Construction Contractor Cited 7 Willful, 33 Repeat Violations After Fatal Cave-in

DOL News Releases

Filed April 1st, 2026

Detected April 2nd, 2026

Summary

OSHA cited Revoli Construction Co. Inc. with $4.6M in proposed penalties after a fatal November 2025 trench collapse in Yarmouth, Massachusetts that killed one worker and seriously injured another. The agency issued 7 willful, 33 repeat, and 17 serious violations for failing to provide safe exits, adequate cave-in protection, proper shoring systems, and maintaining unsafe spoil piles. The employer has 15 business days to comply, request a conference, or contest the findings.

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What changed

OSHA determined that Revoli Construction Co. Inc. violated multiple federal excavation safety standards, including failing to provide safe entry/exit from the trench, lacking adequate cave-in protection, maintaining unsupported underground utilities, placing spoil piles within two feet of the excavation, failing to install a shoring system per design specifications, and using damaged protective equipment. The Nov. 18, 2025 incident resulted in one worker fatality and one serious injury when sandy soil collapsed during steel plate installation work outside the trench.

The employer faces $4,699,362 in proposed penalties and must respond within 15 business days of receiving the citations by either paying the penalties, requesting an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contesting the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Construction firms engaged in trenching and excavation operations should review OSHA's National Emphasis Program on Trenching and Excavation and ensure compliance with required engineering controls.

What to do next

Respond to OSHA citations within 15 business days by paying penalties, requesting an informal conference, or contesting before the OSHRC
Implement proper trench protective systems including adequate cave-in protection and correctly installed shoring per design specifications
Maintain spoil piles at least two feet from excavations and ensure safe worker entry/exit points are provided

Penalties

$4,699,362 in proposed penalties for 7 willful, 33 repeat, and 17 serious violations

Source document (simplified)

News Release

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

Revoli Construction Co. 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.

Agency Occupational Safety & Health Administration Date April 1, 2026 Release Number 26-574-NAT Media Contact: Eric R. Lucero Phone Number 678-237-0630 Email lucero.eric.r@dol.gov Media Contact: Erika Ruthman Phone Number 678-237-0630 Email ruthman.erika.b@dol.gov Media Contact: Juan Rodriguez Phone Number 972-850-4709 Email rodriguez.juan@dol.gov Share This
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