OSHA fines Revoli Construction $4.7 million for fatal trench collapse

OSHA recently cited Revoli Construction Co. Inc. for willfully and repeatedly exposing workers to safety hazards in a fatal Nov. 2025 trench collapse.

The incident killed Miguel Reis, a 61-year old worker from Fall River, Massachusetts, and seriously injured another at a South Yarmouth worksite.

Sewer installation along central arteries

Cape Cod is a low-lying, sandy glacial outwash known for its expansive salt marshes and wetlands, which are critical habitats for local wildlife.

In 2023, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) changed its Title V Septic regulations, designating the central and southern regions of the Upper, Mid, and Lower Cape as Nitrogen Sensitive Areas.

Since 2024, the town of Yarmouth has been installing wastewater sewer lines as part of a 40-year, eight-phase improvement project to address nitrogen pollution in sensitive watersheds.

“We’re doing this for environmental reasons, essentially targeting nitrogen in our sensitive estuaries. And in Yarmouth that is Lewis Bay, Parker’s River, and the Bass River,” said Jeff Colby, Yarmouth public works director, in an NPR interview.

Phase 1, which is currently in progress, is expected to be completed by the end of 2027 for service to begin in 2028. The phase was divided into six contracts.

This phase includes sewer installation along:

• State Route 28 - a central east-west traffic corridor
• Old Main Street - a core road through downtown serving homes, schools, and businesses
• South Shore Drive - a key road serving south-facing beaches between Parker’s River and Bass River

The trench collapse occurred on South Shore Drive.

The town is also repairing water mains, and National Grid is replacing natural gas supply lines, while Phase 1 and adjacent roads are under construction.

Backfilled sand collapsed, trapping two workers

OSHA’s investigation into the Nov. 18, 2025 incident found workers from the water and sewer line construction contractor 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,'" said Lori Chavez-DeRemer, U.S. secretary of labor. “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."

Shoring design not installed, protection system damaged

The agency cited the employer with seven willful citations, 17 serious, and 33 repeat 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 $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 (OSHRC).

Previous citations at same site for trench, electrocution hazards

OSHA inspected Revoli Construction sites seven times in the past 10 years, including an inspection down the street from the accident site in May 2024 for trench safety issues.

In Dec. 2024, OSHA fined the company $13,240 - later reduced to $6,950 - for not having a safety inspection program at the South Shore Drive project. Investigators also found electrical extension cords with indoor-rated connectors left lying on wet ground, exposing employees to arc flash, electrical burns, electric shock, and electrocution hazards.

In Aug. 2023, OSHA fined the company $16,875 - later reduced to $5,625 - for allowing employees to work inside an unprotected trench without a means of egress at a Littleton, Mass. worksite. The agency also responded to a trench safety complaint at a Quincy, Mass. site in 2018.