A surgical table for supporting a patient, the surgical table including:a base assembly (3); a table top (1) for supporting a patient thereon, the table top (1) being moveable with respect to the base assembly (3); at least one actuator (13) for controlling the position of the table top (1) with respect to the base assembly (3); and an overload detection means for detecting when the surgical table is overloaded, the overload detection means including a sensor (25) for sensing a parameter of the surgical table such as hydraulic fluid pressure in the actuator (13), wherein the overload detection means emits a signal if the parameter sensed exceeds a predetermined value, due to the weight and/or position of the patient on the table top (1).