(a) The Secretary of the Department of Labor and Licensing and any officer of the Department of Labor and Licensing designated by the secretary, in the performance of any duty or the execution of any power prescribed by law, shall have the power to administer oaths, certify to official acts, take and cause to be taken depositions of witnesses, issue subpoenas, and compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of papers, books, accounts, payrolls, documents, records, and testimony.
(b) In case of failure of any person to comply with any subpoena lawfully issued or on the refusal of any witness to produce evidence or to testify to any matter regarding which he or she may be lawfully interrogated, it shall be the duty of any court of competent jurisdiction or the judge thereof, upon application of the secretary or any officer or agent of the department, to compel obedience by attachment proceedings for contempt, as in the case of disobedience of the requirements of a subpoena issued for the court or a refusal to testify therein.