I found this picture up on facebook. here is the caption.

Safety inspector says "you know you have to be 17' from those power lines" I say it looks like 17 you should climb up and measure in between them... he left lol

Actually it's 20' now.

And the rule is really,the boom can't reach within 17' or 20'.

ha, ha ha, hahaha, haha okklol.  the boom cant get any lower than 3.8 m

Thats right rusty. Been saying that for many times but a lot of people only hear what they want to hear. The stuff on this picture is according to the real rules totaly wrong and very forbidden.. But even on a powerstation where all the experts are walking around we were alowed to do something like this. It was a 11m high sliding form and only for the last 3m they shut of the power.. These powerlines were so massive... They suplied the whole city 800.000 people with electricity..

I think that if nobody sticks to the rules not even the people that make the rules than its maybe better to change them..

BTW - Those transmission lines above and behind the pump probably require more than 20'.

It doesnt say your boom cant reach the 20', it says if your boom can get in the "danger zone" you must have a dedicated spotter.

Approved 10/13/06
Revised 03.11

AMERICAN CONCRETE
PUMPING ASSOCIATION

Position Paper

Operation Of Concrete Pump Placing Booms
When Power Lines Are Present


Contact with high-voltage power lines is the most common cause of fatal and serious
accidents related to the operation of concrete pump placing booms. It is the position of
the American Concrete Pumping Association that placing booms shall never be operated
within 20 feet (50 feet when the voltage exceeds 350kv) of energized overhead power
lines (the danger zone). Power line injuries can only be eliminated with the cooperation
of everyone on the job site. Each party has responsibilities, as follows:

The pumping company has the responsibility to:
Train their people in the severity of the hazard, how to identify power lines,
and what options are available to avoid the danger zone.
Empower their operators to refuse to operate the boom in the danger zone.

The operator has the responsibility to:
Maintain a 20-foot distance (50 feet when the voltage exceeds 350kv) from
energized overhead power lines.
Insist on a dedicated spotter if the boom will be near the danger zone during
operation.

The contractor/customer has the responsibility to:
Provide a setup location that does NOT have overhead power lines within 20
feet (50 feet when the voltage exceeds 350kv) of the unfolding placing boom.
Provide a dedicated spotter if there are power lines within 20 feet (50 feet
when the voltage exceeds 350kv) of any expected boom movement area.
Train the spotter of the severity of the hazard, what the job duties of a spotter
entail, and how far 20 feet (50 feet when the voltage exceeds 350kv) is.
Train their employees regarding the dangers of working near high-voltage
power lines and the precautions that must be employed to avoid them.
Provide adequate lighting if pump setup, operation, or cleanout will happen
during darkness. Approved 10/13/06
Revised 03.11
Notify the pumping company that power lines are present on their job when
ordering the pump, and remind the operator upon arrival.
Maintain an OSHA compliant job site.

Who's that?? Do they make the legaly binding rules for the US?? We have different rules her.. Besided the manufacturer has different rules. Take a look at all the warning signs on your pump and you will find one or two about powerlines. 

The reason why you are not alowed to even be able to get too close is that its very hard to see how much distance you have to them. Sometimes it can look like you have loads of space but you don't or the other way round.

Why don't they just pour out of ready mix truck? Oh wait I see it now. They would HIT the electric line with their truck.

Change the mix to 1/2 inch and use a line pump