Cutting Corners: Deadly Trench Collapse, Millions in Fines

By Tyler Doupe

While it doesn’t quite crack the OSHA Fatal Four, trenching is nonetheless regarded as one of the most dangerous operations within the construction industry. As OSHA notes, “the primary hazard of trenching and excavation work is employee injury from a cave-in.” When laborers are working below the earth’s surface, dirt that previously appeared stable can unexpectedly collapse, leading to serious injury or death with very little warning. A single cubic yard of dirt can weigh roughly as much as a compact car, making trench collapses an often-deadly engulfment hazard.    

A Real-Life Tragedy

On that sobering note, a trenching-related catastrophe recently made headlines in New England. Revoli Construction Co., a Massachusetts water and sewer contractor, is facing millions in fines following a trenching collapse that mortally wounded one worker and left another badly injured. The collapse transpired in November of 2025 in Yarmouth, Massachusetts. A crew was removing soil and installing steel plates when the backfilled sand gave way. 

OSHA launched an investigation following the fatal incident and uncovered a laundry list of compliance violations. They cited seven willful violations, 17 serious violations, and 33 repeat violations.

The Cost of Non-Compliance

The investigation uncovered that the company neglected to provide sufficient cave-in protection, failed to install shoring systems according to design specifications, and utilized damaged protective equipment. The list of violations goes on from there. The investigation additionally determined that the company staged soil piles too close to the excavation edge, didn’t provide workers with a safe exit from the trench, and subjected crew members to fall and electrical hazards during the course of their duties. The company is facing a cumulative total of $4,699,362 in fines related to the incident.

Safety Is Priceless

Although trenching comes with inherent risk, this particular collapse could almost certainly have been prevented if Revoli had adhered to trenching safety standards established by OSHA. While it might seem tempting to cut corners in the name of productivity or cost saving, the consequences of noncompliance always outweigh any perceived gains. This senseless tragedy serves as a reminder of why the right way is always the best way where safety is concerned.

For an in-depth look at proper trenching procedures, check out OSHAcademy Course 802: Trench and Excavation Safety.