(a) The purpose of part 802 is to establish the rules of practice and procedure governing the operation of the Benefits Review Board.

(b) Except as otherwise provided, the rules promulgated in this part apply to all appeals taken by any party from decisions or orders with respect to claims for compensation or benefits under the following Acts:

(1) The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA), 33 U.S.C. 901 et seq.;

(2) The Defense Base Act (DBA), 42 U.S.C. 1651 et seq.;

(3) The District of Columbia Workmen's Compensation Act (DCWCA), 36 D.C. Code 501 et seq. (1973);

(4) The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), 43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.;

(5) The Nonappropriated Fund Instrumentalities Act (NFIA), 5 U.S.C. 8171 et seq.;

(6) Title IV, section 415 and part C of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, Public Law 95-164, 91 Stat. 1290 (formerly the FCMHSA of 1969), as amended by the Black Lung Benefits Reform Act of 1977, Public Law 95-239, 92 Stat. 95, the Black Lung Benefits Revenue Act of 1977, Public Law 95-229, 92 Stat. 11, and the Black Lung Benefits Amendments of 1981, Public Law 97-119, 95 Stat. 1643 (30 U.S.C. 901 et seq.).

Part 801 of this chapter VII sets forth rules of general applicability covering the composition, authority, and operation of the Benefits Review Board and definitions applicable to this chapter. The provisions of part 801 of this chapter are fully applicable to this part 802.

(a) Conduct of proceedings. Pursuant to section 27(a) of the LHWCA, the Board shall have power to preserve and enforce order during any proceedings for determination or adjudication of entitlement to compensation or benefits or for liability for payment thereof, and to do all things in accordance with law which may be necessary to enable the Board to effectively discharge its duties.

(b) Contumacy. Pursuant to section 27(b) of the LHWCA, if any person in proceedings before the Board disobeys or resists any lawful order or process, or misbehaves during a hearing or so near the place thereof as to obstruct the same, the Board shall certify the facts to the Federal district court having jurisdiction in the place in which it is sitting (or to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia if it is sitting in the District) which shall thereupon in a summary manner hear the evidence as to the acts complained of, and if the evidence so warrants, punish such person in the same manner and to the same extent as for a contempt committed before the court, or commit such person upon the same conditions as if the doing of the forbidden act had occurred with reference to the process or in the presence of the court.

(a) Cases may, in the sole discretion of the Board, be consolidated for purposes of an appeal upon the motion of any party or upon the Board's own motion where there exist common parties, common questions of law or fact or both, or in such other circumstances as justice and the administration of the Acts require.

(b) Upon its own motion, or upon motion of any party, the Board may, for good cause, order any proceeding severed with respect to some or all issues or parties.

(a) As provided in section 14(f) of the LHWCA and sections 415 and 422 of the Black Lung Benefits Act, the payment of the amounts required by an award of compensation or benefits shall not be stayed or in any way delayed beyond ten days after it becomes due pending final decision in any proceeding before the Board unless so ordered by the Board. No stay shall be issued unless irreparable injury would otherwise ensue to the employer, coal mine operator or insurance carrier. Any order of the Board permitting any stay shall contain a specific finding, based upon evidence submitted to the Board and identified by reference thereto, that irreparable injury would result to such employer, operator or insurance carrier, and specify the nature and extent of the injury.

(b) When circumstances require, the Board, in its discretion, may issue a temporary order not to exceed 30 days granting a motion for stay of payment prior to the expiration of the ten-day period allowed for filing responses to motions pursuant to § 802.219(e). Following receipt of a response to the motion or expiration of the response time provided in § 802.219(e), the Board will issue a subsequent order ruling on the motion for stay of payment.