As a professional engineer, my foremost duty is to ensure the safety, health, and welfare of the public. If management asks me to certify equipment that I know to be unsafe, I must act according to the BEM Code of Professional Conduct — which clearly states that a Professional Engineer shall not approve or certify any work that is known to be defective, unsafe, or non-compliant with relevant standards or regulations.
The first step I would take is to conduct a thorough engineering assessment of the equipment to verify the facts. I would document the technical condition, identify the safety non-conformities, and refer to the applicable design codes such as ASME, API, or DOSH regulations. My decision must always be based on engineering evidence, not assumption or personal opinion.
If the assessment confirms that the equipment is indeed unsafe, I would formally communicate my findings to management in writing, stating clearly the risks involved, potential consequences, and the corrective actions required to restore safety compliance. This documentation serves to protect both the organization and myself as the responsible engineer.
If management insists that I proceed with certification despite the known safety risks, I would refuse to sign or approve the document. Certifying unsafe equipment would violate the law, endanger lives, and breach my ethical duty under the Registration of Engineers Act 1967. My professional responsibility to the public and to BEM must always take precedence over organizational pressure.
At the same time, I would try to handle the matter diplomatically — by proposing alternative solutions, such as temporary isolation, repairs, re-inspection, or third-party verification by an authorized competent body (such as DOSH or an external PE). This approach maintains professionalism and shows that my decision is not based on confrontation, but on safety and compliance.
In conclusion, a Professional Engineer must never compromise safety for convenience or cost. Upholding ethics means having the courage to say “no” when safety is at stake. By maintaining integrity, transparency, and adherence to standards, we not only protect lives and property but also preserve the trust and credibility of the engineering profession.
#ProfessionalEngineer #SteamEngineer #engineer #usm #blog #blogger #KembaraInsan
No comments:
Post a Comment