Opinion ID: 2994355
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Sierra’s Due Process Claims

Text: Sierra contends that its due process rights were violated because Sutphen: 1) was not given a copy of the complaint which was the basis for Gainer’s inspection; 2) did not have the opportunity to accompany Gainer as he performed the walk-around portion of the inspection; and 3) was excluded from Gainer’s interviews with employees Hawkinson and Orszulak. However, Sierra’s argument seems to assume that for every statutory or regulatory violation of a procedural nature there must necessarily be a due process violation at a Constitutional level, a contention that is without any basis in the law. See Paul v. Davis, 424 U.S. 693, 700-01 (1976); United States v. Knottnerus, 139 F.3d 558, 561 n.5 (7th Cir. 1998) (citing United States v. Caceres, 440 U.S. 741, 749-52 (1979); Bridges v. Wixon, 326 U.S. 135, 152-53 (1945); Yang v. INS, 109 F.3d 1185, 1195 (7th Cir. 1997)). Despite Sierra’s allegations that the OSHA inspector failed to follow the statutory and regulatory requirements concerning notice, it is clear that when Gainer first arrived on the site he informed Sutphen that he was an OSHA inspector and that he was on the premises to conduct an investigation. It is also clear that Sierra had an opportunity to defend itself against the subsequent nine-item citation OSHA issued. The fact that Sierra does not agree with the ALJ’s decision and argues that statutory and regulatory requirements regarding notice were technically violated falls short of giving rise to a due process violation. The Due Process Clause of the United States Constitution requires that Sierra be given notice and an opportunity to respond. Contrary to Sierra’s arguments, these requirements were clearly met in this case. Because Sierra has failed to point us to any support for its Constitutional claim, nor have we found any upon review, we decline to address this issue any further. See Knottnerus, 139 F.3d at 561 n.5 (An agency’s failure to follow its own regulations does not rise to the level of a constitutional violation unless the regulations themselves are compelled by the Constitution.).