UNINVOLVED PROFESSIONALS AND TECHNICAL DISASTERS

Although engineers usually labor anonymously as "their brother's keeper," a survey on whistleblowing showed that 40% of practicing engineers preferred not to get involved when they saw questionable practices that might endanger public safety. Insulating themselves from such incidents when they are afraid that their professional judgement might be overruled, or failing to participate in legislative processes when technological missions are formulated, can initiate technical disasters. A number of omissions in professional behavior that have led to such catastrophies are cited, and remedies are suggested to minimize them in the future. Recommendations involve 6-yr practice-oriented engineering curricula, dual individual membership in national societies and a global unity organization, courts of professional opinion to preclude nontechnical interference, a change of the spelling of engineer to make uniform worldwide, development of professional esprit de corps, and selection of Anonymous as the symbolic patron for the anonymous service engineers perform for all mankind.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/07339380
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  345 East 47th Street
  New York, NY  United States  10017-2398
• Authors:
  • Pletta, D H
• Publication Date: 1987-1

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 23-31
• Serial:
  • Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering
  • Volume: 113
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 0733-9380

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Adjudication; Associations; Curricula; Engineering; Engineers; Ethics; Safety; Schools
• Uncontrolled Terms: Responsibilities; Violations
• Old TRIS Terms: Engineering schools
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Education and Training; Highways; Law; Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; I10: Economics and Administration;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00462970
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: ASCE Paper 21154
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 28 2004 4:48AM