(a) Penalties provided for by §§ 50-3-402 — 50-3-408 shall be imposed in the following manner: whenever the commissioner has determined that a penalty should be assessed against an employer, the commissioner shall issue a written notification to the employer by certified mail, stating the amount of the penalty to be assessed, the reason for the assessment, which may be done by reference to citations issued prior to or simultaneously with the notification, and informing the employer of the employer's right to appeal to the occupational safety and health review commission.

(b) If, within twenty (20) days from the receipt of notification, the employer fails to notify the commissioner that the employer intends to contest the imposition of the penalty, the assessment of a penalty as stated in the notification shall be deemed a final order of the commissioner, and shall not be subject to further review.

(c)

(1) If an employer notifies the commissioner within twenty (20) days of receipt of notification of a penalty that the employer intends to contest the penalty, the commissioner shall advise the commission of the notification, and the commission shall afford an opportunity for a hearing.

(2) The commission shall thereafter issue an order, based on findings of fact, affirming, modifying or vacating the commissioner's citation or assessment of penalty.

(3) The order shall become final thirty (30) days after its issuance, unless within that period judicial review of the order has been sought pursuant to § 50-3-806.