--- title: "Chemical waste leakage; boss asks silence" subject: "Engineering Professional Practice" chapter: 7 key: "semester_8/engineering_professional_practice:hazardous-waste-leak-boss-silent" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/engineering_professional_practice/hazardous-waste-leak-boss-silent site: BCT Engineering --- # Chemical waste leakage; boss asks silence Engineering Professional Practice · Chapter 7: Case Studies based on Engineering Practices - Asked in: year not given - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/engineering_professional_practice/hazardous-waste-leak-boss-silent - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_8/engineering_professional_practice/chapter-7 ## Question A factory was using a chemical in making a product. The storage tank of the chemical waste, which was hazardous to health and environment, had a leakage. During inspection Er. A came to know leakage that had already taken place that might cause adverse impact on health and hygiene of the surroundings. You informed your boss about the event. Considering the possible social objection he requests you to be silent on the issue and also hints you that you may have to be out of the job if the case would go into the hands of social reformers. If you were Er. A, what you would do? Discuss. ## Short answer Do not stay silent. Verify and record the leak, report in writing to the boss and top management with a remedial plan, and if ignored notify the environmental or health authority. Public safety and legal duty override the threat of job loss. ## Answer #### The case Er. A, an inspector, discovers a leak of hazardous chemical waste that can harm the health of people nearby and the environment. The boss, fearing public protest, asks him to keep silent and hints at dismissal. The dilemma is between loyalty and job security on one side, and public safety and honesty on the other. #### Ethical analysis - The code of ethics of the Nepal Engineering Council, like those of other engineering societies, says that the engineer must hold the safety, health and welfare of the public above all, including loyalty to the employer. - Silence allows harm to continue and is a form of concealment. The people who are exposed cannot protect themselves because they do not know. - Laws require action: the Environment Protection Act 2076 and Rules apply the polluter-pays principle, require control of pollution and prevention of harm from hazardous waste, and the Public Health Service Act and the local government laws protect health. Hiding a leak may make the engineer also responsible. - The risk to the job is real, but self-interest cannot override the duty. An engineer is also responsible for the integrity of his own report. #### Options 1. Obey and stay silent: protects the job but is unethical and illegal; he shares the guilt if harm occurs. 2. Resign quietly: avoids personal guilt but does not stop the harm. 3. Push inside the company: write a report, explain risk, legal liability and cost of a later scandal, and propose repair and clean-up. 4. Go outside (whistle-blowing) if the company still does not act: inform the environmental or health authority and local government. #### Recommended course 1. Verify the facts, measure the extent and record them with date, photographs and test data. 2. Report in writing to the boss and, if ignored, to top management or the board, giving a clear remedial plan: isolate the tank, stop the leak, transfer the waste to safe storage, clean the contaminated soil and water, tell neighbours, and use proper treatment. 3. If the company still refuses, report to the competent government authority (the environment/health office and the local ward or municipality) and, if needed, seek protection under whistle-blower or labour law. This is justified when the harm is serious, the internal route fails, and there is strong evidence. 4. Keep copies of the evidence and act in a professional way, avoiding exaggeration or media-based attack. Er. A should not stay silent. Job loss is a serious cost, but the safety of people and his own honesty and professional licence are more important. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. According to the code of ethics, what comes above loyalty to the employer? A. Job security of the engineer B. The company's reputation C. The boss's instruction D. The safety, health and welfare of the public Answer: D. The Nepal Engineering Council code and other engineering codes require holding public safety, health and welfare above all, including loyalty to the employer. (Key point: Primary ethical duty) 2. Why is staying silent about the leak wrong? A. It lets harm continue, the exposed people cannot protect themselves, and it is illegal concealment that may make the engineer responsible B. It costs the company money C. It annoys social reformers D. It makes the report too long Answer: A. Silence conceals the hazard from those exposed, breaks environmental and health laws and can make the engineer share responsibility. (Key point: Why silence is wrong) 3. What is the recommended order of action for Er. A? A. Go to the media immediately B. Resign quietly and say nothing C. Verify and record facts, report in writing inside the company with a remedial plan, then go to the government authority if the company still refuses D. Wait for the boss to decide Answer: C. First verify and document, then push internally in writing, and whistle-blow to the authorities only if internal routes fail and evidence is strong. (Key point: Order of action) 4. When is external whistle-blowing justified? A. Whenever the engineer dislikes the boss B. When the harm is serious, the internal route fails, and there is strong evidence C. Whenever any small fault is found D. Only after the engineer has been dismissed Answer: B. The answer says external reporting is justified when harm is serious, internal reporting has failed and there is strong evidence. 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