Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Net sales	$ 275,159	$ 264,884	$ 822,697	$ 820,629
Other income, net	585	638	986	1,015
Revenues, Total	275,744	265,522	823,683	821,644
Costs and expenses
Cost of products sold	151,436	149,458	447,489	453,835
Selling, general and administrative	77,301	71,390	245,377	232,097
Research and development	13,420	12,298	36,604	34,280
Restructuring and other charges (Note 4)	3,640	1,515	6,397	3,942
Interest expense	2,493	2,741	7,617	8,151
Currency exchange losses, net	315	1,836	358	4,148
Costs and Expenses, Total	248,605	239,238	743,842	736,453
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	27,139	26,284	79,841	85,191
Provision for income taxes (Note 10)	8,699	7,750	26,056	24,675
Income from continuing operations	18,440	18,534	53,785	60,516
Income from discontinued operations (Note 18)	765	643	1,832	2,447
Net income	19,205	19,177	55,617	62,963
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	100	324	202	(127)
Net income attributable to MSA Safety Incorporated	19,305	19,501	55,819	62,836
Amounts attributable to MSA Safety Incorporated common shareholders:
Income from continuing operations	18,674	18,987	54,328	60,929
Income from discontinued operations (Note 18)	631	514	1,491	1,907
Net income attributable to MSA Safety Incorporated	$ 19,305	$ 19,501	$ 55,819	$ 62,836
Basic
Income from continuing operations, basic (dollars per share)	$ 0.50	$ 0.51	$ 1.45	$ 1.64
Income from discontinued operations, basic (dollars per share)	$ 0.02	$ 0.01	$ 0.04	$ 0.05
Net Income, basic (dollars per share)	$ 0.52	$ 0.52	$ 1.49	$ 1.69
Diluted
Income from continuing operations, diluted (dollars per share)	$ 0.49	$ 0.51	$ 1.43	$ 1.61
Income from discontinued operations, diluted (dollars per share)	$ 0.02	$ 0.01	$ 0.04	$ 0.05
Net Income, diluted (dollars per share)	$ 0.51	$ 0.52	$ 1.47	$ 1.66
Dividends per common share (dollars per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.30	$ 0.92	$ 0.88