Fatal trench collapse in Mass. leads to $4.6 million OSHA penalty, dozens of violations
(UI) — The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a Massachusetts-based water and sewer contractor following a fatal trench collapse in Yarmouth, issuing dozens of violations and proposing $4.6 million in penalties.
An investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found that workers employed by Revoli Construction Co. Inc. were performing excavation work in sandy soil when a trench collapsed on Nov. 18, 2025. Two workers were trapped; one was engulfed and died, while the other was seriously injured.
According to OSHA, crews were removing soil and installing steel plates outside the trench when backfilled sand gave way and collapsed into the excavation.
The agency issued seven willful violations, 33 repeat violations and 17 serious violations tied to trenching and excavation safety failures.
“These cave-in incidents are among the most dangerous hazards in underground construction, particularly when proper protective systems are not in place,” OSHA officials said in detailing the findings.
Violations cited by OSHA include failure to provide a safe means of egress from the trench, inadequate cave-in protection, unsupported underground utilities, and spoil piles placed too close to the excavation. Investigators also found that a required shoring system was not installed according to design and that a damaged protective system was used. Additional hazards included electrical and fall risks.
“This cave-in is a solemn reminder of the dangers construction workers face when basic safety procedures and safe engineering solutions are ignored. Through our trench safety initiatives, the Department of Labor remains committed to ensuring every worker returns home safe at the end of the day,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “We will continue holding employers accountable and providing resources dedicated to hazard training and required engineering controls to put a stop to these preventable tragedies.”
OSHA assessed $4,699,362 in proposed penalties against the contractor.
The company has 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA, or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
The agency said trenching and excavation hazards remain a key enforcement priority under its National Emphasis Program, which targets conditions likely to cause serious injuries or fatalities.
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