Failure of party to appear.

1. If a party fails to appear at a hearing scheduled by the Board and no continuance has been requested or granted, the Board may hear the testimony of witnesses who have appeared and consider and dispose of the matter on the basis of the evidence before it. 2. If, because of accident, sickness or other reasonable cause, a person fails to appear for a hearing scheduled by the Board or fails to request a continuance thereof, the party may, within a reasonable period, not to exceed 15 days after the date of the hearing, apply to the Secretary of the Board to reopen the proceedings and the Board, upon finding such cause sufficient and reasonable, will immediately fix a time and place for hearing and give such party notice thereof. At the time and place fixed, the person may testify on his or her own behalf or present such other evidence as may be beneficial to his or her cause. 3. Witnesses who have previously testified are not required to appear at the second hearing unless so directed by the Board.