Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 2
ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
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ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
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Subject: Engineering
Class: SHS 2
Term: 1st Term
Week: 20
Grade code: 2.1.3.LI.2
Strand code: 1
Sub-strand code: 3
Content standard code: 2.1.3.CS.1
Indicator code: 2.1.3.LI.2
Theme: ENGINEERING PRACTICE
Subtheme: ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
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This lesson introduces the concept of professional behaviour in engineering. In Ghana, we see the results of engineering every day – from the roads we travel on and the buildings we live in, to the electricity that powers our homes and the mobile networks we use. The quality and safety of these systems depend entirely on the professionalism of the engineers behind them. Understanding professional behaviour is not just an academic exercise; it is the foundation for becoming a trustworthy, respected, and successful engineer who contributes positively to our nation's development and protects public safety.
What is a "Professional"? Before we can understand professional behaviour, we must first understand what a "professional" is. A professional is not just someone who gets paid for a job. A professional is an individual who has: Specialised Knowledge and Skills: They have undergone extensive training and education in a specific field (e.g., civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering). A Commitment to Public Service: Their work impacts society, and they have a duty to serve the public's best interest. Accountability: They are held to a high standard by the public and professional bodies (like the Ghana Institution of Engineering, GhIE). Defining Professional Behaviour Professional Behaviour is the set of standards, attitudes, and actions that are expected of an individual in a professional role. It's about *how* you conduct yourself at work. It goes beyond just having technical skills; it is the outward expression of your competence, your integrity, and your respect for others.
Think of it this way: a brilliant engineer who has all the technical knowledge but is always late, rude to clients, and uses cheap materials to cut costs is not a true professional. Professional behaviour is the complete package. The Pillars of Professional Behaviour in Engineering
We can break down professional behaviour into several key pillars or characteristics. Competence and Diligence: Explanation: This means having the necessary technical skills and knowledge to do the job correctly and continuously learning to stay updated. It also means being careful, thorough, and applying your skills diligently. Ghanaian Example: An engineer designing a drainage system for a flood-prone area in Accra must use the correct calculations for water flow and specify the right materials. Simply guessing or copying an old design without checking if it's suitable is not competent. Integrity and Honesty: Explanation: This is about being truthful and morally upright. It means not deceiving clients, not accepting bribes, not cutting corners, and admitting when you've made a mistake. Ghanaian Example: A site engineer is offered money by a contractor to approve the use of inferior iron rods for the foundation of a new SHS classroom block. A professional with integrity would refuse the bribe and insist on the specified, high-quality materials, knowing that the safety of students is at stake. Responsibility and Accountability: Explanation: This means taking ownership of your work, your decisions, and their outcomes. If a project succeeds, you share the credit. If it fails, you don't blame others; you take responsibility for your part and work to fix the problem. Ghanaian Example: If a newly constructed road develops potholes after just one rainy season, the responsible project engineer should not blame the weather. They should be accountable, investigate the cause (e.g., poor asphalt mix, inadequate compaction), and propose a solution. Respect for Colleagues, Clients, and the Public: Explanation: This involves treating everyone you interact with in your professional life with courtesy. It includes listening to others' opinions, communicating clearly and politely, and valuing diversity. Ghanaian Example: A female engineering intern proposes an innovative idea at a team meeting. A respectful senior engineer listens attentively, provides constructive feedback, and gives her credit for the idea, rather than dismissing her because of her age or gender. Punctuality and Reliability: Explanation: Being on time for meetings and appointments, and meeting project deadlines. Reliability means that your colleagues and clients can count on you to do what you say you will do. Ghanaian Example: An electrical engineer from ECG promises a community that their faulty transformer will be repaired by Friday. To be reliable, the engineer must ensure the team has the parts and manpower to meet that deadline, and communicate any unavoidable delays proactively. Maintaining Public Safety (Paramountcy Principle): Explanation: This is often considered the highest principle in engineering. An engineer’s primary duty is to protect the safety, health, and welfare of the public. All other considerations (cost, schedule, client wishes) are secondary. Ghanaian Example: An engineer reviewing the structural plans for a new shopping mall in Kumasi notices a flaw that could make the building unsafe during strong winds. Even if the client wants to build quickly and cheaply, the engineer's professional duty is to refuse to approve the plans until the safety issue is corrected. This is the principle that prevents disasters like building collapses. Professional vs. Unprofessional Behaviour
| Professional Behaviour (Ethical) | Unprofessional Behaviour (Unethical) | | ---------------------------------- | ------------------------------------ | | Using high-quality, specified materials. | Substituting cheaper, substandard materials. | | Double-checking calculations for safety. | Rushing work and making careless mistakes. | | Meeting deadlines and being on time. | Constantly being late and missing deadlines. | | Admitting a mistake and correcting it. | Blaming others or hiding errors. | | Respectfully listening to a client's concerns. | Being arrogant and dismissive of others. | | Refusing a bribe. | Accepting "gifts" in exchange for favours. | | Protecting confidential client information. | Gossiping about a client's project. |