(a) When allowed, an appeal may be maintained by one or more individuals on their own behalf and as representatives of a class of named or unnamed individuals only where the class is so numerous that joinder of all members is impracticable and where all questions of fact and law are common to all members of the class. Minor variations of fact shall not preclude the maintenance of a class appeal when such variations are irrelevant for purposes of the decision.

The commissioner may at any stage of the appeal issue such orders as may be necessary to fairly and adequately protect the interests of the persons on whose behalf the appeal is brought.