To provide a panel carrying apparatus for carrying a workpiece to the next process, which apparatus can surely hold the panel, and does not deteriorate the gripping force and the return action of a gripping mechanism even after the gripping mechanism has been repeatedly used.

The panel carrying apparatus 1 is composed of grips 8, 9 for gripping the end portions of the workpiece, an opening and closing mechanism 10 for opening and closing the grips, and a supporting member 6 which supports the grips and the opening and closing mechanism, and carries the panel to the next process, and returns the panel to the original position, wherein the opening and closing mechanism 10 comprises a closing means 12 for gripping the workpiece by closing the grips 8, 9 by the advance of a driving means 11 provided in the opening and closing mechanism, and also a forced returning means 13 for releasing the workpiece by forcedly opening the grips 8, 9 by the withdraw of the driving means 11.