Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer

This was in response to the Quebec Bridge Disaster in which 75 workmen died due to faulty engineering calculations and miscommunication.

[2] The ritual was created in 1922 by Rudyard Kipling at the request of Haultain, representing seven past-presidents of the Engineering Institute of Canada.

Fairbairn met with Harry F. McLean, president of Dominion Construction and Kipling in Montreal at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel to discuss the details of the ritual.

The Ritual and the conferring of the Iron Ring continues to be administered by The Corporation of the Seven Wardens Inc./Société des Sept Gardiens inc. through camps[7] associated with the universities granting degrees in engineering in Canada.

Following the Obligation, the Iron Ring is placed on the little finger of the working hand,[3] and is worn by the engineer as a symbol and a reminder.

Designer Darrell Freeman's "head-to-foot" layout incorporates the symbolic iron ring that is presented as part of the ceremony.

The Corporation of the Seven Wardens (French: Société des Sept Gardiens) is the body that holds the rights and the duty to carry out The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer.

I (long dotted space for name) in the presence of these my betters and my equals in my Calling, bind myself upon my Honor 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. (paragraph break) MY TIME I will not refuse; my Thought I will not grudge; my Care I will not deny toward the honor, use, stability and perfection of any works to which I may be called to set my hand. (paragraph break) 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 jealously and the belittling of my professional colleagues in any field of their labour. (paragraph break) 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 restraint.
The obligation spoken at the Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer
Iron Rings are presented to those who have undergone the ritual.