Anonymous vs. non-anonymous complaint to licensure board 2

[photoengineer]

I recently discovered another engineer providing engineering services to a city works department without a license. He created a report on a hydroelectric plant, covering the condition of the piping, generating capacity, cost estimates to return plant to operational condition. He also specified a couple of upgrade options to increase the generating capacity by using newer turbines.

As a licensed professional engineer, I am obligated by my state laws to file a complaint and allow them to investigate. My question is do I do this anonymous or do it "loud and proud"? I would like to do this type of work, and also do contract work with the city in the future. Putting my name on the complaint form won't help me build a positive reputation because it's a small town and word will get around. However, being anonymous is also not the most ethical way to go.

Thoughts?

 

[BigInch]

Then again, you might get a lot on op & maintenance procedures and no size and capital cost.

**********************
"Pumping accounts for 20% of the world’s energy used by electric motors and 25-50% of the total electrical energy usage in certain industrial facilities."-DOE statistic (Note: Make that 99% for pipeline companies)

http://virtualpipeline.spaces.live.com/

 

[BJC]

"Then again, you might get a lot on op & maintenance procedures and no size and capital cost."

True -but you might have got your brother in law ( or retired buddy etc.) some easy money.

 

[JStephen]

I don't think the point of the engineering laws is ruin your own career trying to correct technicalities by other people.

If it's just a matter of reporting because the law says you need to, but you don't know of any really vital issues involved, go with the anonymous tip. If it's ignored, it's the board ignoring it, not you.

From your descrition, it's not altogether clear that the report IS engineering.
"condition of the piping"- this is covered by inspectors in their reports all the time, and isn't necessarily engineering
"generating capacity"- that sounds like it could be pretty variable. If he surveyed the place and added up the capacity of each generator, that's not exactly engineering either.
"cost estimates to return plant to operational condition"- Contractors do cost estimating, and it isn't normally considered engineering
"He also specified a couple of upgrade options to increase the generating capacity by using newer turbines"- that would be pretty dependent on the nature of the recommendation/ specification. If I tell you to scrap your Model T and get a new car, am I practicing engineering?

 

[photoengineer]

JStephen,

I like your suggestion about reporting it anonymously and letting the board decide if they want to act on it.

Yes, putting my name on a complaint would be a career limiting move to make. That is not something that I wish to do.

I don't know for sure if the report does actual engineering. I'm trying to get a copy of it, but the description of the overall work (as described in newspaper articles) appears to be engineering work. The city wants $50 to provide me with a copy of the report and I'm not willing to pay for it. My hope is they have an electronic copy they can e-mail at no charge.



Cedar Bluff Engineering

http://cedarbluffengineering.webs.com

 

[diarmud]

I think you need to be a little more careful. Once the anon tip hits the Board, they will call the city, the city will remember your interest, they will figure it out and everyone will be "careful" when dealing with you.

You do not even know if something wrong has occurred.

What are your motives? To be "pure" to the law and your profession . . . so you are telling me you never softened the blow with a client by not telling them the whole unadulterated truth? Or are you jealous?

Do no harm is something to think about, especially if the city did not want professional engineering services but just an opinion (did the report require a PE stamp?).

My recommendation . . . forget it and spend more time developing your business. You could be damaging some folks who don't need the damage and you seem to have admitted you don't have the whole story.

 

[patprimmer]

There can be a fine line between a vindictive snitch and a responsible person doing their duty and the perception of that line can be very distorted depending on where you sit.

Regards
Pat
See FAQ731-376 for tips on use of eng-tips by professional engineers &

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm

for site rules