Abstract
There is a perception in the construction industry that the majority of building related issues originate from engineers, architects, and contractors. The limitless value of human life requires the highest moral consideration from construction professionals such as engineers, architects, and contractors tasked with the construction of buildings and designing professions. In the construction industries, ethical and legal responsibilities have been developed both at the organizational and professional levels. If, at any time, the social welfare has been compromised, the engineers should consider both their legal and ethical responsibilities on a construction project. However, professionals in construction industries tend to think that the interests of clients prevail over their social responsibility. This essay concludes that ethical and legal responsibilities by an engineer are a pre-requisite to the achievement of sustainable and acceptable quality in the construction industry.
Introduction
The construction industry is the largest sector globally, with increasingly more complicated projects. Therefore, engineering emerges as a crucial occupation in the construction industry. Projects are getting more technical, requiring more capital investment, specialized people, and high technology of building. The employment of substantial capital investments makes the industry susceptible to dilemmas of ethical practices in regards to ethical guidelines to conform to besides utilizing skills and knowledge in a reasonable and competent manner. Engineers must follow and act according to the engineering code of ethics, exhibiting honesty, and integrity (Kozak 2013). However, builders, designers, contractors, and importantly engineers have the fundamental right of professional conscience due to the impacts and consequences of poor designs and constructions.
Ethical and Legal responsibilities
Ethical and legal responsibilities are essential components in the construction industry. They form the basis of a good construction process that leads to a quality project. Ethics illustrate the standards of guiding behaviors and conducts (Kozak, 2013). Ethical behavior is measured by the level of integrity and trustworthiness of an individual or a professional. The professionals working in the construction can demonstrate ethical practices and responsibilities at various capacities as they conduct their duties. Foremost, engineers must uphold integrity, ensuring that a project is safe (Kozak 2013). This entails safeguarding the workers, clients, and people involved from any injury resultant from poor structures. The production of workers depends on the working conditions; thus, contractors and engineers must ensure that workers are working in good and safe conditions in regard to structural stability. Workers should also be rewarded fairly according to their level of experience and the capacity of production. Also, the professional must ensure that a client receives a quality project without concealing defects. In some instances, defects have resulted in the collapse of building such as the Rana Plaza in Bangladesh, killing people (Gavin and Lin 2015). Finally, engineers must act towards environmental sustainability, offering advice to Contractors in regards to dumping hazardous waste in normal garbage sites, vacant lots, and stormwater drains. Conclusively, ethical responsibilities are essential, as illustrated by the consequences of poor ethical practices and the necessity to ensure sustainability in construction.
Changes in the traditional role of designers substituting them with contractors have contributed to the variation of legal responsibilities. Engineers have to sign contract documents that lay the outline and the specifications of the entire project (Hughes et al. 2015). Also, ensure the Building codes of conduct are followed. Contracts documents are legal and bidding documents signed by the parties involved. This includes requirements for sources of the source of supplies and the framework for constructing the building. Therefore, it necessitates engineers to maintain quality requirements and specifications as per signed contracts. Engineers should not take bribes to conceal, accept, and approve works of poor standard. They should be ready to spot any defect and reveal the facts disregarding their interest. According to Rubya (2014), engineers and contractors working on Rana Plaza had bribed the local officials influencing the integrity of enginee. Moreover, engineers are required to be honest in advising, guiding and purchasing of construction materials. This involves purchasing standard materials that conform to the project specifications besides not omitting items. According to Timmons, (2020) In the collapse of a Taiwan building, evidence indicated a substitution of concrete with oil cans to reduce the construction costs. This had an overall consequence of building breakdown besides confronting human wellbeing majorly inform of deaths. Furthermore, engineers should visit building sites where a construction is to be erected and consider the necessary adjustments required in the structural plan and drawing. Legal responsibility is about being honest and fair in all your dealings as per the contractual terms laid out. This means not compromising the quality of the projects alongside the safety of the workers.
Conclusion
The engineering profession in the construction industry plays a crucial role in ensuring quality constructions and projects besides maintaining sustainability. To achieve optimal benefits from their professions, engineers must ensure that good ethical and legal responsibilities are maintained. In dispensing their duties, engineers must show impartiality, honesty and equity. Moral obligations ensure that health, safety and the wellbeing of the society is maintained. Also, engineers work in the areas of experience only and effectively disregarding deceptive actions to safeguard their interests. Further, engineers will act as their clients and society trustee by ensuring contractual terms are followed to the latter.
References
Gavin, M. and Lin, T.H., 2015. Rana Plaza Structural and Ethical Failure.
Hughes, W., Champion, R. and Murdoch, J., 2015. Construction contracts: law and management. Routledge
Kozak, K., 2013. Subject Guides: Engineering Ethics: Introduction.
Rubya, T., 2014. The Ready-Made Garment Industry: An Analysis of Bangladesh’s Labor LawProvisions after the Savar Tragedy. Brook. J. Int’l L., 40, p.685.
Timmons, H., 2020. Empty Paint Cans Were Used As Construction Material In A Collapsed Taiwan Building. [online] Quartz. Available at: <https://qz.com/611855/empty-paint-cans-were-used-as-construction-material-in-a-collapsed-taiwan-building/> [Accessed 21 November 2020].