Eliminating and controlling risks to health and safety ‘at the source’, as early as possible in the life cycle of work, workplaces and equipment used, is a well recognised strategy for preventing or minimising occupational fatalities, injuries and ill-health. For plant, including machinery, equipment, appliances, implements and tools, a ‘safe design’ approach involves addressing OHS in the upstream phases of procurement, design, manufacture, import, supply, installation, erection and commissioning. The principal focus of this paper is the preventive obligations of upstream duty holders under Australian OHS statute law.