A laminated busbar assembly includes one or more busbars that are configured to be electrically coupled to a plurality of battery cells, one or more insulative layers arranged adjacent to the one or more busbars, and a steel layer arranged between the one or more busbars and the plurality of battery cells. The steel layer is configured to shield the one or more busbars from a thermal event associated with one or more battery cells of the plurality of battery cells. The thermal event may include a debris, hot gas, sparks, embers, or other emanations. Each of the battery cells each include a respective venting end, where electrical terminals are located, that face the steel layer. The laminated busbar is a stack of layers that can include two busbars that form a DC bus, with insulation arranged between the busbars and between the steel layer and the proximal busbar.