New campaign to prevent more ceiling tragedies

A comprehensive awareness campaign about the risks of working in ceilings will be launched, following the deaths of three Queenslanders during the rollout of the former Federal Government’s home insulation scheme.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Jarrod Bleijie launched the campaign with Kevin Fuller, whose son Matthew died while installing insulation, and said the move delivered on a key Coronial recommendation.

“The dangers of working in roof spaces need to be well known and clearly understood,” Mr Bleijie said.

“Matthew Fuller, Rueben Barnes and Mitchell Sweeney were young men who were taken from their loved ones by something so preventable.

“We are committed to making Queensland worksites the safest in the country and the legacy of these men will be better safety and awareness about ceiling work.

“We made a promise to Queenslanders at the election that we would restore accountability in government which is why ordering a Coronial inquest into these tragedies was one of our first acts following the 2012 election.

“As well as damning findings about the insulation scheme’s rushed rollout, the Coroner recommended the Government “undertake a public awareness campaign” that would educate homeowners and tradies about the risks of working in roof spaces.

“While we hope the current Royal Commission into Matthew, Rueben and Mitchell’s deaths and the rollout of the former Federal Labor Government’s insulation scheme will bring their family more answers, this is something we can do right now to prevent further tragedies.

“TV, radio, newspaper and billboard ads will hit the airwaves and printers from this weekend, carrying a simple message: “Stay safer up there, switch off down here”.

“There are serious electrical safety risks in our ceilings and the best and simplest way people can make them safer is to turn off all of the main power at the switchboard before climbing up there.

“Free stickers, which will be longstanding reminders about the switch off message, will also soon be rolled out in newspapers and to electrical contractors and hardware stores.

“The stickers are designed for ceiling manholes and switchboards, to make DIY homeowners or tradies stop and think before climbing into a live roof space.

“A series of barbeques at local Mitre 10 stores will also help spread the safe ceiling work message.

“Matthew Fuller’s family had direct input in the development of this campaign and I thank them for their assistance.”

The TV ads and more information on the campaign can be found online at: http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/fair-and-safe-work/electrical-safety/staysaferswitchoff

[ENDS] 16 May 2014    

Media Contact: Ashley McDermid 0412 731 355 or Jaime Wells 0409 624 139