Overall responsibility for installing safety equipment lies with the Employer, under the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act, 1974. In the case of community schools, community special schools, maintained nursery schools, pupil referral units and voluntary controlled schools the employer is the local authority. For foundation schools, foundation special schools, voluntary-aided schools and some independent schools, the employer is usually the governing body of the school.
The employer has the duty to prepare the overall health and safety plan, ensure its implementation and monitor it. Local authorities have the powers to delegate more detailed planning to schools if they wish, but continue to have ultimate responsibility. The plan is enforceable by the Health and Safety Executive who can take action against the employer.
At construction stage responsibility for planning and specifying appropriate safety equipment, which meets required standards, lies with the employer and their agents (architects or equivalent professional consultants). The responsibility for ensuring equipment is installed accordingly and is working correctly on completion lies with the contractor.