Hold ParamountFactors of SafetyEngineering TriumphsPowerPoint PresentationAcceptable RiskSlide 6Decision Making: Technical and Ethical AspectsConsulting with ColleaguesHold ParamountHold ParamountBy Meredith Davies, Kailly By Meredith Davies, Kailly Vay, Maria Hatgipetros, and Vay, Maria Hatgipetros, and Colleen KaneColleen KaneFactors of SafetyFactors of SafetyBuildings have high factors of safety Buildings have high factors of safety (2.0)(2.0)Air frames for airplanes have love Air frames for airplanes have love factors of safety (1.2)factors of safety (1.2)The Asmara overhang The Asmara overhang mightmight have a have a factor of safety less that is less than onefactor of safety less that is less than oneWhat should Chris do?What should Chris do?Engineering TriumphsEngineering TriumphsPyramids and Aqueducts in RomePyramids and Aqueducts in RomeSt. Petersburg in RussiaSt. Petersburg in RussiaThe Brooklyn Bridge in New YorkThe Brooklyn Bridge in New York(John, Washington and Emily Robeling)(John, Washington and Emily Robeling)Engineering FailuresEngineering FailuresDue to errors in calculation or fabricationDue to errors in calculation or fabricationDue to not anticipating all the ways it Due to not anticipating all the ways it could failcould failDue to not all side effects being predictedDue to not all side effects being predictedEngineers As ManagersEngineers As ManagersDoes duty to employer over ride duty to Does duty to employer over ride duty to the publicthe public- Explosion of the Challenger- Explosion of the ChallengerGive benefit of doubt to safety sideGive benefit of doubt to safety side““Normalization of Deviance”Normalization of Deviance”Acceptable RiskAcceptable RiskAt what point do we accept the risk and At what point do we accept the risk and say that we cannot design the structure say that we cannot design the structure any stronger or safer?any stronger or safer?Design is a repetitive processDesign is a repetitive process–Structure is postulatedStructure is postulated–Loads are estimatedLoads are estimated–Effects of loads are calculated using Effects of loads are calculated using mathematical principles and well-tested mathematical principles and well-tested equationsequationsExample of Citicorp buildingExample of Citicorp buildingAcceptable RiskAcceptable RiskEngineers cannot produce anything Engineers cannot produce anything that is completely risk freethat is completely risk freeEngineers are obligated to the public Engineers are obligated to the public to not subject them to risk levels to not subject them to risk levels above that which is commonly above that which is commonly expected expectedDecision Making: Technical and Decision Making: Technical and Ethical AspectsEthical AspectsTechnical questions-Technical questions- how to achieve the goal how to achieve the goal by the most effective and efficient meansby the most effective and efficient meansGenerally an agreed upon “right” answerGenerally an agreed upon “right” answerState-of-the-art answer existsState-of-the-art answer existsEthical Questions-Ethical Questions- how to achieve the goal how to achieve the goal without compromising any of your own or of without compromising any of your own or of society’s valuessociety’s valuesNo clear experts on the topic existNo clear experts on the topic existNo “right answers”No “right answers”Consulting with ColleaguesConsulting with ColleaguesIt is an engineer’s professional obligation to It is an engineer’s professional obligation to report unsafe situationsreport unsafe situationsProfessional Obligations out weigh private Professional Obligations out weigh private interestsinterestsAdvice from collegues is beneficial within the Advice from collegues is beneficial within the bounds of professionalismbounds of professionalismDifficult for engineers to be critical of each otherDifficult for engineers to be critical of each
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