CIVIL ENGINEERING LAWS, ETHICS AND CONTRACTS

CIVIL ENGINEERING LAWS, ETHICS AND CONTRACTS

BASIC DEFINITION OF TERMS
ETHICS: a set of standards by which a particular group decides to regulate its behavior. It is a system of
moral principles by which human actions and proposals may be judged as good or bad PROFESSION:
consists of a group of people organized to serve a body of specialized knowledge in the interests of a
society. At the center of a profession is a set of skills, proficiencies, techniques and competencies
involving a line of work.

CODE OF ETHICS: As a set of principles that serve to guide the professionals in their daily work. It is
more than a minimum standard of conduct and requires that the professionals to who the codes are
aimed engage with them and develop a personal position/stand, which they can defend in terms of code
of ethics. Code of Ethics or Code of Conduct serves to maintain the integrity of the profession so that its
members serve “society’s best interests.” It also specifies the moral considerations of professional life as
well as penalties and sanctions for violating them.
Codes of Ethics are not stand-alone guarantee of ethical conduct or substitute for an individual
conscience but are established as a guide for professionals in ethical dilemmas. Scientists and engineers
should develop and justify their own views and moral position within the context of their relevant code.

ENGINEERS: The profession in which the knowledge of the mathematical and physical sciences gained
by study, experience and practice with judgment to develop ways to utilize economics, materials and
forces of nature for the progressive well-being of human kind.

CIVIL ENGINEERING CODE OF ETHICS

Fundamental Principles
Civil engineers uphold and advance the integrity, honor and dignity of the civil engineering profession by:
1. Using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of human welfare and the environment;
2. Being honest and impartial and serving and fidelity the public, their employers/employees and
clients;
3. Striving to increase the competence and prestige of the civil engineering profession; and
4. Supporting the professional and technical societies of their disciplines
Fundamental Canons
1. Civil Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public and shall strive
to comply with the principles of sustainable development in the performance of their duties.
2. Civil Engineers shall perform services only in the areas of their competence.
3. Civil Engineers shall issue public statement only in an objective and truthful manner.
4. Civil Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents or
trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of interest.
5. Civil Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their services and shall not
compete unfairly with others.
 6. Civil Engineers shall act in such manner as to uphold and enhance the honor, integrity, and
dignity of the civil engineering profession.
7. Civil Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their careers, and shall
provide opportunities for the professional development of those civil engineers under their
supervision.

GUIDELINES TO PRACTICE UNDER THE FUNDAMENTAL CANONS OF ETHICS

CANON 1. Civil Engineering shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public and
shall strive to comply with the principles of sustainable development in the performance of their
professional duties.
a. Civil Engineers shall recognize that the lives, safety, health and welfare of the general public
are dependent upon engineering judgements, decisions and practices incorporated into
structures, machine, products, processes and devices.
b. Civil Engineers shall approve or seal only those design documents, reviewed or prepared by
them, which are determined to be safe for public health and welfare in conformity with
accepted engineering standards.
c. Civil Engineers whose professional judgement is overruled under circumstances where the
safety, health and welfare of the public are endangered, or the principles of sustainable
development ignored, shall inform their clients or employers of the possible consequences.
d. Civil Engineers who have knowledge or reason to believe that another person or firm may be
in violation of any of the provisions of Canon 1 shall present such information to the proper
authority in writing and shall cooperate with the proper authority in furnishing such further
information or assistance as may be required.
e. Civil Engineers should seek opportunities to be of constructive service in civic affairs and
work for the advancement of the safety, health and well-being of their communities, and their
protection of the environment through the practice of sustainable development.
f. Civil Engineers should be committed to improving the environment by adherence to the
principles of sustainable development so as to enhance the quality of life of the general
public.

CANON 2. Civil Engineers shall perform services only in areas of their competence.
a. Civil Engineers shall undertake to perform engineering assignment only when qualified by
education or experience in the technical field of engineering involved.
b. Civil Engineers may accept an assignment requiring education or experience outside of their
own fields of competence, provided their services are restricted to those phases of the
project in which they are qualified. All other phases of such project shall be performed by
qualified associates, consultants, or employees.
c. Civil Engineers shall not affix their signatures or seals to any civil engineering plan or
document dealing with subject matter in which they lack competence by virtue of education or
experience or to any such plan or document not reviewed or prepared under their supervision
and control.
 d. Civil Engineers shall not use The Specialty Engineering Title such as Structure Engineer,
Transportation Engineer, Water Engineer, Geotechnical Engineer, Construction Engineer,
etc. without the PICE Specialist Accreditation.
CANON 3. Civil Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
a. Civil Engineers should endeavor to extend the public knowledge of civil engineering and
sustainable development, and shall not participate in the dissemination of untrue, unfair or
exaggerated statements regarding civil engineering.
b. Civil Engineers shall be objective and truthful in professional reports, statements or
testimony. They shall include or relevant and pertinent information in such reports,
statements, or testimony.
c. Civil Engineers, when serving as expert witnesses, shall express civil engineering opinion
only witnesses, shall express civil engineering opinion only when it is founded upon adequate
knowledge of the facts, upon a background of technical competence, and upon honest
conviction.
d. Civil Engineers shall issue no statements, criticisms, or arguments on civil engineering
matters which are inspired or paid for by interested parties, unless they indicate on whose
behalf the statements are made.
e. Civil Engineers shall be dignified and modest in explaining their work and merit, and will
avoid any act tending to promote their own interests at the expense of the integrity, honor and
dignity of the civil engineering profession and/or related professions.
CANON 4. Civil Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employers or clients as faithful
agents or trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of interest.
a. Civil Engineers shall avoid all known or potential conflicts of interest with their employers or
clients and shall promptly inform their employers or clients of any business associations,

interest, or circumstances which could influence their judgement or the quality of their
services.
b. Civil Engineers shall not accept compensation from more than one party for services on the
same project, or for services pertaining to the same project, unless the circumstances are
fully disclosed to and agreed to, by all interested projects.
c. Civil Engineers shall not solicit or accept gratuities, directly or indirectly, from contractors,
their agents, or other parties dealing with their clients or employers in connection with work
for which they are responsible.
d. Civil Engineers in public services as members, advisors or employees of a governmental
body or department shall not participate in consideration or actions with respect to services
solicited or provided by them or their organization in private or public engineering practice.
e. Civil Engineers shall advise their employers or clients when, as a result of their studies, they
believe a project will not be successful.
f. Civil Engineers shall not use confidential information coming to them in the course of their
assignments as a means of making a personal profit if such action is adverse to the interest
of their clients, employers or the public.
 g. Civil Engineers shall not accept professional employment outside of their regular work of
interest without the knowledge of their employers.
CANON 5. Civil Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their services and shall
not compete unfairly with others.