Ethics Part 2

IE491 October 31, 2005

Review of Ethics
Last week we looked briefly at the origins of ethics Theories of Ethics (Utilitarianism, Duty Ethics, Rights Ethics, Virtue Ethics) Engineering as a profession Codes of ethics (IIE, NSPE, Order of an Engineer) Ethics cases (e.g., space shuttles)

This week
Show how to analyze problems from an ethical viewpoint.

Analyzing Ethical Problems

1st Step completely understand all issues involved and enumerate them. Three categories of issues

Factual what is actually known about a case. Conceptual the meaning or applicability of an idea. Moral which moral principle is applicable to the situation.

Two analysis techniques

Line Drawing
Flow Charting

Line Drawing
Useful for situations in which the applicable moral principles are clear, but there seems to be a great deal of gray area about which ethical principle applies. Polar opposites are established.

Positive paradigm (example, pattern). Negative paradigm.

Moral problems are placed along line in accordance with where each fall on a continuum. P is placed where you believe problem fits relative to entries.

Elementary line-drawing technique

Negative paradigm (NP) Positive paradigm (PP)

Example - Problem 1
Dispose of slightly hazardous waste into lake. Water source for nearby town. EPA limit 10 ppm. Average concentration of disposal 5 ppm

Expect no health problems. Person not able to detect (taste) compound.

Problem 1 hypothetical considerations

1. Dump 5 ppm waste in lake; harmless, but unusual
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
taste. Towns water-treatment system can effectively remove waste. Town can remove waste with company-purchased equipment. Town can remove waste with taxpayer-purchased equipment. Occasional (rare) illness, lasts for an hour. At 5 ppm people get fairly sick, lasts one week, no long term effect. Special equipment can reduce ppm to 1.

Hypotheticals on line and problem estimate

Negative paradigm (NP) Positive paradigm (PP)

6 5

4 1 P 7 2,3

Flow Charting
Helpful when there is a sequence of events or a series of consequences that flows from each decision. Gives a visual picture and readily allows one to see results of each decision.

Elementary flow chart

Operation

Decision

Example - Problem 2
Should Union Carbide build a plant at Bhophal? Investigate Laws. Safety standards. Cost considerations.

Union Carbide -Flow Chart

Please read
Section 4.5: Conflict Problems

1st - Conflicting moral choices, but one is obviously more significant than the other. 2nd Creative Middle Way, an attempt at a compromise that will work for everyone. 3rd When 1 and 2 dont work, bite the bullet, use your gut feelings and make best possible choice from information available. Bribery never acceptable.

Section 4.6: Bribery/Acceptance of Gifts

Info source
Engineering Ethics, 2nd Edition, Charles B.
Fleddermann, Chapter 4, Pearson Prentice Hall, 2004.

Ethical Problem Solving Techniques: Addressing Airbus 330-300 Case Study

By: Joe Mathew IE 491 University at Buffalo
April 22, 2005

Incident Summary
Airbus A330-300 departed Vancouver Substantial amount of smoke and vapor seen emitting from Engine 2 Emergency landing in Vancouver Engine 2 shut down Inspection showed fuel was leaking

Causal Factors
1. Incorrect entry on maintenance office duty board Did not follow trouble shooting manual (TSM) Unnecessarily removed LP fuel line from fuel/oil heat exchanger 2. Unfamiliarity with Equipment Retainer hidden from view Did not use Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) 3. Engine vibration caused detachment of fuel/oil heat exchanger LP fuel line Substantial leak from Engine 2

Line Drawing Causal Factor 1, 2

Negative Paradigm Positive Paradigm

Compliance with TSM and AMM was not achieved.

Compliance with TSM and AMM was achieved.

Negative Paradigm: The workers do not follow the Trouble Shooting Manual and the Aircraft Maintenance Manual resulting in troubleshooting and performing maintenance without reference Positive Paradigm: The workers followed the Trouble Shooting Manual and Aircraft Maintenance Manual so that all troubleshooting and maintenance is performed with proper reference and guidance.

Flow Charting Causal Factor 3

Preventive fuel leak inspection needed on aircraft Proper inspection with use of elevated platform? Yes High-Power Engine Run Performed? Yes Yes Fuel Leak Detection Implemented?

No

No Perform High-Power Engine Run

No Implement Fuel Leak Detection

Perform inspection with use of elevated platform

Preventive Fuel Leak Inspection Performed

Dharmy Bhatt IE 491: Ethics Presentation April 22, 2005

Bells Amusement Park Tulsa, Oklahoma

Accident Summary
April 20, 1997 Two roller coaster cars collided on the Wildcat roller coaster The two cars were going up a hill and an antirollback device failed to keep the first car on the track and it slipped back and crashed into the car behind it. The roller coaster was inspected two weeks before this accident. One person was killed and five others were injured.

Causal Factors
1. The chain dog was riding up on the edge of the chain trough.

2. Maintenance records/maintenance of the roller coaster.

If the chain rides up the side of the car and onto the left leg of the chain near the top of the hill, the chain can disengage and the car could slip.

There was no documentation for scheduled or nonscheduled maintenance of The Wildcat, or for operating procedures.

Flowchart The chain dog Factor

Has the chain dog been changed?

No

The Wildcat can operate.

Yes No
A maintenance worker must inspect the changes.

Has someone inspected the changes?

Yes No
Fix the height of the chain dog and inspect again.

Is the chain log at the proper height?

Yes
The Wildcat can operate properly.

Line Drawing-- Maintenance

Negative Paradigm Positive Paradigm

P 3 Documentation hinders the performance of each car.

Proper documentation exists and the roller coaster is acceptable.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Every time The Wildcat breaks down, it is documented. Operating procedure are followed for the most part. Operators havent been trained at all. Changes made to the car dont need to be written down. Proper part replacements should be followed.

Ethics Problem Solving:

Whiteshell Air Service Ltd. Airplane Engine Failure

Theresa J Moehle IE 491 April 22, 2005

Accident Summary:
Airplane departed Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba without incident After plane was leveled in air, large backfire heard and loss of engine power Pilot landed plane in swampy area with minor and severe injuries to passengers

Casual Factors
Incorrect installation of airplane parts

Cylinder push rod tube Valve adjustment screw protrusion beyond limits Caused damage to valve train exhaust valve would not open overtime Field Barometric Power Reference Check Valve clearance checks on 400-hr schedule

Failure to properly inspect airplane

Line Drawing:
Parts
NP

Incorrect Installation of

PP

1 Airplane parts are installed correctly

Airplane parts are installed incorrectly causing immediate, fatal damage

1. Parts are installed incorrectly, but corrected immediately 2. Parts are installed incorrectly, and cause minor damage overtime 3. Parts are installed incorrectly, but cause no damage overtime

Flow Chart:
Plane

Failure to Properly Inspect

Should plane be inspected?

Have parts been replaced?

No

Had last Has pilot Yes Yes Inspect plane Check within noticed Irregular before flying 400 hrs? Sounds?

Yes
Inspect plane before flying

No
Inspect plane before flying

No
Inspection is not needed

Assignment
Work in group to choose problem and get my permission before you start sources of info on original class schedule and syllabus document. analyze problem using both techniques shown today. present your analysis in class using PPT. send me one copy of your electronic file via e-mail. Due November 28th.

Groups 1 - 4
Group 1 Group 2 Hwang Group 3 Group 4 Mufalli Beh, Brewster, Frankenfield Geldard, Haseley, Henry, Jain, Kapoor, Keum Kingsley, Koperski, Lottes,

Groups 5 - 8
Group 5 Muller, Munch, Oh Group 6 Olsen, Oropeza, Pandit, Patel Group 7 Pelchy, Saputra, Sriniva Group 8 Swanson, Thornton, Ward, Zimmermann Presentation order will be randomly drawn and announced on Nov. 28th.

The End
Questions??