(a) Consolidation. If separate proceedings before the Office of the Administrative Law Judges involve a common question of law or fact, a judge may:

(1) Join for hearing any or all matters at issue in the proceedings;

(2) Consolidate the proceedings; or

(3) Issue any other orders to avoid unnecessary cost or delay.

(b) Separate hearings. For convenience, to avoid prejudice, or to expedite and economize, the judge may order a separate hearing of one or more issues.