The Engineers Australia National Congress has adopted a new code of Ethics and Guidelines on Professional conduct. IPWEA does not have its own code. In the absence of any other guidelines IPWEAvic Board suggest the use of this code as IPWEA is affiliated with Engineers Australia.
The Code
In the course of engineering practice we will:
1. Demonstrate integrity
1.1 Act on the basis of a well-informed conscience
1.2 Be honest and trustworthy
1.3 Respect the dignity of all persons
2. Practise competently
2.1 Maintain and develop knowledge and skills
2.2 Represent areas of competence objectively
2.3 Act on the basis of adequate knowledge
3. Exercise leadership
3.1 Uphold the reputation and trustworthiness of the practice of engineering
3.2 Support and encourage diversity
3.3 Communicate honestly and effectively, taking into account the reliance of others on engineering expertise
4. Promote sustainability
4.1 Engage responsibly with the community and other stakeholders
4.2 Practise engineering to foster the health, safety and wellbeing of the community and the environment
4.3 Balance the needs of the present with the needs of future generations
Guidelines on Professional Conduct
The Guidelines on Professional Conduct provide a framework for members of Engineers Australia to use when exercising their judgment in the practice of engineering. The Guidelines are not intended to be, nor should they be interpreted as, a full or exhaustive list of the situations and circumstances which may comprise compliance and non compliance with the Code of Ethics. If called upon to do so, members are expected to justify any departure from both the provisions and spirit of the Code. Ethical engineering practice requires judgment, interpretation and balanced decision-making in context. Engineers Australia recognises that, while our ethical values and principles are enduring, standards of acceptable conduct are not permanently fixed. Community standards and the requirements and aspirations of engineering practice will develop and change over time. Within limits, what constitutes acceptable conduct may also depend on the nature of individual circumstances. Allegations of non-compliance will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and administered in accordance with the disciplinary regulations.
1 Demonstrate integrity
1.1 Act on the basis of a well-informed conscience
a) be discerning and do what you think is right
b) act impartially and objectively
c) act appropriately, and in a professional manner, when you perceive something to be wrong
d) comply with all legal, contractual and employment obligations
1.2 Be honest and trustworthy
a) accept, as well as give, honest and fair criticism
b) be prepared to explain your work and reasoning
c) give proper credit to those to whom proper credit is due
d) in managing perceived conflicts of interest, ensure that those conflicts are disclosed to relevant parties
e) respect confidentiality obligations, express or implied
f) do not engage in fraudulent, corrupt, or criminal conduct
1.3 Respect the dignity of all persons
a) treat others with courtesy and without discrimination or harassment
b) apply knowledge and skills without bias in respect of race, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital or family status, national origin, or mental or physical handicaps
2 Practise competently
2.1 Maintain and develop knowledge and skills
a) continue to develop relevant knowledge and expertise
b) act in a careful and diligent manner
c) seek peer review
d) support the ongoing development of others
2.2 Represent areas of competence objectively
a) practise within areas of competence
b) neither falsify nor misrepresent qualifications, grades of membership, experience or prior responsibilities
2.3 Act on the basis of adequate knowledge
a) practise in accordance with legal and statutory requirements, and with the commonly accepted standards of the day
b) inform employers or clients if a task requires qualifications and experience outside your areas of competence
3 Exercise leadership
3.1 Uphold the reputation and trustworthiness of the practice of engineering
a) advocate and support the extension of ethical practice
b) engage responsibly in public debate and deliberation
3.2 Support and encourage diversity
a) select, and provide opportunities for, all engineering practitioners on the basis of merit
b) promote diversity in engineering leadership
3.3 Communicate honestly and effectively, taking into account the reliance of others on engineering expertise
a) provide clear and timely communications on issues such as engineering services, costs, outcomes and risks
4 Promote sustainability
4.1 Engage responsibly with the community and other stakeholders
a) be sensitive to public concerns
b) inform employers or clients of the likely consequences of proposed activities on the community and the environment
4.2 Practise engineering to foster the health, safety and wellbeing of the community and the environment
a) incorporate social, cultural, health, safety, environmental and economic considerations into the engineering task
4.3 Balance the needs of the present with the needs of future generations
a) in identifying sustainable outcomes consider all options in terms of their economic, environmental and social consequences
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