On June 19, 2024, in the organization of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Academy of Arts and Sciences (BHAAAS), a round table was held on the topic "Code of Ethics in Construction", which was moderated by BHAAAS member Venera Simonović, Ph.D., B.Sc. construction
Among those invited to the discussion were representatives of governmental and non-governmental organizations, independent workers, and representatives of the academic community.
During the discussion, the key values that the code of ethics should promote were highlighted, including integrity, honesty, transparency, responsibility and respect for the environment and the local community. However, there are numerous cases when these standards are not respected and without any consequences for the perpetrators. Mechanisms for implementing the code of ethics were discussed, including procedures for reporting and resolving violations of the code, as well as sanctions for violators. Potential challenges and obstacles in the implementation of the code of ethics were identified, such as resistance to changes, lack of support, and certainly corruption. If misdemeanors or criminal offenses are reported, several years may pass before the final determination of responsibility. Therefore, the conclusion was imposed that the most expedient would be to establish and strengthen the engineering chamber, as is the case in all other countries in the region, within which the aforementioned offenses and conflicts would be resolved. The Chamber of Engineers would protect its members, but also define the much-needed forms of responsible behavior in construction, which represents a huge field of activity from the creation of urban plans, design, selection of materials for future construction, supervision and construction of buildings itself.
Therefore, the basic principles of the code of ethics would rest on the following postulates:
• The creation of spatial plans must be based on the principle that space, cultural and natural heritage are spaces with limited opportunities for restoration.
• To protect the public interest and the interest of citizens when designing and building spaces for people to live and work.
• Responsibility and honesty in business.
• Preservation and protection of cultural and historical heritage.
• Finding economically justified solutions and rationalizing construction.
• Proposing quality and/or sustainable technical solutions that will ensure health and a pleasant environment, both indoors and outdoors.
• Suggesting optimal consumption of raw materials, materials, human labor and energy.
• Suggesting solutions that contribute the least to waste generation and environmental pollution, etc.
The above is presented through specific examples of bad practice, starting from incompetent engineers who engage in activities for which they are not authorized, thus directly risking the lives and health of people and material goods, to non-compliance with environmental protection standards through construction on water protection zones and uncontrolled cutting of forests, endangering cultural and historical heritage, the use of materials in the construction industry that can be toxic, and negligent spatial planning.
CURRENT STATE
Performing engineering activities
Engineers may provide only those services for which they are professionally and academically trained.
Bad practice in the construction industry can have serious consequences, including endangering human life and property. The example of an engineer who took on tasks for which he was not qualified highlights the need to hire professional and competent personnel. Particularly sensitive interventions, such as the rehabilitation of landslides, require experienced professionals to ensure the safety and quality of the work performed. Failure to comply with these standards increases the risk of catastrophic consequences, especially in the case of natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes.
Engineers must perform their professional activities independently and impartially, with strict adherence to applicable regulations, norms and rules of the profession.
This condition is not always fulfilled because engineers often have to meet the demands of investors and especially in the civil service where there may be certain pressures to satisfy certain political guidelines. The independent performance of engineering tasks is essential to ensure the quality of works and the safety of people. It is vital that professional standards are always respected, regardless of external or political interests.
Spatial planning
Spatial planning should include a comprehensive consideration of possible consequences, both direct and indirect, short-term and long-term, on the environment, human health and social justice. Unfortunately, planning so far has often not been in line with these principles, especially with regard to existing infrastructure. There are examples of the construction of residential complexes without adequate solutions for traffic, pedestrian and bicycle paths, water and sewage system capacity, as well as without green areas. That is why it is important that in the future spatial planning is carried out with greater emphasis on the overall impact on the community and the environment.
Technical solutions that will ensure health and a pleasant environment, indoors and outdoors
The necessity of raising awareness about the quality of construction through the use of natural, local and recycled materials was highlighted, thus encouraging green construction and circular economy as imperatives for a sustainable future. Current energy efficiency projects that contribute to the reduction of energy consumption and CO2 emissions are highlighted, but the choice of materials is often overlooked, with materials such as Styrofoam and PVC windows being used. As a better alternative to the applied materials, which are oil derivatives and plastic, are natural wooden windows and insulating materials such as stone or sheep's wool that meet the above criteria and provide a healthy and pleasant environment for life.
Solutions that contribute the least to environmental pollution and waste generation
Although the topic of reducing environmental pollution and waste in construction has become ubiquitous, practice often does not reflect this concern. Activities such as uncontrolled urbanization and deforestation continue to occur, which indicates the need for a thorough approach in spatial planning. Ethical principles play a key role in the fight against pollution and waste management. As resources, such as drinking water and clean air, become increasingly scarce, understanding and adequately solving these problems is of utmost importance to preserve environmental sustainability and quality of life.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The construction sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina has long been faced with numerous challenges that negatively affect its proper development. One of the main problems is corruption, which manifests itself through unethical practices such as bribery and favoring certain companies. These phenomena undermine competition and lead to inefficient and unsustainable construction. In order to overcome these challenges, it is necessary to form an Engineering Chamber with a special Ethics Commission, which would create conditions for the sustainable development of a healthy construction sector. By introducing a code of ethics, engineers would be motivated to follow high professional and moral standards. The independent Ethics Commission would be authorized to decide on the status of members of the chamber, including the possibility of exclusion from the chamber for serious injuries, as well as the impossibility of further work, thus ensuring that all members respect ethical norms.
It is important to note that the proposal on the formation of the Chamber of Engineers is not a novelty; similar organizations already exist in other fields, such as healthcare and law, in the form of medical and bar associations.
Therefore, the organization of the Chamber of Engineers and the application of the code of ethics in construction would bring numerous advantages that can positively affect society as a whole. While there are many potential benefits, key benefits include:
1. Increasing trust: The application of the code of ethics contributes to building trust among all involved parties – investors, contractors, supervisory authorities and the general public. When it is known that projects are implemented in accordance with high ethical standards, trust in investors and contractors grows.
2. Prevention of corruption and conflicts of interest: The Code of Ethics helps in the identification and prevention of corrupt activities and conflicts of interest. This is especially important in the construction industry, where large financial transactions can pose a risk for unethical behavior.
3. Timely and fair resolution of disputes: The Code of Ethics includes the resolution of disputes in a fair and transparent manner, which can reduce the number of court disputes and their inefficiency due to the lengthy resolution.
4. Responsibility towards the community and the environment: Application of the code of ethics implies responsible behavior towards the local community and the environment. This includes sustainable construction, reducing waste and minimizing negative impact on the environment.
5. Improving the quality of work: The Code of Ethics encourages employees to follow high professional standards, which can result in better quality of work, reduction of errors and problems during construction, and greater attention to detail.
Although the advantages of establishing such an engineering chamber are significant, its work requires the approval and support of all levels of government, which is currently lacking. Also, the support of the academic community is crucial. Colleges should integrate ethics as an integral part of the educational program for students in civil engineering and related disciplines, enabling them to understand the importance of ethics in their profession and prepare for ethical behavior in their careers. The academic community would play a key role in the further education of graduate engineers and the development of guidelines and standards, with opportunities to establish partnerships with international universities to adopt best practices and standards.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is the only country in the region that still does not have a functional engineering chamber, which leaves wide opportunities for manipulation and inefficiency. Therefore, taking significant steps in this direction is an imperative that must be fulfilled as soon as possible.
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