Robert Poljak
Risk & Safety Management Expert
Experience
Independent Risk & Safety Management Expert
- Safety concepts: high-level safety philosophies, active & passive fire protection philosophies and HSE management plans
- Project & engineering management
- Explosion protection & area classification (ATEX)
- Active and passive fire protection system design
- Evacuation & escape route planning
- Lead risk assessment workshops (HAZID, HAZOP and SIL)
- Fire & explosion risk assessments (FERA) and quantitative risk assessments (QRA)
Senior Risk & Safety Management Expert
Lahmeyer International GmbH
- Defined risk & safety management solutions in line with customer expectations, market and sector needs
- Managed multidisciplinary teams (engineering, operations, safety) during project execution phases, ensuring compliance with international standards and timely delivery
- Played key role in engineering review meetings (HAZID, HAZOP, LOPA, design reviews), providing input on system design and operational feasibility
- Defined technical scope and associated resources for risk & safety management solutions
- Coached technical and site teams in risk and safety
- Coached junior safety experts
- Supervised running projects to guarantee quality of deliverables
- Contributed in short & mid–term development by identifying new opportunities
- Performed risk & safety management missions
Senior Safety Engineer
Expleo Germany GmbH
- Created safety concepts, architectures and processes and implemented supplier assessments
- Moderated FMEAs
- Spearheaded implementation of digital permit-to-work systems, automating workflows with IT and engineering
- Fulfilled technically demanding work in customer projects for functional safety and systems engineering
Project Engineer
Albold Consulting GmbH
- Managed projects, performed safety assessments and quality control, and coordinated with customers, test centers and authorities
- Handled approval management tasks for new or modified rail vehicles
- Inspected and implemented safety requirements and conducted functional safety inspections
Senior Safety Engineer
ILF Consulting Engineers
- Developed fire protection & safety design philosophies and specifications, and HSE plans
- Conducted quantitative risk assessments (QRA) and fire & explosion risk assessments (FERA)
- Designed active & passive fire protection systems and fire & gas detection systems, and prepared specifications
- Performed hazardous area classification studies and layouts
- Developed evacuation, escape and rescue philosophies
- Conducted discipline internal checks and interdisciplinary checks
- Participated in engineering review meetings (HAZID, HAZOP, LOPA, design reviews) providing input on system design and operational feasibility
Technical Safety Engineer
Institute for Prevention
- Prepared explosion protection documents and area classification studies
- Designed active & passive fire protection and fire & gas alarm systems
- Participated in client safety reviews (HAZID / HAZOP)
- Maintained and built relations with safety authorities
- Conducted laboratory testing and certification of electrical apparatus for explosive atmospheres
Industries Experience
See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time. Longer bars indicate deeper hands-on experience, while shorter ones reflect targeted or project-based work.
Experienced in Chemical (8 years), Energy (8 years), Construction (8 years), Manufacturing (8 years), Aerospace and Defense (2 years), and Automotive (2 years).
Business Areas Experience
The graph below provides a cumulative view of the freelancer's experience across multiple business areas, calculated from completed and active engagements. It highlights the areas where the freelancer has most frequently contributed to planning, execution, and delivery of business outcomes.
Experienced in Quality Assurance (18.5 years), Product Development (8.5 years), Project Management (2.5 years), and Legal (1 year).
Summary
Robert Poljak is a highly experienced Risk & Safety Management Expert with a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and NFPA Certification as a Fire Protection Specialist. Possessing over 18 years of comprehensive experience across the oil & gas, energy, railway, and automotive industries, with a proven track record of driving cross-disciplinary teams, implementing large-scale operational improvements, and aligning safety with engineering design and execution. Adept at managing complex projects, optimizing systems, and leading multi-disciplinary teams toward technical and operational excellence. Seeking to transition into an Engineering Manager role to leverage deep industry knowledge, project leadership, and strategic planning skills.
He has extensive expertise in functional safety and process hazard analysis, with hands-on experience in preparing and reviewing explosion protection documents, conducting area classification studies, and developing comprehensive HSE plans. Proficient in carrying out quantitative risk assessments (QRA) and fire and explosion risk assessments (FERA), using recognized methodologies and industry-standard tools.
He has demonstrated capability in the design of both active and passive fire protection systems, including preparation of detailed engineering deliverables such as specifications, datasheets, PFDs, and P&IDs. Skilled in fire and gas detection system design, evacuation planning, and escape route layout development in alignment with safety regulations and best practices.
Robert is a valuable contributor to HAZOP, HAZID, and SIL workshops, bringing structured analytical skills and interdisciplinary collaboration to identify and mitigate risks effectively. Proficient in industry-relevant software tools including AutoCAD, Phast, Safiti, Gexcon Effects and Microsoft Office.
He is recognized for a systematic and pragmatic approach to safety engineering, a strong understanding of technical and regulatory frameworks, and a consistent ability to deliver practical, cost-effective safety solutions in high-risk environments.
Skills
Computer Skills:
- Autodesk Autocad – Advanced
- Dnv Gl Phast & Safeti And Gexcon Effects – Advanced
- Ms Office (Word, Excel, Power Point) – Advanced
- Visual Basic For Applications – Advanced
Professional Skills:
- Transferable Engineering Management Skills
- Project Lifecycle Management
- Root Cause Analysis & Problem Solving
- Cross-functional Team Leadership
- Technical Risk Assessment
- Capex/opex Planning
- Fire Risk Assessment: Nfpa Fire Hazard Analysis, F.r.a.m.e., Dow Fire And Explosion Index
- Functional Safety: Iec 61508
- Sil Assessment: Lopa & Risk Graph (Iec 61511-3)
- Fire Extinguishing Systems Design: Nfpa, Ei (Ip) & En
- Hazardous Areas Classification: Iec (En) 60079-10-1, Api Rp 505 & Ei (Ip) 15
- Hse Management Systems: Iso 14001 & Ohsas 18000
- Quality Management Systems: Iso 9001
- Fire And Gas Alarm Design: En 54, Iec (En) 60079-29-2 & Nfpa 72
- Hazop: Iec 61882
- Hazid: Iso 17776
- Fault Tree Analysis: Openfta & Iec 61025
- Quantitative Risk Assessment (Qra)
- Fire And Explosion Risk Assessment (Fera)
Other Trainings:
- Engie Ways Of Leading
- Cybersecurity
- One Engie Safety Induction
- Ethics: Fraud And Corruption - Zero Tolerance
- Ethics: Human Rights At Engie
- Ethics In 4 Clicks
Languages
Education
Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad
Master in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Power Electronics and Electrical Machines · Electrical and Computer Engineering · Novi Sad, Serbia · 7.32
Certifications & licenses
Certified Fire Protection Specialist
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Licensed Engineer - Responsible Designer: Low and Medium Voltage Electrical Installations Design
Serbian Chamber of Engineers
Certificate Of Passing The Professional Examination In The Field Of Fire Protection
Republic of Serbia, Ministry of Interior
Occupational Safety Specialist
Profile
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