A joint project from Hartlepool Council and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has led to advice and guidance being offered to 85 businesses in the area, public liability insurance holders have been told.
Following this, 12 firms were served with enforcement notices, while 22 improvement notices were also handed out.
Work was also prohibited at two companies in relation to unguarded dangerous machinery.
Jonathan Wills, HSE inspector, said that preventing an accident occurring is much better than having to deal with the consequences.
"We’re very pleased to see that the health and safety message is getting through in Hartlepool and a majority of businesses are taking the necessary steps to ensure a safe and healthy environment for their employees," he added.
Earlier this month, it was found that almost a third of construction sites visited in Nottinghamshire during March failed safety expectations, with 21 enforcement notices being issued in the county.