What takes precedence according to the NSPE code regarding obligations?

The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Code of Ethics emphasizes the importance of prioritizing public welfare in engineering practice. This principle holds that engineers have a fundamental responsibility to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of the public above all other considerations. The code stipulates that engineers must act with fairness and honesty while ensuring that their professional decisions do not compromise public safety.

Choosing public obligations as a precedence reflects a commitment to ethical responsibility, ensuring that engineering work does not inadvertently harm society or the environment. By placing public interest at the forefront, engineers are encouraged to act as stewards of society and to consider the broader implications of their work on communities and the environment. This foundational ethos reinforces the trust placed in the engineering profession and underpins public confidence in engineering decisions.