Good workplace safety practices are not just the right thing to do, but can also help firms succeed, Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin said on Friday at the annual bizSAFE convention.

Good workplace health and safety (WSH) improves employee retention and performance, improves operational efficiency, and enhances firms' reputations, he said.

Mr Tan also shared the results of Operation Talon, a series of WSH inspections in late 2012.

The checks on 529 worksites of 378 companies resulted in 27 stop-work orders and 1,093 fines and notices of non-compliance, totalling more than $350,000.