What should be done before sampling material from a conveyor belt?

Before sampling material from a conveyor belt, it is important to ensure that the sampling process does not disrupt normal operations or introduce contamination to the sample. Suspending production allows for a representative sample to be taken without the influence of ongoing material flow, which could otherwise lead to incorrect sampling or the mixing of different materials. When production is halted, there is an opportunity to collect a sample that accurately reflects the material’s characteristics at that point in time, without interference from additional material that may be introduced during operation.

In contrast, brushing the belt area is aimed at reducing contaminants but does not guarantee that the sample will be representative if production isn't paused. Heating the material or adjusting the conveyor speed to minimum does not address the need for an accurate sampling method since they may not create conditions for a proper sample collection. Thus, suspending production is indeed the most reliable approach to ensure the integrity and representativity of the sample.