Bob Whitmore, a former federal OSHA official who contends the government has allowed companies to under report 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 under report 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."

Attorneys for Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, a nonprofit that advocates for state and federal government workers, will represent Whitmore for free.