Response to case study scenario 1

As a junior engineer working in the safety testing group in the company, I would be facing the main point which discrepancies observed in the test reports. This discrepancy has to be reported in the data log for that batch and the company’s quality control department has to be notified at once, since a large batch of the potentially unsafe equipment has already been sent out to a client and must be recalled before any huge fire incident takes place. Any negligence on the part of the company in notifying local authorities and the client can result in their being sued for corporate manslaughter by the client (if the USB flash memory bulbs cause a fire hazard and any lives are lost) as well as breach of contract resulting in financial loss and lawsuits.
If the company does not inform the Local authority trading standards departments, it can be sued for damages by the client, the injured parties and can be fined by the Local authorities. The company employees involved, like executives and I, can be fined up to 5000 pounds or face a jail term of up to six months. In addition, The General Product Safety Regulations 2005 makes it mandatory for the company to inform the local authorities when they become aware they have placed on the market, or distributed, an unsafe product. My report will enable the company to become aware that they have supplied unsafe USB flash memory drives which are potential safety hazards to the client. As such, the company on the basis of my report can issue a product recall so that it does not incur lawsuits, financial losses and loss of reputation.
An engineer working in any firm in UK is also bound to follow the ethical principles and the code of conduct set forth by The Royal Academy of Engineering, in conjunction with Engineering Council of UK. In adherence with this set of ethical principles, I have to report the matter so that the company and the client are not knowingly misled, and the risk and safety hazard of the accessory in question is properly quantified. I think my resolution coming about reflects the respect I have for safety of others, the reputation and integrity of my company and honor for the law and legislations regulating quality control in compliance with the Charter of Ethics of Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers. From an ethics stand point, professional ethics have a huge impact on the life, property and reputation of others. Timely action on my part can result in a voluntary product recall by the company. This will save the company, the client and me from legal liabilities and ensure the safety of others.