Dangerous decibels in blacksmith and metal fabrication workshop in Ho Municipality: Emerging threats to cochlear health and the sustainable solutions

Occupational noise exposure remains a major public health concern, particularly in informal sectors like blacksmith and metal fabrication workshops where protective measures are often ignored. Blacksmiths and metal fabricators are frequently exposed to dangerous decibels emanating from hammering, moulding or grinding metals typically exceeding safe limits of 85 dB(A) which pose emerging threats to cochlear health. This paper presents emerging threats to cochlear health and its sustainable solutions among blacksmiths and metal fabricators in Ho Municipality.