OSHA Whistleblower Investigator Blows Whistle on Own Agency

Employee says the federal whistleblower program isn’t protecting whistleblowers or the public

By Vicky Nguyen, Liz Wagner and Felipe Escamilla

For decades, whistleblowers have played a pivotal role in exposing wrongdoing in industries that affect public safety and welfare. NSA leaker Edward Snowden, “Deep Throat” Mark Felt and Enron Corporation’s Sherron Watkins famously blew the whistle on their employers.

The federal government established the Whistleblower Protection Program in the 1970s to shield employees from retaliation when they report wrongdoing or safety hazards in their industry. But insiders say the program is failing the very people it is supposed to protect, and jeopardizing public health and safety in the process.