Ex-OSHA official alleges revenge

Bob Whitmore, a former federal OSHA official who contends the government has allowed companies to underreport workplace injuries, has filed a complaint alleging he was fired from his job in retaliation for speaking out about his agency's failings. His whistle-blower complaint is set to be heard by the federal Merit Systems Protection Board in early December. Formerly head of OSHA's record-keeping unit, Whitmore alleges agency officials want to silence his criticism and stop his push for a more aggressive approach with employers who underreport workplace injuries. "When you challenge the agency's motives and integrity, that's heresy," Whitmore said Wednesday. "Obviously I did that. And I've paid the price for doing that."