February 4, l993

Mr. Rick P. Powell, Superintendent
Fayette County Schools
lll Fayette Avenue
Fayetteville, West Virginia 25840-l299

Dear Mr. Powell:

You have asked with respect to W. Va. Code l8A-4-8a, as amended by House Bill No. 4552 effective July l, l992:

Does asbestos pay include for the time required to be trained as an asbestos removal worker?

Yes, because service personnel are entitled by the law cited in your question to special compensation for "the removal of asbestos material or related duties required for asbestos removal." Although "related duties" and "the removal of asbestos material" are distinguished by W. Va. Code l8A-4-8a from the U. S. Environmental Protection Act training required for licensure to remove asbestos, this training necessarily involves the trainee in removal of asbestos and other duties related to that.

Hoping that I have been of service, I am

Sincerely yours,

Henry Marockie
State Superintendent of Schools