A patient handling device (20) includes a controller (44), with a plurality of sensors (54), control panels (68, 70, 72), and lamps (86, 88, 92) electrically connected to 10 the controller (44).-The patient handling device (20) records the normal/desired state of the various components when power is applied. When one of the components goes outside the normal/desired state, the controller (44) issues an alarm. This alarm includes illuminating a plurality of amber alert lamps (86, 88) which can normally be viewed by a user at any position around the outside of the patient handling device (20). The patient 15 handling device (20) also includes a position control (106). This control (106) restricts movement of an upper/fowler portion (32) of the patient handling device (20) in a certain range of angular positions, while permitting movement of the upper portion (32) outside the certain range. A normal lamp (92) is illuminated in the absence of an alarm.
