Safety of the Public By: Sarah Finkle, George Berry, Jon Castoro, Matt Parkhurst

Disaster in Kansas City Walkway of Kansas City Hyatt Regency Hotel collapsed killing 114 people and injuring Walkway of Kansas City Hyatt Regency Hotel collapsed killing 114 people and injuring 186 Two serious design flaws Two serious design flaws –The use of two steel channels holding the nut without having a bearing plate was against Kansas City Building codes. –The nuts were now carrying the weight of the fourth- floor and the second-story walkway

Who is to blame? The architect? Or the engineer? The architect? Or the engineer? Engineers must outline “reasonable care and competence” Engineers must outline “reasonable care and competence” Donald Douncan career was ruined by taking the responsibility of the tragedy. Donald Douncan career was ruined by taking the responsibility of the tragedy. This is what engineers are paid to do. This is what engineers are paid to do.

Options To keep the problem in the dark or sacrifice his career. To keep the problem in the dark or sacrifice his career. Do nothing and hope for the best. Do nothing and hope for the best. Alternative is to blow the whistle on the project. Alternative is to blow the whistle on the project. Inform the boss or an outside source. Inform the boss or an outside source.

Ethically Right for Me? What are the costs to be ethical? What are the costs to be ethical? Ethics argue the limit in how much we should sacrifice. Ethics argue the limit in how much we should sacrifice. He has a lot to sacrifice He has a lot to sacrifice –Most likely he will get fired and have a difficult time finding a new job. –This is his life work and have a heavy price to pay.

Trusting the Experts Joe – Not an engineer but believes everything that they tell him Joe – Not an engineer but believes everything that they tell him Receives conflicting advice Receives conflicting advice Sarah disagrees with Chris and doesn’t believe that the overhang is unsafe Sarah disagrees with Chris and doesn’t believe that the overhang is unsafe Joe has no reason to prefer Chris’ view to Sarah’s Joe has no reason to prefer Chris’ view to Sarah’s

Deception II Design mistakes withheld from Timmo Design mistakes withheld from Timmo No risk/cost to Timmo…Obligation to inform them? No risk/cost to Timmo…Obligation to inform them? Withholding information is deception Withholding information is deception Ex: Helen’s Travel Agency advertisement Ex: Helen’s Travel Agency advertisement Misleading is not deception Misleading is not deception Prevent deception by asking the right questions, if possible Prevent deception by asking the right questions, if possible

Confidentiality The firm wants to keep the Asmara Hotel flaws confidential within the firm. The firm wants to keep the Asmara Hotel flaws confidential within the firm. Being a professional, though, confidentiality must sometimes be taken out of account, especially when there are lives at stake. Being a professional, though, confidentiality must sometimes be taken out of account, especially when there are lives at stake. In engineering, clients are protected because reporting threatening information supersedes the confidentiality requirement. In engineering, clients are protected because reporting threatening information supersedes the confidentiality requirement.

6 Stages of Moral Development of Engineers Pre-professional I- Concern only for the individual Pre-professional I- Concern only for the individual Pre-professional II- While the engineer is aware of loyalty to the firm, one is still for self-advancement Pre-professional II- While the engineer is aware of loyalty to the firm, one is still for self-advancement Professional I- Putting loyalty to the firm above any other consideration Professional I- Putting loyalty to the firm above any other consideration Professional II- Keeps loyalty to the firm but recognizes that the firm is part of the engineering profession as a whole Professional II- Keeps loyalty to the firm but recognizes that the firm is part of the engineering profession as a whole Principled Professional I- One recognizes that service to human welfare is paramount and that brings credit to the firm and profession. Principled Professional I- One recognizes that service to human welfare is paramount and that brings credit to the firm and profession. Principled Professional II- One follows rules of universal justice, fairness, and caring for fellow humans. This can contradict social order or professional code but is the most important. Principled Professional II- One follows rules of universal justice, fairness, and caring for fellow humans. This can contradict social order or professional code but is the most important.