Rescue Talk™
Incident Report – A Solemn Reminder
Massachusetts-based construction contractor assessed $4.6M in proposed penalties.
OSHA has cited a water and sewer line construction contractor for willfully and repeatedly exposing workers to trench hazards. Proposed penalties of $4.6M were assessed against the company in a trench collapse in 2025 that claimed the life of an employee and seriously injured another at a Yarmouth worksite.
OSHA’s investigation into the incident found that workers 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 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.”
A total of $4,699,362 in proposed penalties was issued against the company placing emphasis on these careless and fatal trenching hazards.
According to OSHA, the agency cited the employer with seven willful citations, 33 repeat, and 17 serious violations including:
- 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.
Trenches and excavations are witnessed daily from local neighborhoods to large construction sites. Far too often, carelessness results in needless injuries and deaths. Another important question to consider is whether or not the emergency responders have the training or equipment to deal with such an emergency. Extreme caution must be taken – especially when dealing with a trench that is already very unstable.
