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 OSHA 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.