Dock levelers and bridge plates are common transition facilities between warehouse fixed loading platforms and truck cargo beds, creating a temporary connected surface for electric pallet trucks to finish cross-platform material transportation. Improper operation in this specific scenario is a common hidden risk in daily material handling links, so following standardized operating procedures can effectively avoid slippage, rollover or unnecessary facility damage, and protect operational safety of both staff and goods.

Before the electric pallet truck enters the area near dock levelers or bridge plates, operators need to complete three core pre-operation checks first. First, confirm the total weight of the loaded goods plus the pallet truck itself does not exceed the rated load capacity of the corresponding dock leveler or bridge plate, avoid overloading that causes irreversible deformation of transition facilities. Second, check the surface of the facilities to clear away scattered debris, accumulated rainwater or residual oil stains that may reduce tire friction, and confirm the locking structure of dock levelers or bridge plates is fully fastened, with no obvious abnormal gap between two ends of the transition board and the platform or truck cargo bed. Third, adjust the running speed of the electric pallet truck to the lowest gear in advance, keep the loaded goods as low to the ground as possible to maintain stable center of gravity of the whole vehicle.

When the electric pallet truck is about to drive onto the transition surface, operators should keep the vehicle running in a straight line consistent with the extending direction of dock levelers or bridge plates. Do not turn direction, shift goods position or brake suddenly during the whole passing process. Do not park the electric pallet truck on the transition surface for a long time without special operation needs, and do not stack idle goods or other sundries on dock levelers or bridge plates in daily use. For transition facilities with obvious slope, operators should keep the driving direction parallel to the slope trend, avoid transverse driving on the slope surface that may trigger sideslip risk. When multiple pallet trucks work in the same loading area, keep sufficient safe distance between vehicles, never squeeze onto the same dock leveler or bridge plate at the same time.

After the electric pallet truck completely leaves the transition area and fully arrives at the fixed warehouse platform or the flat interior of the truck cargo bed, operators can gradually adjust the vehicle speed to the normal running state according to the actual road condition. After finishing all handling tasks of the work shift, relevant management staff need to check the reset state of dock levelers and bridge plates, confirm no abnormal wear or structural damage is found on the facility surface, and record found hidden risks in time for follow-up maintenance arrangement. Regular targeted safety training for frontline operators can also help consolidate correct operation habits, reduce misoperation probability, and support the long-term stable safety of the whole loading and unloading working scene.