my roommate in college worked on the oilfields and it sounds like it’s totally dangerous.
During his short time working there, he
1. Got his teeth knocked out by some machinery that springed back
2. Dislocated his arm
3. Broke his leg.
It doesn’t pay well because it is simple and easy.
Lessons come hard for those that don’t pay attention to the safety orientation films.
There are lots of dangerous jobs.
I worked in a hardwoods sawmill and had a few scary moments and injuries myself.
My cousin worked on an oil well back in the 80's. Got his arm caught in a chain and it was cut off. They were able to reattach it though.
That’s why those oil rig jobs pay well and come with top of the line insurance (life, health, etc.).
Think someone’ll pay $50 per hour to sit at a desk?
Not to be crass, but your roommate sounds totally dangerous. I hope he made a full recovery. Yes, there are hazards, and potentially lethal ones. Knowing the dangers and avoiding/preventing them is part of the job.
It's not for nothing that they call the job position "roughneck".