It is unfortunate to hear of loss of life that resulted from working on or near electrical systems. Hopefully, others around him can learn specific procedures to reduce the liklihood that it does not happen to others doing similar work.
Lines and other conductive objects may acquire dangerous potential from
electrostatic [capacitive] and/or electromagnetic [Inductive] effects in proximity to lines or other gear, or may be affected by lightning or associated weather conditions related to storm activity.
Very specific, carefully studied forms of protective grounding can be applied to limit contact hazards, but nothing should be attempted without careful review and acceptance by your employer.
On the North American continent, there are mandatory rules such as those in OSHA 29 CFR 1910.269 that apply to electric-utility and non-utility workers that are in proximity to electrical transmission and distribution systems. There is no substitute for years of formal training and closely supervised experience that eventually make a person qualified to do work that elsewise can be very dangerous.
Due to the extreme hazards involved, you should in no way attempt to reproduce aspects of the accident nor conduct any sort of tests, but study and learn from others’ formal work and published data regarding the events that ended your associate’s life. The hazardous conditions that led to the accident may have been of a transient nature, and be very difficult to measure except under tightly controlled and well understood circumstances.
Appropriate action now may be to assist public occupational-safety officials that are responsible for investigating the incident.
