According to most professional associations’ codes of ethics and to Canadian environmental law, when a company knowingly ignores hazardous…

The paramount duty of a licensed professional is to safeguard the public welfare and the environment. When an employer knowingly creates hazardous environmental conditions, this duty overrides the professional's duty to the employer. The correct ethical action is to take professional steps to ensure compliance. This involves advising the employer of the non-compliance and the need for corrective action. If the employer fails to act, the professional may have a further duty to report the situation to the appropriate regulatory authorities. This course of action upholds professional ethics and legal obligations, even if it carries the risk of negative employment consequences.

A. Reporting to the media is an act of last resort (whistleblowing) and is not the first professional step to be taken.

B. The duty to the public and the environment is paramount and takes precedence over the duty to an employer or client.

C. Waiting for more hazards is unethical and irresponsible; a known hazard requires immediate attention and action to protect the public.

1. Andrews, G. C. (2019). Canadian Professional Engineering and Geoscience: Practice and Ethics (6th ed.). Nelson.

Chapter 2, Section 2.2.1 "The Primacy of Public Welfare," establishes this as the professional's most important duty.

Chapter 22, Section 22.6 "Duty to Report (Whistleblowing)," outlines the steps for reporting unsafe or unethical practices, starting internally before escalating.

2. Marston, D. L. (2019). Law for Professional Engineers: Canadian and Global Insights (5th ed.). McGraw-Hill Ryerson.

Chapter 23, "Environmental Law," discusses the legal obligations of professionals and corporations regarding environmental protection, including statutory duties to report spills and discharges.