The Engineering Code of Ethics and Organizational Failure

with Gareth Igloliorte 

The modern world creates complex sociotechnical systems.  Industry relies on multiple layers of interwoven technology for its equipment and operations, all of which are designed, implemented and managed by engineers.  A result of this complexity is organizational failure: catastrophic accidents and events that are not the result of a simple chain of cause and effect, but a subtle degradation of this technology fostering latent conditions in the sociotechnical system.  Engineers play a critical role in detecting and preventing such accidents that requires personal competency, technical excellence and professional frankness, all consistent with expectations of the Code of Ethics in the pursuit of public safety.  Theories in organizational behaviour and behavioural psychology identify best practices in organizational structure and team dynamics for managing sociotechnical systems and create the conditions that reinforce the Code of Ethics.

The education of future engineers should discuss the hazards associated with complexity and the mechanisms of organizational failure and the methods to mitigate the risk presented by these hazards.  This presentation discusses organizational failure, best practices to address these failures and advocates for their inclusion in the engineering curriculum.

Gareth Igloliorte is a Senior Manager – Safety, Operational Integrity and Environment with Husky.  He is lucky to lead a team of dedicated safety professionals in the support of Husky's operated and contracted assets in the offshore Atlantic Region.  In addition, he is involved with committees in St. John's, NL.  In particular, with the Centre for Risk, Reliability, Integrity and Reliability Engineering Safety Symposium, Process Engineering of Memorial University and CAPP.  Gareth has a Bachelors Degree in Ocean Engineering and Naval Architecture and a Master's degree in Engineering Management.