If any provision of this chapter or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the chapter, which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are declared to be severable. The provisions of this chapter shall be construed liberally in order to accomplish the purposes of the chapter, and where any specific power is given to the commission, the statement shall not be deemed to exclude or impair any power otherwise in this chapter conferred upon the commission.