Electrical safety ads making tradies switch mains off

The Queensland Government's advertising campaign - Stay safer up there, switch off down here - urging people to turn off the mains power before entering a ceiling space has hit home with tradies and home occupiers alike.

The advertising campaign ran in response to a coronial inquest into the deaths of three young Queensland insulation workers on the federal government's home insulation program.

Independent market research conducted after the adverts ran on TV and radio in June found that since seeing the ads, 82% of home occupiers and 92% of non-electrical tradespeople would now turn off the power at the mains switch before entering a ceiling space.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland head Dr Simon Blackwood said the campaign delivered a very strong, clear and simple message.

"Overall, the campaign has changed attitudes to electrical safety in the roof spaces of Queensland homes. People better understand the risks that are up there, and how simple it is to mitigate many of those risks," Dr Blackwood said.

"Since the adverts aired, more people are now turning off or telling others to turn off the power before going up into the roof."