When a car crashed into one of WM New Zealand’s electric trucks in Dunedin last week, the responding fire crew knew exactly what to do. They reached for an orange block attached to the battery pack – a Manual Service Disconnect (MSD) installed by Project Engineer Josh Frankson just six months earlier.
This simple but crucial innovation allowed them to safely disconnect the high-voltage system in seconds.
Working with high-voltage systems on WM New Zealand’s EV fleet requires meticulous attention to safety. Inside these battery systems are busbars – metal strips that carry high-voltage power throughout the system.
While standard safety protocols relied on protective gear during maintenance, Josh saw an opportunity to enhance these precautions. He designed and implemented MSDs to provide an additional layer of protection when disconnecting power in the tight working space around the busbars, making the entire process significantly safer.
Thanks to this innovation, the Fleet team has already installed MSDs across the South Island fleet and is continuing installations throughout the Lower North Island.
Last week’s incident in Dunedin underscored the importance of this initiative—when seconds count, Josh’s innovation helps protect both WM New Zealand teams and emergency responders.
Senior Project Engineer – Electric Vehicle Ashley Davenport says Josh’s retrofitting of MSDs is a great example of proactive engineering—eliminating risks before they become issues.
“He has delivered a cost-effective and practical solution to a gap in EV safety within WM New Zealand’s heavy fleet. Well done, Josh.”
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