News

Company involved in deadly trench collapse 'endangers workers,' OSHA says

BOSTON — After two workers were killed in a trench collapse last week, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration says the company they worked for is one of their "severe violators."

Atlantic Drain Services has numerous violations and outstanding fines in its history and OSHA calls them "uncooperative."

Two workers were in a 15-foot trench Friday afternoon when it filled with water and collapsed on them, killing both.

Kevin “Chuck” Mattocks and Robert Higgins were both employees of Atlantic Drain Services.

FOX25 found dozens of OSHA violations against the company. Since 2007, they've been cited for 16 serious violations, six repeated violations, and two willful violations.

One violation was specifically for trench safety.

"[Atlantic Drain] endanger[s] workers by committing willful, repeat or failure-to-abate violations," OSHA's Ted Fitzgerald told FOX25.

OSHA is investigating Friday's incident and says its purpose is to determine if any workplace safety standards were violated in connection with it.

The owner of the company told FOX25 they are working with investigators to find out exactly what happened.

The organization says it's too early to estimate a completion of its investigation, but everyone connected to the tragedy has questions.

"It's sad. Because he was an incredible guy," a lifelong friend of Robert Higgins said. "His parents, sister. Everyone is devastated.

Now, Higgins' family wants to know how the company stayed in business as it owns tens of thousands of dollars in fines to OSHA.

Atlantic Drain is one of OSHA's 12 "severe violators" in Massachusetts.

The company's owner, Kevin Otto, does have a construction supervisor license with the state. Officials say that requires passing a test and fulfilling certain training requirements.

Atlantic Drain released the following statement Tuesday:

All of us at Atlantic Drain Service Company are saddened and shocked by the events of Friday, October 21, 2016 that claimed the lives of two friends and employees at a Dartmouth Street site in Boston. We are working closely with the City of Boston, the Boston Police Department, OSHA and other authorities to help determine exactly what happened. We take great pride in ensuring our employees are operating under properly supervised and safe work sites while on any job. In the meantime we are doing what we can to offer support to both families and our other employees. Until the investigations are complete we ask that you respect our privacy and that of the families coping with their losses. 

--------------

RELATED: