Responsibilities to the public and integrity in the practice of geology

Responsibilities to the public and integrity in the practice of geology Page 18 A. Obligation to and protection of public - The registrant or enrollee shall at all times recognize his or her primary obligation to safeguard life, health, and property and promote the public welfare. B. Reporting suspected violators - The registrant or enrollee shall report to the Board any suspected violation of the Rules and Regulations. Failure to do so may be construed as aiding and abetting the violator. Section 73-63-43, (Mississippi Code, annotated), provides that a person who reports or provides information to the Board in good faith is not subject to an action for civil damages. C. Qualified for assignments - The registrant or enrollee shall provide professional services only when qualified by training, education, and/or experience in the specific technical discipline involved. D. Use of seal restricted - The registrant shall sign and affix his or her seal only on documents prepared by the registrant, prepared under the registrant’s direct supervisory control, or reviewed by the registrant in sufficient depth to fully assume responsibility for the accuracy and adequacy of the specific geologic subject matter. E. Public statements - The registrant or enrollee shall not knowingly make any false, misleading, or unfounded statement, nor make any sensational, exaggerated, or unwarranted statement, claim or advertisement when engaged in the practice of geology or in matters related to the professional practice of geology with the intent to mislead or deceive, even if directed to do so by an employer or client, or under any other pressure. The registrant or enrollee shall include all relevant and pertinent information in any report, statement, or testimony given in the practice of geology or in matters related to the professional practice of geology. F. Professional opinions - The registrant or enrollee shall not give a professional opinion or submit a report without being as thoroughly informed as might be reasonably expected, considering the purpose for which the opinion or report is requested. The registrant shall, insofar as practicable, distinguish between fact and opinion in all evaluations and estimates, and shall set forth all assumptions. The registrant or enrollee shall base his or her professional opinions upon the honest conviction of the veracity of empirical knowledge and commonly recognized geological principles and geologic practice standards. G. Use of reports - The registrant or enrollee shall not knowingly permit the publication or other use of his or her reports, maps, documents, data, or interpretations for any unsound, unethical, or illegal undertaking or enterprise. H. Conflict of public interest - The registrant or enrollee shall disclose the existence of any beneficial interest or expected interest in any property or project in which the registrant provides professional services, geological or otherwise.