There are hired guns out there who are wearing the Iron Ring: Engineering experts hired to do a specific and often ethically dubious job. (Ref. 1) This contrary to their taking part in the Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer – their Obligation – and agreeing to a certain standard of practice. Then accepting the Ring as a reminder. (Ref. 2) There are a few of this type out there in spite of the fact that the great majority of experts in Canada are ethical. (Ref. 3)
Question them on what they said during the Ritual. Come down hard on them, is what you do. Read the Calling, the Ritual below in the Appendix – take them through it, step by step. Engineers are up there next to the medical docs in the eye of the public; there’s an obligation to stay the course and be ethical.
For sure, leave the door open on the possibility that s/he has made a mistake. They have unknowingly stepped outside their sandbox and agreed to investigate a failure or accident for which they’re not qualified, or to find cause in favour of the client.
You can learn who you’re dealing with, and flush out the bad guys, by cross-examining them on each simple word or phrase in the Ritual. The intent of the Ritual is clear and presented in simple English that a smart high school kid can understand.
The Iron Ring and the Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer are more important to some of us than the piece of paper hanging on the wall – our engineering degree. My degrees are not even hanging on the wall. They’re framed but lying on top of a filing cabinet in my office.
I don’t think anyone has asked over the years if I have a degree. Really, just once if memory serves. On the other hand, many have noticed the Iron Ring on the little finger of my working hand and remarked. To be fair, it’s in plain view and the degree isn’t. That’s the idea, a visual reminder to the wearer, and reassurance to a client who might retain the engineer as an expert.
I’m not surprised at it’s importance, both to the wearer and the observer. The iron ring has been around a long time – 100 years in 2025, the anniversary of the first Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer.
References
- Merriam-Webster Dictionary 2023
- Dr. Google, The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer
- Corbin, Ruth M., Chair, Corbin Partners Inc. and Adjunct Professor, Osgoode Hall School, Toronto, Breaking the Expert Evidence Logjam: Experts Weigh In, presented at Expert Witness Forum East, Toronto, February, 2018
(Posted by Eric E. Jorden, M.Sc., P.Eng. Consulting Professional Engineer, Forensic Engineer, Geotechnology Ltd., Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, October 13, 2023. ejorden@eastlink.ca)
Appendix
Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer
I (name of the engineer) in the presence of these my betters and equals in my Calling, bind myself upon my Honour and Cold Iron, that, of the best of my knowledge and power, I will not henceforward suffer or pass, or be privy to the passing of, Bad Workmanship or Faulty Material in aught that concerns my works before mankind as an Engineer, or in my dealings with my own Soul before my Maker.
MY TIME I will not refuse; my Thought I will not grudge; my Care I will not deny towards the honour, use, stability and perfection of any works to which I may be called to set my hand.
MY FAIR WAGES for that work I will openly take. My Reputation in my Calling I will honourably guard; but I will in no way go about to compass or wrest judgement or gratification from any one with whom I may deal. And further, I will early and warily strive my uttermost against professional jealousy and the belittling of my working-colleagues in any field of their labour.
FOR MY ASSURED FAILURES and derelictions, I ask pardon beforehand of my betters and my equals in my Calling here assembled; praying that in the hour of my temptations, weakness and weariness, the memory of this my Obligation and of the company before whom it was entered into, may return to me to aid, comfort and restrain.