Aye, I have been working on drilling rigs for 13 years (boy that makes me feel old!). It is not my dream job but without it we would have struggled to be able to buy our land.
I guess it is human nature but you don't worry about the risks until you see or hear of something going wrong. Had to watch a safety video yesterday about a guy who mangled his hand, only when it started did I realise that I had worked with him less than a year ago.
Things (in the North Sea) are a lot safer than they were even 15 years ago due to tighter legislation and changing attitudes. I am glad I was not working pre 1990!