The holographic safety protocols (also known as mortality failsafes or holodeck safeguards) were a safety subsystem of the holodeck computer and designed to protect the participants of a holoprogram. Safety protocols were present to prevent serious injury of the people inside a simulation. This meant that weapons fired within the simulation would not be able to kill or that the computer could prevent dangerous situations when testing a new ship design. In 2377, the holograms created by a group of Hirogens got control of the system and deactivated the safety protocols. (VOY: "Flesh and Blood")