Professional Ethics in Occupational Safety and Health

Shaun Lundy

My Background

• Principal Lecturer & Programme Leader for a BSc & MSc in Occupational Safety & Health

• Member of the IOSH Professional Committee (PC)

• Currently Chairing a working group reviewing and updating the current Code of Conduct & Disciplinary Procedures

What does the PC do?

• The guardian of IOSH professional standards, including all matters that influence the development and regulation of good OSH practice amongst members.• Code of Conduct & Disciplinary matters

• IPD & CPD

• Education syllabus & accreditation of providers

• Promote initiatives to improve the reputation of IOSH

• Award appropriate grades of memberships, honours and awards

Professional Ethics - Project Background

• Safety and Health Practitioners’ face many dilemmas in practice and may often find themselves faced with difficult and unpopular decisions.

• Professional behavior should go beyond simply obeying laws, rules and regulations.

• Current ethical framework is the “code of conduct” produced by IOSH.

• There are no ENTO training standards in professional ethics for practitioners and it is not included in the education syllabus for accredited professional diploma or degree courses.

• There is no current CPD training which addresses this area specifically.

What is/are Ethics?

The study and philosophy of human conduct, with emphasis on the determination of right and wrong.

A code of behaviour of a particular group, profession, or individual.

Questions

• Is the current Code suitable and sufficient?

• What are the dilemmas faced by practitioners?

• How should practitioners conduct themselves to ensure they behave ethically?

• How should professional ethics be incorporated into the educational syllabus for practitioners?

• What are the continuing professional needs of the Occupational Safety & Health Practitioner in relation to ethical decision making?

Professional Ethics

Allegations of Misconduct

• A complaint is made to the Chief Executive who refers to a nominated representative - Simon Buckler (Ethics Practice Manager)

• PC reviews documentation• Decides there is no breach of Code

• Decides there is a breach of the Code and provides guidance or a reprimand to the subject of the complaint

• Refers the case to a Disciplinary Committee for a hearing and potentially a higher penalty e.g. expulsion

Why the concern?

• Cases being reviewed by the PC are increasing

• Our professional activities are being scrutinised by society

• As we get more involved in decision making processes our exposure to ethical dilemmas increases

What examples of misconduct have we seen?• Serious criminal offences

• False declaration of membership e.g. Stating that you are a Chartered Practitioner when you are not

• Evidence of bad practice e.g. Questions raised regarding competence following submission of risk assessments to a contractor vetting organisation

• Unprofessional behaviour e.g. Verbal abuse to a fellow member in public

• Disputes between practitioners on advise given to clients

Competence

Basic ethical concepts introduced as part of the syllabus

Practitioner reflects on practice & identifies future training needs

Ethics CPD training provided to reflectcurrent practice themes

Practitioner is functioning within the Code and has practice knowledge of it

Influenced by the Dreyfus model of skill acquisitionDreyfus and Dreyfus (1986)

Conclusion

• A new Code will be launched 2010??

• Future Diploma and HE syllabus will contain learning outcomes on Professional Ethics

• Professional Interviews for Chartered membership will address the Code

• CPD will be available on Professional Ethics, Dilemmas and the Code of Conduct

QuestionsShaun LundyMiddlesex UniversitySchool of Health and Social SciencesHendon LondonNW4 4BT

07769 710168s.lundy@mdx.ac.uk

Theories of Ethics

Kohlberg (1976) Theory of Moral Development

Level of

Decision

Description

1 Self Interest Motivated by avoiding punishment either from a manager or legal prosecution

2 Conformity to one’s societyMotivated to fit in and will consult follow peers

3 Principle of RespectBe true to their professional integrity

Table 3: Levels of Moral Development:

Patankar et al (2005)

Humphreys (1990) Moral Principles

Principle Duty

Autonomy Respect the autonomy of others

Non-malevolence Not to inflict harm on others.

Benevolence Promote good to others.

Justice Give other what is owed or due to them (what they deserve).

Truth-telling Disclose all relevant information honestly and intelligibly.

Promise keeping Be faithful to just agreements, honour contracts.

Table 4: Moral Principals