A former worker at the Fukushima nuclear plant has filed a lawsuit, alleging the operator sent crews into highly radioactive areas without proper protection.

The Associated Press is reporting the former worker, identified only as Shinichi, is alleging that crews were not given adequate protection or warnings by TEPCO, the operator of the Fukushima plant.

He says TEPCO knew the risks posed by highly radioactive water that was pooling in the reactor buildings, but he claims the company sent crews into the flooded areas anyway.

The former worker says this led to radiation injuries.

He has now filed a legal complaint with Japan's labour office seeking an improvement of safety standards.