(a) If, after an inspection or investigation, or after an employer's failure to correct a violation for which the employer has been issued a notice, the department issues a citation, the commissioner shall, at a reasonable time after the termination of the inspection or investigation, or expiration of the time period set out in the notice, notify the employer by certified mail of the penalty proposed to be assessed and that the employer has 15 working days within which to notify the commissioner and the OSHA Review Board that the employer wishes to contest the citation or proposed assessment of penalty. If, within 15 working days after receipt of the penalty notice issued by the commissioner, the employer fails to notify the OSHA Review Board that the employer intends to contest the citation or proposed assessment of penalty, the citation and the assessment, as proposed, are considered final and not subject to review by any court.

(b) If the commissioner has reason to believe that an employer has failed to correct, within the period allowed, a violation for which a citation has been issued, the commissioner shall notify the employer by certified mail of the failure, of the penalty proposed to be assessed because of the failure, and that the employer has 15 working days within which to notify the commissioner and the OSHA Review Board of a wish to contest the commissioner's notification of the proposed assessment of penalty. If, within 15 working days from the receipt of the notification issued by the commissioner, the employer fails to give notice of an intention to contest the notification or proposed assessment of penalty, the notification and assessment as proposed shall be considered a final order and not subject to review by any court.

(c) If an employer gives notice of an intention to contest the citation or notification issued under (a) or (b) of this section, the OSHA Review Board shall afford an opportunity for a hearing and thereafter issue an order, based on findings of fact, affirming, modifying, or vacating the original citation or proposed penalty, or directing other appropriate relief, and the order is final 30 days after its issuance.

(d) The OSHA Review Board shall notify the authorized representative of the affected employees that an employer is contesting a citation or notification issued under (a) or (b) of this section and afford the representative an opportunity to participate in the hearing on the matter.

(e) An employer, an affected employee, or a representative of affected employees has 15 working days from the receipt of a citation within which to notify the commissioner and the OSHA Review Board that the period of time fixed in the citation for the abatement of a violation is unreasonable. The OSHA Review Board shall afford an opportunity for a hearing and thereafter issue an order, based on findings of fact, affirming or modifying the original period for abatement, and the order is final 30 days after its issuance. If the contest is initiated by the employer, the OSHA Review Board shall notify the employees in the same manner as provided by (d) of this section. If the contest is initiated by the employees, the OSHA Review Board shall notify the employer and afford the employer an opportunity to participate in the hearing on the matter.

(f) If an employer fails without good cause to appear at a hearing held under this section after receiving proper notice of the hearing, the OSHA Review Board may order the employer to pay all reasonable expenses incurred by the board for the hearing, including the board's actual travel expenses and per diem.

(g) The board shall request the chief administrative law judge (AS 44.64.020) to appoint an administrative law judge employed or retained by the office of administrative hearings to preside at a hearing conducted under this section. AS 44.64.060 and 44.64.070 do not apply to the hearing. The administrative law judge who presided at the hearing shall be present during the consideration of the case and, if requested by the board, shall assist and advise the board. A member of the board who has not heard all of the evidence may not vote on the decision.