Define ethics.
Ethics is the science of morals in human behavior; moral philosophy. Also: moral principles; rules of conduct.
List three of reasons why ethical issues are especially challenging.
- the stakes are often very high
- many information sources are unreliable
- some people and corporations are cynical about ethics
- there are no required professional standards for OH&S
- sometimes both sides of a dilemma seen to be equally compelling.
list four examples of ethical misconduct as described in the article “Professional Ethics in OH&S”. What are four common reasons cited for the misconduct?
-Providing negligent or incorrect safety advice
-Failing to implement adequate safety systems
-Failing to report or communicate hazards
-Failing to act on known risks or stop unsafe work
Reasons for misconduct:
-Lack of ethical awareness
-Organizational pressure (cost, deadlines, productivity)
-Normalization of unsafe or unethical practices
-Moral disengagement or justification of decisions
What does the BCRSP code of conduct say about the OH&S professional’s obligation for ongoing professional development?
Continue development throughout their career and support and encourage fellow certificants to develop skills, knowledge, and abilities.
What does the BCRSP code of conduct state about the OH&S professional’s obligation regarding confidentiality?
Protect the confidentiality of all acquired information and disclose such information only when properly authorized or when legally obligated to do so.”
