IOHSAD Calls for Urgent Action After Armscor Workplace Tragedy

The Institute for Occupational Health and Safety Development (IOHSAD) extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the two workers who tragically lost their lives in the recent explosion at Armscor Global Defense Inc., a firearms and ammunition manufacturing facility located in Brgy. Fortune, Marikina City. The incident also left another worker injured.

Initial investigations indicate that the explosion was triggered by the ignition of a component called a “primer,” possibly due to static friction. IOHSAD is calling on the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation into this workplace tragedy.

“Exposure to deadly risks must never be normalized, especially in hazardous and high-risk industries like arms and ammunition manufacturing. Companies in these sectors have an even greater responsibility to uphold the life, health, and safety of their workers.” said IOHSAD.

IOHSAD stresses the need for a comprehensive occupational safety and health (OSH) investigation into Armscor. This is not the first incident of its kind at the facility. In February 2024, an earlier explosion at the same company caused a fire and left several workers injured. The recurrence of such incidents raises serious concerns about the company’s compliance with OSH standards and preventive measures.

“There must be accountability. It is not enough to acknowledge the incident. We must investigate potential violations of safety and health standards. If negligence is proven, the company must be held responsible,” IOHSAD asserted.

From January to June 2025, IOHSAD has documented 130 cases of work-related deaths — a grim reflection of ongoing systemic neglect of workers’ safety. These repeated tragedies only strengthen the call to amend the existing OSH Law to give it real power by criminalizing severe OSH violations, especially those resulting in workers’ deaths.

The organization also revealed that all three victims in the Armscor explosion were contractual workers, once again highlighting how contractualization is used to place workers in more dangerous and unprotected conditions.

“Contractual workers are often denied adequate protection and training, yet are assigned to the most hazardous tasks. This practice puts their lives on the line every day,” IOHSAD said.

IOHSAD stands in solidarity with the families of the victims and is ready to provide full support in their pursuit of justice and rightful compensation. At the same time, it remains steadfast in its commitment to push for stronger occupational safety laws, including the criminalization of OSH violations, to ensure that no more lives are lost to workplace tragedies.