(AP) — Federal regulators have sided with an engineer who was fired for reporting unsafe conditions created by a contractor at the Wolf Creek nuclear power plant in eastern Kansas.

Attorneys said Friday the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ordered Enercon Services, of Kennesaw, Ga., to reinstate the whistleblower to his job at Wolf Creek with back pay. OSHA also ordered the engineering firm to pay $50,650 in damages plus attorneys’ fees and costs.

Enercon and Wolf Creek did not immediately return phone messages. OSHA declined comment.

The dispute stems from a trench dug directly over piping that circulates water to cool the plant. The engineer found it was too close to the pipes and refused to sign off on a plan that would have jeopardized the integrity of the pipes.