Chapter 3: Business Ethics

The issues involved in the study of ethics are no less pertinent in the explosives industry than in others and no less prevalent in any one country than in others. As in other professions, ethics in explosives engineering is concerned with practices, behaviors, transactions and relationships of individuals and organizations as they affect interpersonal, professional and business activities. But, ethics in our profession often takes on greater significance because of the potential devastating effects of our tools which may devastate the intended rock, and personal injuries or damage to property. In addition, ethics extends to general concerns that go beyond the borehole itself, and personal issues affecting the social fabric of society, including health, technology, and the environment, which go beyond the immediate scope of individual behavior.

In the United States, in recent years, as a result of corporate corruption and scandal, most of what was previously thought to be questionable ethical behavior has been addressed by legislation and regulation. In many countries, certain companies are now required to develop policies relating to conflicts of interest, whistle blowing, codes of conduct, and more. Questions of ethics have become laws of the land with a requirement that employees be alert for and report questionable practices and conflicts.

As in any profession, we may encounter a wide range of legal and ethical issues relating to competence, antitrust matters, corruption, fraud, confidentiality, and conflicts of interest. The consequences of such actions are serious and far-reaching. That is why ethics are critically important, not only to the industry, but to individuals in order to sustain a successful professional career.

Those of us who work with explosives used to understand professional ethics, communicate ethics concerns, have the ability to recognize ethical issues, be aware of resources available to study ethics matters, and have the courage to do what is right on the job.

Defining Professional Ethics

The subject of ethics is difficult to define. The meaning essentially involves principles or values that provide the ability to distinguish between right and wrong. Still, the distinction between legal, ethical, and moral activism has become blurred in recent years. The three terms legal, ethical, and moral activism pertaining to this discussion of business ethics are defined below.

Legal

Legal refers to the set of codified statutes, administrative regulations, case law rulings and contractual agreements and includes concepts such as tort liability.

Ethical

Ethical refers to the practical application of moral principles within the confines of the law, often assisted by codes of ethics.

Moral

Moral describes actions or behaviors based on religious principles and traditional beliefs (including those of proper and improper conduct).

In general (1) legal principles are those that are codified or emerge from a long history of judicial decision making, (2) ethical concerns ultimately fall somewhere in between, and (3) moral principles take on a greater religious doctrine and traditional issues of right and wrong to arrive at the "Golden Rule."

The law often provides remedies for a wide variety of wrongs from criminal activities to civil concerns such as slander, libel, antitrust activity, copyright infringement, etc. More often, however, an entry finds its way to the world list legal behavior that reasonable people might consider to be morally wrong or even illegal behavior that has long gone tolerated by law enforcement. When it involves behavior in the workplace, we refer to it simply as a matter of ethics, where private remedies are employed outside the courtroom. Although much about ethical principles can never be placed into law, in recent years, a number of attempts have been made through codes adopted by industries, businesses and professional groups.

The Role of Associations and Professional Societies

Acting on behalf of industries and groups of individuals, many trade associations and professional societies have adopted guidelines or codes of ethics that can be applied on-the-job. These codes typically address ethical considerations encountered by members when dealing directly with the community at large, property owners, employers, colleagues (on and off the job site), competitors, and customers. Some of the codes also address issues of professional competence as well as broader social, political and moral issues. The effectiveness of such codes of ethics depends on the extent to which they are understood and accepted by those to whom they apply.

As a professional society, the International Society of Explosives Engineers (ISEE) has adopted its Code of Ethics from the Code of Ethics for Professional Engineers of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. The ISEE Code of Ethics, which applies to members of the Society, was established to promote and maintain the highest standards of the engineering profession.

ISEE Code Of Ethics

Fundamental Principles

ISEE Members uphold and advance the integrity, honor and dignity of the engineering profession by:

1. using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of humankind;
2. serving their peers, their employers and their clients with integrity, honesty, and fidelity;
3. striving to increase the standard of excellence and prestige of the explosives industry; and
4. supporting the professional and technical societies of their disciplines.

Fundamental Canons

1. ISEE Members shall maintain and promote the safety, and health and welfare of persons and property at all times.
2. ISEE Members shall perform services only in areas in which they are competent.
3. ISEE Members shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
4. ISEE Members shall act as faithful agents or trustees for each employer or client in professional matters. They shall avoid conflicts of interest.
5. ISEE Members shall build their professional reputation on merit of their services, and shall not compete unfairly with others.
6. ISEE Members shall, by their conduct, uphold and enhance the honor, integrity and dignity of the explosives industry.
7. ISEE Members shall continue their professional development throughout their career and shall provide opportunities for the professional development of those that they supervise.
8. ISEE Members shall accept responsibility for their actions; be open to and acknowledge criticism of their work; be sensitive and offer honest criticism to the work of others; properly credit the contribution of the work of others; and shall not accept credit for work that is not theirs.

Figure 3.1 - ISEE Code of Ethics. (Adapted from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology)

Adherence to these standards is required for membership in the ISEE and serves to assure public confidence in the integrity and service of explosives engineers.

The ISEE, through its ethics committee, also serves as a moral persuader and, often, watchdog with limited enforcement power. The committee promotes ethical standards based on the Code. If a member has broken the law or violated the Code, ISEE can suspend or revoke membership and must make public the action after fair and impartial hearings. A number of cases also have been subject to the Society's efforts at conflict resolution. By sitting down and discreetly discussing problems with the parties involved, the Society has been able to help parties avoid litigation, gain a better understanding of the issues, and confront each other with grievances.

What Can Explosives Engineers Do?

Among all the professions on earth, there is none that demands a stricter commitment to proper training, education and respect for the rights of others. Those of us who strategically place and detonate explosives have a high degree of responsibility to conduct ourselves in a professional manner.

We must give utmost consideration to the awesome effect that explosives have on life and property. That responsibility extends to our customers, colleagues and the general public. But our responsibility goes even further. According to the first fundamental principle of the Code of Ethics for Explosives Engineers, we must all be committed to using our "knowledge and skill for the enhancement of humankind." "Explosives engineers should always be aware of their overriding responsibility to the public."

The second principle underscores the ethical responsibility that blasters have to exhibit honest, responsible behavior. For example, each of us should pledge to be diligent in communicating with those who will be directly affected by our work. In fact, the duty to behave ethically requires that an individual communicate, behave honorably and do the right thing.

The third is the need to work constantly to upgrade our professional skills and competence and to understand that, although in the course of their careers explosives professionals may find themselves removed from direct involvement with explosives work, explosives engineers have a duty to act in accordance with the rules of professional conduct in all aspects of their professional lives.

The fourth obligates us to be active with industry associations and professional societies, be aware of the accepted standards of conduct and to participate in the development of codes of self-regulation. As blasters we must be disciplined in our own behavior, diligent in our participation, and constantly intolerant of unethical behavior when we see it. We must exhibit honesty and responsible behavior, and know (and be in compliance with) applicable laws and professional Codes of Conduct.

Conclusion

The basis of all ethics is an accepted standard of behavior based on morality and honesty. As such, ethics go beyond the "moral minimums" established by the legal codes. Broader ethical obligations involving social, political and moral issues must also be recognized when considering ethical responsibilities. Ethical behavior involves honest dealings with the community at large, property owners, employers, colleagues (on and off the job site), competitors, and customers. It also involves issues of safety, security, health, and the environment.

In recent years, much of what was previously thought to be questionable ethical behavior has become a matter of law along with a requirement that employees be alert for and report questionable practices and unethical conduct relating to antitrust, fraud, corruption, confidentiality and conflicts of interest.

The challenge for industry is to provide clear and practical guidelines that member individuals and organizations can use to recognize and respond to ethical concerns. Professional societies like ISEE serve a critical function by developing, adopting and promoting standards of conduct. Each of us has a responsibility to invoke the self-discipline necessary to make judgments or decisions in accordance with the accepted principles of right and wrong and to exemplify the Code of Ethics throughout our daily lives.

Like other industries, the explosives industry is in a position to accept, adopt or ignore policy positions relative to broader social, political or moral issues. Even so, working with explosives, we are entrusted with a higher degree of responsibility to be safe on the job, to protect the general public, to respect the environment, and to cooperate with law enforcement and government security experts to keep the tools of our trade out of the hands of criminals and terrorists.