American Society of Safety Engineer members are being asked to visit the group's Web site and cast their vote on what ASSE calls "a very important issue to the occupational safety, health and environmental profession":

"Do you believe that corporate management is committed to workplace safety and believes that it contributes positively to the bottom line?"

There are reports that the recession is putting the squeeze on safety budgets and staffing and pushing safety down the list of business priorities, though one ASSE official says the group is getting mixed signals from members on the issue. ASSE hopes the poll clarifies what's going on.

ASSE will publish the findings when the tally is finalized in the next couple of weeks.