(1) In making an investigation or inquiry or conducting a hearing, the commission shall not be bound by common law or statutory rules of evidence or by technical or formal rules or procedure, except as provided by this chapter, but may make such investigation or inquiry or conduct such hearing in such manner as best to ascertain the rights of the parties. Declarations of a deceased employee concerning the injury in respect of which the investigation or inquiry is being made or the hearing conducted shall be received in evidence and shall, if corroborated by other evidence, be sufficient to establish the injury.
(2) Hearings before the commission shall be open to the public and shall be stenographically reported or recorded and transcribed. The commission shall by regulations provide for the preparation of a record of the hearings and other proceedings.
(3) Unless otherwise ordered by the commission, hearings shall be conducted in the county where the injury occurred.