What type of material should be checked for during rig setup?

When setting up a rig, it is essential to check for buried materials. This is crucial for several reasons. Buried materials can pose significant safety risks, including the potential for hitting underground utilities, such as gas, water, or electrical lines, which could lead to accidents, downtime, or damage to infrastructure. Additionally, buried materials may include environmental considerations, such as chemical hazards or sensitive archaeological sites, that must be taken into account to comply with regulations and protect the environment.

While loose debris, nearby wildlife, and plastic tarps may be relevant considerations in specific contexts, they do not carry the same level of risk associated with buried materials. Loose debris might create tripping hazards, wildlife could pose concerns for safety or ecological disruption, and plastic tarps may simply be a matter of maintaining site organization. However, the presence of buried materials is a critical factor that could directly impact the safety and success of the drilling operation.