Zuni Stone Fetish Carving:
Zuni Stone FetishCarving:The Hazards associated with keeping an
economy alive.
The History Behind the Stone Fetish Carving
Stone fetish carvings are believed to be ancient animals turned
into stone that hold certain powers when blessed.
The Meaning of the Stone Fetish Carvings Acquired Wolves:
Protective & hunting animal of the East-Teacher, path finder on
the never ending journey for survival.
The Meaning of the Stone Fetish Carvings Acquired Owl:Keeper of
the night, controls the dark side of nature, wise, smart, patient,
& enduranceof the mind.
The Meaning of the Stone Fetish Carvings Acquired Mountain
Lion:Protective & hunting animal of the North. Protects
travelers & considered elder brother of all the other
protective and hunting animals.
Michael Mahooty: The Artisan
1 of the 600 fetish carvers on the Zuni reservation.
Income relies on the sales of his well carved stone
fetishes.
Michael Mahootys Work Shop Hazards Loss of Limb
Eye Hazards
Harm from Particular Matter
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Hearing Loss
Environmental Degradation
Loss of Limbs, Cuts, & Pinch Hazards Slipping and cutting
off a finger or hand during the stone cutting process by using
rotatory saw. Pinching, cutting, or loss of limb during the
grinding and shaping of the stone process by use of
grinder.Pinching or cutting during the buffing/polishing of the
stone process by use of buffer.
Eye Hazards Loss of eye, cuts to eye, and extreme irritation.
Stone could break off and fly into the eye. Dust created by the
process will get into the eye without proper PPE causing eye
irritation.
Particular Matter Hazards Silicosis- Chronic Silicosis,
Accelerated Silicosis, & Acute Silicosis Pneumoconiosis- The
scar tissue that develops impairs the ability of the lungs to
function properly.Irritation- Inflammation and swelling of the
mucous membranes & rashes developing on the skin.
Musculoskeletal DisordersVibration-induced white finger (VWF)
Raynaud's phenomenonHand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome
Hearing Loss Permanent Hearing loss can occur with prolonged to
exposure to 90 Decibels or more.
Environmental Degradation Potential environmental impacts from
dust include: surface and groundwater quality deterioration, soil
contamination, toxicity to soil and water biota, air pollution,
accumulation in soils, changes in hydrologic characteristics of the
soils, and impacts on native flora and fauna populations.
Mitigation Guards when plausible and Gloves when not. NIOSH
approved respirator to protect lungs & Ear Plugs to protect
hearing. Local Exhaust System to rid the air of dust.Tribal Funding
in order to protect livelihood, prevent loss of life and
disease.
Works Cited
Health in Lapidary. Miner Matters. 8 April 2015. More on
(traditional) stone carving and lung hazards HazArt. Biocultural
Science and Management. 8 April 2015. Occupational Injuries and
Illnesses in OSHA Region 10: Safety and Health Surveillance
Indicators 2000-2005. University of Washington. OSH Answers Fact
Sheets. Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety. 8 April
2015. OSHA Fact Sheet. OSHA. 8 April 2015. Potential Environmental
Impacts of Dust Suppressants: Avoiding Another Times Beach. EPA.8
April 2015. TRADITIONAL SCULPTURE HAZARDS. The University of
Illinois at Chicago. 8 April 2015.
Why is Silica Hazardous? Work Safety with Silica. 8 April
2015.
