The secondary danger area in the Cone Safety Distance Zone (SDZ) is critical for understanding the potential risks associated with firing operations. This area is specifically designed to encompass zones where hazards may arise due to projectile impacts and their subsequent behavior.
The correct answer highlights the importance of the buffer zone and ricochet area, which are integral components of safety planning during live-fire exercises. The buffer zone provides additional space beyond the primary impact area, offering a margin for error that helps to ensure that any errant shots or projectiles that ricochet off hard surfaces do not pose a risk to personnel or equipment. The ricochet area refers to the paths that projectiles may take after striking the ground or other surfaces at an angle, which is especially important in determining safety distances and identifying areas that must be cleared during firing operations.
By focusing on the buffer and ricochet areas, safety officers can effectively minimize the risk to individuals and property, intertwining their role in enforcing safety protocols with their responsibility to manage firing exercises responsibly.