(a) The Industrial Board shall consist of the Secretary of Labor and Industry or his designee and six additional members appointed by the Governor, one of whom shall be a licensed architect, one a licensed engineer, one a representative of the building industry with experience in building safety, one a representative of an employe organization with experience in building safety and two representatives of the general public.

(b) The Secretary of Labor and Industry or his designee shall be the chairman of the board.

(c) Four members of the board shall constitute a quorum except as provided for in subsection (g).

(d) A majority vote shall be required for any official action of the board or any panel provided for in subsection (g).

(e) All members, other than the Secretary of Labor and Industry or his designee, shall be appointed for terms of four years, such terms to run concurrent with that of the Governor and until successors are appointed and qualified. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy created otherwise than by expiration of term shall be appointed for the unexpired term of the member whom he is to succeed.

(f) Board members, other than the Secretary of Labor and Industry or his designee, shall receive one hundred dollars per diem while actually attending to the work of the board. Members shall also receive the amount of reasonable traveling, hotel and other necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in accordance with Commonwealth regulations.

(g) The board may, at the discretion of the chairman, hear appeals or perform its other duties in panels of three members, including the chairman, one of the professional members (the architect, engineer or representative of the building industry) and one member representing an employe organization or a public member. Panels may hold hearings in the various regions of this Commonwealth for the convenience of petitioners or other witnesses. Decisions of the panels shall be final unless the chairman or another panel member refers the matter to the full board for review or unless one of the parties appeals to the full board. The first hearing on any petition shall be held on any petition within forty-five days of receipt of the receiving petition.