As somebody who is required to write and execute clearances for this type of work, this type of accident is entirely preventable. We write clearances to either 'work near' or 'work on' equipment or lines. If his clearance (assuming he had one) was to work on the line (or even it's support structure) it should have been open and grounded. If his clearance was to work near the line he should not get close enough to touch it with anything, and should not have even had any tools long enough to reach the lines from his work position.
Based on what this article says either he exceeded his clearance or did not have the proper clearance for the type of work he was doing.
As the bumpersticker says - If its not grounded, its not dead.
BTW great site here, and Safteng is another great one too, very informative and interesting.
