YARMOUTH, Mass. — A Massachusetts-based contractor is facing steep federal penalties following a fatal trench collapse that has renewed scrutiny on excavation safety practices across the construction industry.
The U.S. Department of Labor has proposed $4.6 million in fines against Revoli Construction Co., citing what regulators describe as willful and repeated safety violations tied to a deadly incident that occurred in November 2025 on Cape Cod. The enforcement action, announced April 1, follows an extensive investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
The incident resulted in the death of 61-year-old worker Miguel Reis and left another employee seriously injured. According to federal investigators, both workers were trapped when a trench collapsed during excavation work in Yarmouth.
OSHA’s findings point to a pattern of serious safety failures at the jobsite. The agency issued seven willful violations, 33 repeat violations and 17 serious violations, citing hazards that included inadequate cave-in protection, unsafe access and egress from the trench, and the presence of unsupported underground utilities.
Investigators said workers were removing sandy soil and installing steel plates near the trench when backfilled material gave way, engulfing those inside. OSHA also noted that spoil piles were placed too close to the excavation, increasing the risk of collapse, and that a required shoring system was either improperly installed or absent altogether.
Additional violations included the use of a damaged protective system and exposure to electrical and fall hazards, underscoring what officials described as a broad disregard for standard safety protocols.
“This cave-in is a solemn reminder of the dangers construction workers face when basic safety procedures and safe engineering solutions are ignored,” U.S. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer said in a statement. “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 scale of the penalties reflects the severity and frequency of the violations, as well as the agency’s determination that many of the hazards were avoidable through compliance with established safety standards.
Trench collapses remain one of the most dangerous types of construction incidents, often occurring suddenly and with little warning. OSHA regulations require protective systems such as trench boxes, sloping or shoring for excavations deeper than five feet, along with safe entry and exit points for workers. Failure to implement these measures significantly increases the likelihood of injury or death.
The case also highlights ongoing challenges in ensuring consistent safety compliance across job sites, particularly in high-risk activities like excavation and underground utility work. Industry experts note that repeat violations can indicate systemic issues within a company’s safety culture, including inadequate training, supervision or enforcement of safety procedures.
Revoli Construction has not publicly responded to the citations. Under federal law, the company has 15 business days to request an informal conference with OSHA or formally contest the findings before an independent federal commission.
For construction firms nationwide, the case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to safety regulations and investing in proper training and equipment. As enforcement actions increase, contractors face not only financial penalties but also reputational damage and potential project disruptions.
Federal officials continue to emphasize that trench safety is a well-understood area of risk, with clear guidelines designed to prevent exactly the type of tragedy seen in this case. The outcome of OSHA’s enforcement process will be closely watched by industry stakeholders as regulators maintain pressure on employers to prioritize worker safety.
This article is based on reporting by Justin Rice, originally published by Engineering News-Record (ENR).
Read the original article here: https://www.enr.com
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