Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Net sales	$ 265,045	$ 269,886
Other income (loss), net	356	(137)
Revenues, Total	265,401	269,749
Costs and expenses
Cost of products sold	143,230	148,182
Selling, general and administrative	85,241	81,608
Research and development	11,241	10,584
Restructuring charges	1,900	0
Interest expense	2,530	2,660
Currency exchange losses, net	352	1,252
Costs and Expenses, Total	244,494	244,286
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	20,907	25,463
Provision for income taxes	7,604	6,920
Income from continuing operations	13,303	18,543
Income from discontinued operations	614	852
Net income	13,917	19,395
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	109	(109)
Net income attributable to MSA Safety Incorporated	14,026	19,286
Amounts attributable to MSA Safety Incorporated common shareholders:
Income from continuing operations	13,522	18,627
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	504	659
Net income attributable to MSA Safety Incorporated	$ 14,026	$ 19,286
Basic
Income from continuing operations, basic (dollars per share)	$ 0.37	$ 0.50
Income from discontinued operations, basic (dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.02
Net Income,basic (dollars per share)	$ 0.38	$ 0.52
Diluted
Income from continuing operations, diluted (dollars per share)	$ 0.36	$ 0.49
Income from discontinued operations, diluted (dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.02
Net Income, diluted (dollars per share)	$ 0.37	$ 0.51