Professional codes of conduct have developed to reflect the parameters of normative behaviour within which members of the professions should operate. The professional responsibilities and obligations of members toward their peers, their clients and the general public are usually delineated within these codes of conduct. An overview of business and professional ethics within construction is provided and the ethical issues facing South African construction professions are summarized. Specifically, this paper addresses ethical issues with regard to the breach of professional responsibilities and obligations to clients and the general public, as evidenced from a questionnaire survey of architects, contractors, quantity surveyors and consulting engineers. The survey findings indicate that, notwithstanding noticeable breaches, the professions take their responsibilities and obligations seriously, and regard a balance between their obligations to clients and the general public as paramount. Breaches in professional responsibilities include conflicts of interest and the divulging of confidential and proprietary information to a third party; both professionals and clients are guilty of such breaches. Les codes de bonne conduite professionnels se sont développés de façon à refléter les paramètres du comportement normatif dans le cadre duquel les membres des professions libérales doivent exercer leurs activités. Les responsabilités et les obligations professionnelles des membres vis-à-vis de leurs pairs, de leurs clients et du grand public sont habituellement définies dans le cadre de ces codes de bonne conduite. Un panorama général de l'éthique professionnelle et des affaires dans le secteur du bâtiment est fourni et les problèmes éthiques auxquels sont confrontées les professions du bâtiment en Afrique du Sud sont y sont résumés. Cet article aborde plus précisément les problèmes éthiques concernant le non-respect des responsabilités et des obligations professionnelles à l'égard des clients et du grand public, suite à une enquête par questionnaire auprès d'architectes, de promoteurs, de métreurs-vérificateurs et d'ingénieurs d'études. Les résultats de cette enquête indiquent que, nonobstant d'évidentes violations, ces professions prennent leurs responsabilités et leurs obligations au sérieux, et considèrent comme primordial un équilibre entre leurs obligations envers leurs clients et envers le grand public. Les manquements aux obligations professionnelles incluent des conflits d'intérêts et la divulgation d'informations confidentielles à un tiers. Les professionnels comme les clients sont coupables de tels manquements. Mots clé architectes, éthique des affaires, codes de bonne conduite, ingénieurs d'études, éthique, éthique personnelle, éthique professionnelle, responsabilité professionnelle, métreurs-vérificateurs, Afrique du Sud

An opinion survey of South African architects, quantity surveyors, engineers and contractors regarding ethical behaviour within the construction industry reveals that South African contractors seem to possess a reputation for unethical conduct. The range of problems encountered includes collusion, bribery, negligence, fraud, dishonesty and unfair practices. While bribery in the form of payments and gifts is prevalent, fraud does not appear to be as serious a problem. Most construction professionals believe that the industry suffers from unfair tendering practices, as well as over‐claiming and/or withholding payment for service delivery. Negligence arises mainly from poor documentation and poor workmanship. Incidents of collusive tendering encompass cover pricing and bid cutting by contractors, while the primary form of fraudulent behaviour is deceit and misinformation. The Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development's bribery codes conditions could be used to counter unethical behaviour in the construction industry.

In a prospective study 69 carpal and digital ganglions were aspirated, multiply punctured, and digitally ruptured. Fifty percent of the wrists and digits were immobilized for 3 weeks and 50% were mobilized early. Follow-up was 1 year. Immobilization in our study did not significantly improve the results of treatment. During the course of the study, 51% of all ganglions did not recur. The outcome was successful in 52% of the wrists and digits that were immobilized and in 50% of those that were not. Forty-six percent of the dorsal carpal ganglions did not recur. Treatment was successful in 48% of dorsal carpal ganglions in which the wrists were immobilized and in 45% of those that were not. Similar percentages were found for palmar and digital ganglions. From our results, we conclude that immobilization does not significantly improve the successful treatment of ganglions over perforation and aspiration alone.