It's been revealed the meerkats which feature in WorkSafe's health and safety ads are computer-generated creations with a 400 thousand dollar price tag for taxpayers

The animals are a key part of a 2.7 million dollar campaign to improve workers' awareness of risks in the workplace.

In the ads the meerkats emerge as danger approaches, appearing to show how their animal instincts recognise threats early - the sort of response WorkSafe wants among workers.

WorkSafe chief executive Phil Parkes says they are confident the benefits considerably outweigh the amount spent.

An upcoming seatbelt campaign will feature the meerkats, as would other WorkSafe messaging in the future.