Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 1
ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
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ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Engineering
Class: SHS 1
Term: 1st Term
Week: 16
Grade code: 1.1.3.LI.3
Strand code: 1
Sub-strand code: 3
Content standard code: 1.1.3.CS.1
Indicator code: 1.1.3.LI.3
Theme: ENGINEERING PRACTICE
Subtheme: ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
This page supports the lesson note with a companion video and a short classroom-ready summary.
For class groups and homework, share this lesson page so learners also get the summary, objectives, and full lesson context.
This lesson introduces the fundamental concepts of ethics and professional practice in engineering. In Ghana, we see the results of engineering every day – from the new interchange at Pokuase to the local borehole providing clean water. We also see the tragic consequences when engineering goes wrong, such as building collapses or roads that develop potholes just months after construction. Understanding engineering ethics is not just for professional engineers; it is crucial for us as citizens to recognise good practice and demand accountability.
What is Ethics? Ethics refers to the moral principles that govern a person's behaviour or the conducting of an activity. It's about knowing the difference between right and wrong and choosing to do what is right. Simple Analogy: Think about being in an exam hall. You know that copying from your friend is wrong. The principle that tells you not to cheat is part of your personal ethics. What is Professional Ethics in Engineering? Professional ethics is a set of moral principles and rules of conduct that a person is expected to follow within their profession. For engineers, it's not just about personal morals; it's a specific code of conduct that ensures their work is safe, reliable, and beneficial to society. The Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE) has a code of ethics that all professional engineers in Ghana must follow.
The core principle of engineering ethics is: Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public. Key Pillars of Ethical Engineering Behaviour These are the foundations of good engineering practice. An ethical engineer always strives to: Prioritise Public Safety: The primary duty is to the public. An engineer must ensure their designs, constructions, and projects do not harm people or the environment. Example (Ghanaian Context): An ethical civil engineer will insist on using the correct mixture of cement, sand, and high-tensile iron rods for a multi-storey building in Accra, even if the client wants to cut costs. They know that using substandard materials could lead to a catastrophic collapse, endangering lives. Be Honest and Truthful: Engineers must be truthful in their professional reports, statements, and testimony. They should not falsify data or misrepresent their qualifications. Example: If a soil test for a construction site in a water-logged area like Kasoa shows that the ground is unstable, an ethical engineer must report this accurately. An unethical one might alter the report to please the client and get the project started quickly. Be Competent: Engineers should only undertake tasks they are qualified to perform through education and experience. If a project is outside their area of expertise, they should decline or seek assistance from a qualified expert. Example: A chemical engineer, though brilliant in their field, should not accept a contract to design a major highway bridge. That is the job of a qualified civil or structural engineer. Doing so would be unethical and dangerous. Avoid Conflicts of Interest: A conflict of interest occurs when an engineer's personal interests (e.g., financial gain) could interfere with their professional judgement. They must disclose any potential conflicts to their employer or client. Example: An engineer is hired by the government to supervise a road construction project. If the engineer also owns shares in the company supplying the bitumen (tar), this is a conflict of interest. They might be tempted to approve low-quality bitumen to help their own company make more profit. This is unethical. Protect Confidential Information: Engineers must not reveal facts, data, or information obtained in a professional capacity without the prior consent of the client or employer. Example: An engineer working for MTN should not share details of a new, unreleased network tower technology with a competitor like Vodafone. Respect the Environment: Engineers have a duty to ensure their projects are sustainable and do not cause unnecessary harm to the environment. Example: An engineer designing a factory must include proper waste treatment systems to prevent toxic chemicals from polluting a nearby river like the Densu, which provides water for thousands of people. Releasing untreated waste is highly unethical. Distinguishing Ethical vs. Unethical Behaviours (Concept Web/T-Chart)
*(This part can be done on the board as a "Talk for Learning" activity, summarising learners' points)*
| Ethical Behaviours (Doing the Right Thing) | Unethical Behaviours (Doing the Wrong Thing) | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Using high-quality, specified materials. | Substituting specified materials with cheaper, substandard ones. | | Reporting safety concerns to superiors or authorities. | Ignoring or concealing safety risks to avoid project delays. | | Giving credit to colleagues for their work. | Taking credit for someone else's design or idea. | | Charging a fair and transparent fee for services. | Inflating project costs to receive a 'kickback' (bribe). | | Performing thorough calculations and checks on all designs. | Signing off on designs and plans without proper review. | | Disclosing a conflict of interest to a client. | Hiding a personal financial stake in a project's supplier. | | Ensuring proper disposal of construction and industrial waste. | Dumping waste illegally to save money, thereby polluting the environment. |