Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 111,901	$ 105,925
Trade receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $8,045 and $8,189	237,478	232,862
Inventories (Note 3)	125,120	125,849
Prepaid income taxes	10,745	8,745
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	35,766	31,231
Total current assets	521,010	504,612
Property, plant and equipment, net (Note 5)	155,622	155,839
Prepaid pension cost	64,335	62,072
Deferred tax assets (Note 10)	26,219	26,455
Goodwill (Note 13)	339,935	340,338
Intangible assets (Note 13)	86,692	90,068
Other noncurrent assets	252,417	243,479
Total assets	1,446,230	1,422,863
Current liabilities
Notes payable and current portion of long-term debt, net (Note 12)	6,796	6,650
Accounts payable	64,003	68,206
Employees’ compensation	31,312	37,642
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense	47,184	57,718
Tax liabilities	13,722	11,658
Other current liabilities	67,047	70,013
Total current liabilities	230,064	251,887
Long-term debt, net (Note 12)	471,502	458,022
Pensions and other employee benefits	162,403	156,160
Deferred tax liabilities (Note 10)	26,705	24,872
Other noncurrent liabilities	14,916	14,794
Total liabilities	$ 905,590	$ 905,735
Commitments and contingencies (Note 18)
Equity
Preferred stock, 4 1/2% cumulative, $50 par value (Note 7)	$ 3,569	$ 3,569
Common stock, no par value (Note 7)	164,074	157,643
Treasury shares, at cost (Note 7)	(295,392)	(295,070)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(190,580)	(208,199)
Retained earnings	858,368	858,553
Total MSA Safety Incorporated shareholders' equity	540,039	516,496
Noncontrolling interests	601	632
Total shareholders’ equity	540,640	517,128
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 1,446,230	$ 1,422,863