At 3am working on plant shoveling. The Big hopper had metal gate w/2 slots (prevents product coming out of hopper). We shoveled dirt off belt. Belt stuck. We started it back up & went to bottom hopper & used 5# sledge hammer to open gate w/conveyor in operation. Opened metal gate & it flew up, EE grabbed it, putting his hand above conveyor & metal gate that was on conveyor