Mass contractor fined $4.6M after fatal trench collapse

OSHA News Releases

Filed April 1st, 2026

Detected April 2nd, 2026

Summary

OSHA cited Revoli Construction Co. Inc. with $4,699,362 in penalties for 7 willful, 33 repeat, and 17 serious violations following a fatal trench collapse in Yarmouth, MA on Nov. 18, 2025. One worker died and another was seriously injured when workers were trapped in an unprotected trench. The violations include failing to provide safe exit, inadequate cave-in protection, and unsupported underground utilities.

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What changed

OSHA's investigation into the Nov. 18, 2025 incident found that Revoli Construction Co. Inc. workers were removing sandy soil and installing steel plates outside a trench when the backfilled sand collapsed, trapping two workers. One worker sustained fatal injuries. The agency cited the employer with seven willful, 33 repeat, and 17 serious violations totaling $4,699,362 in proposed penalties.

The employer has 15 business days from receipt of citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Construction firms should review their trenching and excavation procedures to ensure compliance with OSHA's National Emphasis Program on Trenching and Excavation and verify all required engineering controls and protective systems are properly installed and maintained.

What to do next

Review trenching and excavation procedures against OSHA standards
Verify all required cave-in protection systems are installed and functional
Ensure spoil piles are maintained at least 2 feet from excavation edges
Confirm workers have safe means of entry and exit from trenches

Penalties

$4,699,362 in proposed penalties (7 willful, 33 repeat, 17 serious violations)

Source document (simplified)

Notice: Information in some news releases may not reflect the current or final status of a case, including, but not limited to, the penalty amount(s) or classification(s).

OSHA National News Release

U.S. Department of Labor
BOSTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a Massachusetts-based water and sewer line construction contractor for willfully and repeatedly exposing workers to safety hazards in a trench collapse in November 2025 that claimed the life of an employee and seriously injured another at a Yarmouth worksite.

April 1, 2026

US Department of Labor cites construction contractor with 7 willful, 33 repeat violations after fatal Yarmouth cave-in

Revoli Construction Inc. assessed $4.6M in proposed penalties

BOSTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a Massachusetts-based water and sewer line construction contractor for willfully and repeatedly exposing workers to safety hazards in a trench collapse in November 2025 that claimed the life of an employee and seriously injured another at a Yarmouth worksite.

The department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigation into the Nov. 18, 2025, incident found that workers from Revoli Construction Co. Inc. were removing sandy soil and installing steel plates outside of a trench. While working, the backfilled sand collapsed and trapped two workers inside the trench. One worker was engulfed and sustained fatal injuries.

'"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.'"

The agency cited the employer with seven willful citations, 33 repeat, and 17 serious violations for:

Failing to provide workers with a safe way to exit the trench.
Lack of adequate cave-in protection.
Having unsupported underground utilities.
Maintaining spoil piles within two feet of an excavation.
Neglecting to install a shoring system per the design.
Using a damaged protective system.
Exposing employees to numerous electrical and fall hazards. In total, the agency assessed Revoli Construction Co. Inc. $4,699,362 in proposed penalties to address the violations.

The employer has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Learn more about OSHA, including how to protect employees engaged in trenching and excavation work. OSHA's National Emphasis Program on Trenching and Excavation addresses the agency's efforts to identify and reduce hazards which are causing or likely to cause serious injuries and fatalities during trenching and excavation operations. Employers can contact the agency for free compliance assistance and resources.