(1) Interested persons other than the petitioner shall have a reasonable opportunity as specified by the director in particular cases to submit to the director written data, views, or arguments relating to the petition. Such material (original and four copies) shall be filed with the: Director, Department of Labor and Industries, 7273 Linderson Way Southwest, Tumwater, Washington, or by mail to: Post Office Box 44001, Olympia, WA 98504-4001 and be accompanied by a filing fee of thirty-five dollars. Fees shall be made payable to the department of labor and industries. Copies of any such material shall be served on the petitioner and other interested persons.

(2) Each party in interest shall have the right to appear in person or by or with counsel or other qualified representatives in any proceeding before the director. If all parties agree, oral testimony may be waived and arguments submitted in writing.

(3) Upon his or her own initiative or upon motion of any interested person or party, the director may consolidate in any proceeding or concurrently consider two or more appeals which involve substantially the same persons or parties, or issues which are the same or closely related, if he or she finds that such consolidation or concurrent review will contribute to an efficient review and to the ends of justice, and it will not unduly delay consideration of any such appeals.

(4) The director shall prescribe the time and place for hearing. The director shall schedule the hearing within forty-five days of the request. For good cause shown, the director may allow a continuance at the request of a party in interest.

(a) With respect to any proceeding before the director, the director may upon his or her own initiative or upon the request of any interested person or party direct the interested persons or parties to appear before the director at a specified time and place in order to simplify the issues presented or to take up any other matters which may tend to expedite or otherwise facilitate the disposition of the proceeding.

(b) All papers submitted to the director under this section shall be filed with the: Department of Labor and Industries, 7273 Linderson Way Southwest, Tumwater, Washington, or by mail to: Post Office Box 44001, Olympia, WA 98504-4001. An original and two copies of all papers shall be submitted. Service under this part shall be by the filing party or interested person; service may be personal or may be by mail. Service by mail is complete on mailing.

(5) The final disposition shall be by the director.

(a) The director may decline review of any case whenever in his judgment a review would be inappropriate or because of the lack of timeliness, the nature of the relief sought, or other reasons.

(b) The director shall decide the case upon the basis of all relevant matter contained in the entire record before him or her but the director may utilize his or her experience, technical competence, and specialized knowledge in evaluating the evidence.

(c) Upon reasonable notice to the parties or interested persons, the director may vary the procedures specified in this part in particular cases.

(6) The director may allow all parties a period of ten days for filing post-hearing briefs prior to closing the record and concluding the hearing.

(7) The director shall issue a written decision within thirty days of the conclusion of the hearing. A copy shall be sent to each party in interest.