Canon #1

Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public in the performance of their professional duties.

1. Engineers shall recognize that the safety, health and welfare of the public are dependent upon engineering decisions and practices incorporated into structures, machines, products, processes and devices.
2. Engineers shall not approve or seal plans or specifications that are not designed safely and in conformity with accepted engineering standards.
3. Whenever an engineer’s professional judgments are overruled such that the safety, health, and welfare of the public are endangered, the engineer shall inform the client, the employer or both of the possible consequences.
4. If an engineer believes that another person or firm may be in violation of any of the provisions of these canons, the engineer shall present such information to the proper authority in writing and shall cooperate with the proper authority in furnishing such further information or assistance as may be required.

This first Canon clearly states that you must hold paramount the health and safety of society in the performance of your professional duties. The interpretations attempt to provide additional details, but a close reading shows they provide little true guidance. Interpretation (a) states that the decisions you make as an engineer have an impact on the welfare of the general public, and (b) says you must make plans and structures according to accepted engineering standards. Interpretations (c) and (d) describe the steps you could take to uphold the safety, health, and welfare of the public if you believe Canon 1 is being violated.