Name:	msa_DefinedBenefitPlanEffectOfOnePercentagePointIncreaseOrDecreaseOnAccumulatedPostretirementBenefitObligation
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Defined benefit plan, effect of one percentage point increase or decrease on current year plan expense.

No definition available.

Name:	msa_DefinedBenefitPlanEffectOfOnePercentagePointIncreaseOrDecreaseOnCurrentYearPlanExpense
Namespace Prefix:	msa_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Estimated future percentage of health care benefits.

No definition available.

Name:	msa_EstimatedFuturePercentageOfHealthCareBenefits
Namespace Prefix:	msa_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Percentage decrease in health care cost for successive year.

No definition available.

Name:	msa_PercentageDecreaseInHealthCareCostInEachSuccessiveYear
Namespace Prefix:	msa_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Percentage increase in health care benefit cost.

No definition available.

Name:	msa_PercentageIncreaseInHealthCareBenefitCost
Namespace Prefix:	msa_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Amount of benefits from a defined benefit plan expected to be paid in the five fiscal years after the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (f)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Amount of benefits from a defined benefit plan expected to be paid in the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

Amount of benefits from a defined benefit plan expected to be paid in the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

Amount of benefits from a defined benefit plan expected to be paid in the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

Amount of benefits from a defined benefit plan expected to be paid in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

Amount of benefits from a defined benefit plan expected to be paid in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Amount of employer's best estimate of contributions expected to be paid to the plan during the next fiscal year beginning after the date of the latest statement of financial position.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (g)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	duration

The ultimate trend rate for health care costs.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (l)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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Period Type:	duration

The amount of the cost recognized during the period for defined contribution plans.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 70

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6414718&loc=d3e28014-114942