The title is not very descriptive but I would like to discuss some bad things that can happen while drilling and address how some of these mishaps can be avoided. A drilling rig can be a hazardous tool by itself in untrained or careless hands, but even if extreme care is taken to avoid hazards above ground, there are many potential hazards we cannot see below ground. I've only been around drilling rigs a short time (25 years) compared to many of you. I'm sure all of my stories can be topped, but I have personally experienced and heard of many accidents that could have been avoided if a little extra caution had been taken, particularly during the first few feet of drilling.
Many of us know or have heard of drillers and/or helpers that have been killed. Some of the more dangerous conditions that can be encountered during drilling include underground fuel tanks, high pressure gas lines, high voltage electrical lines, and lost circulation zones which can catastrophically collapse and consume a whole drill rig (and crew) in minutes.