DP2

DecisionPoint
http://proethica.org/ontology/cases#DecisionPoint

DP2

Should Engineer A treat his sealing obligations identically for plans prepared by registered subordinates and plans prepared by non-registered graduate engineers, or must he recognize a categorically heightened duty of direct control and personal supervision before sealing non-registered engineers' work — and decline to seal that work unless such supervision has actually been exercised?

Engineer A's sealing practice encompasses two categorically distinct scenarios: plans prepared by registered engineer subordinates who do not affix their own seals, and plans prepared by non-registered graduate engineers working under his general supervision. The ethical analysis must determine whether these two scenarios warrant the same finding or whether the non-registered subordinate scenario constitutes a categorically more serious and separately cognizable violation — given that the NCEE Model Law imposes a heightened 'direct control and personal supervision' standard specifically for non-licensed subordinate work, and that no independent professional quality gate exists for non-registered engineers' work prior to Engineer A's seal.

Engineer A recognizes a categorical distinction between the two scenarios, declines to seal plans prepared by non-registered graduate engineers unless he has exercised direct control and personal supervision over that specific work, and advocates within the firm for restructuring — either by assigning a registered engineer with sufficient supervisory capacity to directly oversee each non-registered engineer's work, or by restricting non-registered engineers to tasks that do not require professional sealing.

Engineer A treats his general supervisory engagement as equally sufficient for both registered and non-registered subordinate work, reasoning that his involvement in design concept, design requirements, and technical consultation constitutes responsible charge regardless of the licensure status of the preparer, and that the firm's internal quality culture provides adequate assurance for all work product.

Engineer A requires that every non-registered graduate engineer's work be co-supervised by a designated registered engineer subordinate who exercises direct control and personal supervision over that specific work product and who is identified as the responsible supervising engineer — while Engineer A retains coordinating oversight — thereby distributing the direct supervision obligation to engineers with sufficient capacity to discharge it without requiring Engineer A to personally supervise every non-registered engineer's task.

Engineer A Chief Engineer Sealing Supervisor