39-1-103. Powers of department. (1) In discharging the duties imposed upon the department, the commissioner or the commissioner's authorized representatives may administer oaths, examine witnesses under oath, take depositions or cause depositions to be taken, deputize any citizen 18 years of age or older to serve subpoenas upon witnesses, and issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses before the commissioner in the same manner as for attendance before district courts.

(2) The commissioner may likewise cause to be inspected any mine, factory, workshop, smelter, mill, warehouse, elevator, foundry, machine shop, or other industrial establishment.

(3) This chapter does not apply to labor violations preempted by federal law or regulation.