I am calling on the expertise of the operators on this site What would you say is the minimum safe distance to be working near hydro lines that are live and have 240000 volts in them

1 clear sky

2 low humidity

3 ground stone covered marsh land with water near the surface.

4.Lines above your head are grounded and shut down and 20 feet above you.

5. The major issue I had was live lines were about 16 to 20 feet away with 2400000 volts in them and the ground was soft marsh land with stone on the surface but water was under the stone.

6 I was going to use rubber hose and run it along the ground but I was affraid with mosture present and the fact  the rubber lines still have the steel mesh in them.

7 The truck would have been grounded

I refused to do it did I make the right or wrong choice.

I think you made the right call. You were uncomfortable about the situation. There was a clear and present danger. Don't forget the 17' rule. I would rather refuse a job than not go home! You are running the equipment and it is your call! Did they get the placement done? How much trouble did you get in at the shop?

17 foot rule does not apply here in Canada, it is 7 metres (23 feet)