The challenge of ethical project delivery within the civil engineering community is significantly complicated in the wake of rising issues of intimidation and the potential for violence, including threats to life. Intimidation can manifest in various forms, including coercion from superiors or clients to overlook professional guidelines and standards or engage in corrupt practices.

The stakes are particularly high in environments where unethical practices are rampant. Reports indicate that the percentage of professionals facing harassment and threats is rising, leading to a climate of fear that can escalate to violence.

This situation creates a moral dilemma for civil engineering professionals, as they are forced to weigh their personal safety against their professional responsibilities. The ethical obligation to report misconduct becomes increasingly difficult when the risk of severe consequences, including harm or death, are present, and understandably, this can lead to them compromising their ethical standards to maintain their positions, secure projects or even spare their lives.

What’s perplexing is that currently there is no robust anonymous reporting mechanism that won’t compromise their identity. This was one of the concerning issues raised during the recent SAICE Ethics Imbizo that took place last month.

“It’s time for decision makers, industry leaders, SAICE stakeholders and government to speak up and take a stand against intimidation and harassment so that our members are offered the tangible support they need when faced with threats to their lives,” shares the panel at the Imbizo.

The SAICE Code of Ethics emphasises the importance of adhering to ethical guidelines, which are designed to provide a framework for making decisions that consider public safety and welfare. This code requires members to take reasonable steps to minimise risks associated with their work, ensuring that safety considerations are prioritised throughout the project lifecycle.

However, when professionals face intimidation, their ability to act ethically is severely undermined. These pressures not only compromise individual integrity but also pose risks to public safety and the overall reputation of the civil engineering profession.

Addressing these challenges requires robust support systems within organisations, including clear anti-intimidation policies and protective measures for whistleblowers, to ensure that ethical standards are upheld without fear of retribution.

SAICE believes the solution should come from a collaborative approach from various key stakeholders, industry leaders and government departments.  SAICE frequently collaborates with various regulatory and industry bodies as well as organisations focused on construction safety. These collaborations help identify trends that may increase risks and promote sharing lessons learnt from past incidents to improve future practices.