The story cites this as an electrocution but that is terminology normally reserved for fatalities.  It is common for workers in cable lines etc who are used to being “near” powerlines to make a mistake and get into one.
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This story doesn’t say if clothing ignited.  CPS in San Antonio, TX is in arc rated clothing most of the time.  These types of exposures are covered by OSHA 1910.269 and NESC.  Both require hazard assessment.  NESC 2007 requires protection from reasonable estimate of the energy and arc rated clothing.  More later.
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Three primary causes for “manhole explosions” are
1. Ignition of combustible or flammable gases or dusts in the manhole
2. Arc Flash
3. A combination of the two.
By law, gases are monitored and these explosions are fairly rare.  Arc flashes are more common when gases are being monitored. 
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The story says this worker was alive, burned but incoherent.  This is possibly a sign of an arc flash rather than a contact with a powerline.  Many companies and workers don’t really understand the hazards of working near electrical parts or powerlines.
The article calls this an electrocution (which is most commonly defined as fatal electrical contact).  [...]

PP&L has been in arc rated clothing for years.  They, like most electric utilities in the US have a strong arc flash program in place.  In cotton clothing, this worker would likely have never lived.  The right stuff makes a difference but doesn’t always full protect.
The NESC (National Electrical Safety Code) 2007 version requires utilities to [...]

These types of incidents are covered by CALOSHA and NESC. PG&E has a great safety and training program. The investigation will be swift.
Read the article in the SF Chronicle online.
Another article on same fatality.
Another article, same fatality.
Another article, same story.
CalOSHA Confirms PG&E Death.

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“Two NStar workers were hospitalized Friday morning after an overnight fire in a manhole at the corner of Summer and Otis Streets. Both men are at Mass General Hospital, but their conditions are not immediately known. NStar said the men were working in the manhole when an equipment failure sparked the fire. Both streets have been reopened.”

Sad another fatality which used to be common in the US. Grounding has almost totally eliminated these. The US OSHA 1910.269 legally required grounding in most medium voltage to high voltage applications or the worker must consider the conductors energized. Additionally arc rated clothing has been shown to save some shock victims. [...]

ConEd has an exceptional arc flash PPE program. Two injured. One critical according to one report but not critical according to a ConEd report. Most like a manhole arc flash. Standers-by might think the person in the hole was worse off than reality. Arc flashes have substantial smoke which looks [...]

This 2003 article is free with registration to the British Medical Journal. Thought the Brits don’t recognize NFPA 70E they have pretty impeccable results with their methods for electrical safety including “safety by design”. They have required “touch safe” designs installed since 1991 for many applications which makes the average worker much safer [...]