was management - who agreed that the issue was serious enough to recommend delaying the serious enough to recommend delaying the flight. They arranged a telephone conference flight. They arranged a telephone conference with with NASANASA management and gave their management and gave their findings. However, after a while, the Morton findings. However, after a while, the Morton Thiokol managers asked for a few minutes off Thiokol managers asked for a few minutes off the phone to discuss their final position again. the phone to discuss their final position again. Despite the efforts of Boisjoly and others in this Despite the efforts of Boisjoly and others in this off-air briefing, the Morton Thiokol managers off-air briefing, the Morton Thiokol managers decided to advise NASA that their data was decided to advise NASA that their data was inconclusive. NASA asked if there were inconclusive. NASA asked if there were objections. Hearing none, the decision to fly the objections. Hearing none, the decision to fly the ill-fated ill-fated STS-51LSTS-51L ChallengerChallenger mission was made. mission was made.

Contributing IssuesContributing Issues

First Teacher in SpaceFirst Teacher in Space Conversation with Shuttle Conversation with Shuttle

Astronauts in State of the Union Astronauts in State of the Union AddressAddress

NASA budget under pressureNASA budget under pressure Morton Thiokol contract up for Morton Thiokol contract up for

renewalrenewal

Roger Boisjoly argues that the Roger Boisjoly argues that the caucus called by Morton Thiokol caucus called by Morton Thiokol managers, which resulted in a managers, which resulted in a recommendation to launch, recommendation to launch, "constituted the unethical "constituted the unethical decision-making forum resulting decision-making forum resulting from intense customer from intense customer intimidation."intimidation."[[