(a) Upon the hearing of any appeal, the Court may appoint 1 or more impartial physicians or surgeons to examine the injuries of the claimant and to report thereon to the Court. The Court may fix the compensation of such physicians or surgeons, and tax such compensation as a part of the costs of the proceedings. The report shall not be conclusive of the facts therein stated but shall be advisory only.
(b) The Court may, with or without notice to either party, cause testimony to be taken or provide for an inspection of the premises where the injury occurred and may require the time books or the payroll of the employer to be examined.