No traversing part of a self-acting machine in any factory and no material carried thereon shall, if the space over which it runs is a space over which any person is liable to pass, whether in the course of hi s employment or otherwise, be allowed to run on its outward or inward traverse within a distance of1[forty-five centimetres] from any fixed structure which is not part of the machine:
Provided that the Chief Inspector may permit the continued use of a machine installed before the commencement of this Act which does not comply with the requirements of this section on such conditions for ensuring safety as he may think fit to impose.
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1. Substituted by Act 20 of 1987, section 11, for "eighteen inches" ( w.e.f. 1-12-1987) .