The bulletin from the HSE was designed to raise awareness of the fact that non-destructive test results are vulnerable to tampering. The practice is particularly prevalent when it comes to radiographic techniques, where results are provided as images that can be easily modified or reproduced.
Similarly, welder qualifications are often seen to have been tampered with – and I’m sure there are other examples that are unlikely to be mistakes, but almost certainly conscious actions, undertaken by individuals who are trying to deceive. If undetected, a product could enter the market, or continue in service, with catastrophic results.
As engineers, everything we do can be reduced to providing a safer and more sustainable environment or product. Therefore, these are examples of immoral and unethical acts that should be unacceptable.
Professional registration with the engineering council comes with a commitment to working and behaving in a certain way. It is governed by the code of conduct and ethics that we all sign up to and distinguishes us as professional engineers.
Committing to this code of conduct, along with continued development, is a key part of what we are and should give confidence to employers and customers alike. We, as employers, peers, or anyone in a position of influence, should strongly encourage professional registration.
Imagine a time when your proposition could include, ‘all of our engineers are registered with the engineering council’. That is the goal.