Abstract
PURPOSE: This study investigates occupational health compliance in post-industrial urban areas, focusing on noise hazards within Guangzhou's Tianhe District (2020-2024). We propose two novel concepts: the Credit-Frequency Compliance Paradox, where small enterprises exhibit unexpectedly higher hazard-monitoring compliance compared to larger firms under hybrid governance; and Dual-Track Hazard Evolution, highlighting simultaneous declines in conventional occupational hazards (dust) and rises in emerging risks (noise and unique chemical exposures). METHODS: Using data from the "Guangdong Province Occupational Health Quality Control Platform," we analyzed monitoring coverage rates, enterprise exceedance rates, and hazard exceedance rates, stratified by enterprise size and industry. RESULTS: Small and micro enterprises showed higher periodic monitoring coverage (47.35-50.60%) than large and medium-sized firms (22.22-24.18%) (χ(2)_trend = 16.987, p < 0.001), validating the Compliance Paradox. Although overall hazard exceedance rates significantly decreased annually (χ(2)_trend = 4.965-10.386, p < 0.05), critical subsector hazards persisted: 75.00% silica dust in clay brick and block manufacture and 12.50% chemical exceedances in unclassified service industries. Noise was the predominant physical hazard, impacting large enterprises (12.80% exceedance) and scientific research and technical services sectors [median: 81.60 dB(A)], where exceedance rates surged from 2.04 to 37.50% (χ(2)_trend = 14.318, p < 0.001) and noise intensity markedly increased (Jonckheere-Terpstra = 2532.000, p < 0.001) from 2020-2024. Significant variation existed across enterprise sizes (H = 55.140, p < 0.001) and industries (H = 254.964, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study provides empirical support for the Credit-Frequency Compliance Paradox and documents Dual-Track Hazard Evolution-traditional occupational hazards decline while novel risks emerge in high-tech and service sectors. Although these frameworks originate from a single region, they may still offer preliminary insights into occupational health governance in other post-industrial urban contexts before being validated in diverse geographical and economic settings.