Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards (Policies)	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of MSA Safety Incorporated and its subsidiaries ("MSA" or the "Company") are unaudited. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary by management to fairly state the Company's results. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The results reported in these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year. The December 31, 2015 condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from the audited consolidated balance sheet but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). This Form 10-Q report should be read in conjunction with MSA's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, which includes all disclosures required by GAAP. Certain segment results in previously issued financial statements were recast to conform to the current period presentation in Note 4, Note 8 and Note 12. Certain line items on the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows have been reclassified from the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows reported in our July 20, 2016 earnings release.
Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards	Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue with Contracts from Customers. This ASU clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue such that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, Revenue with Contracts from Customers. This ASU defers the effective date of the standard until January 1, 2018. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, Principal versus Agent Considerations. This ASU clarifies the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing. This ASU clarifies the means by which a company should recognize revenue for goods and services provided. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-11, Rescission of SEC Guidance Because of Accounting Standards Updates 2014-09 and 2014-16 Pursuant to Staff Announcements at the March 3, 2016 EITF Meeting. This ASU rescinds previous revenue recognition guidance upon the adoption of ASU 2014-09. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12, Revenue with Contracts from Customers. This ASU clarifies narrow aspects of the new revenue recognition model, including the collectibility criterion, the presentation of sales taxes and other taxes collected from customers, and non-cash consideration. Additionally, this ASU provides guidance on contract modifications at transition and completed contracts at transition. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of these ASUs will have on the consolidated financial statements. We have conducted a risk assessment and are working with outside consultants to develop a transition plan that will enable us to meet the implementation requirement. In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-12, Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period. This ASU clarifies the accounting treatment for share based payment awards that contain performance targets. This ASU was adopted on January 1, 2016. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern. This ASU clarifies management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is a substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern and provides guidance for related footnote disclosures. This ASU will be effective for the annual period ending December 31, 2016. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-01, Income Statement - Extraordinary and Unusual Items. This ASU eliminates the requirement to separately present and disclose extraordinary and unusual items in the financial statements. This ASU was adopted on January 1, 2016. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. This ASU changes the analysis that an entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. This ASU was adopted on January 1, 2016. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Imputation of Interest - Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. This ASU simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs and requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, Imputation of Interest - Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. This ASU simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs for line of credit arrangements. These ASUs were adopted on January 1, 2016. The Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015 has been adjusted to apply the change in accounting principle retrospectively, which resulted in a decrease in Prepaid expenses and other current assets of $0.4 million, a decrease in Other noncurrent assets of $1.5 million, a decrease in the current portion of long-term debt, net of $17 thousand, and a decrease in long-term debt of $1.9 million as of December 31, 2015. There was no impact to the Statements of Consolidated Income as a result of the change in accounting principle. Prior year balances in Note 12 were also adjusted to conform with current year presentation. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-04, Retirement Benefits - Practical Expedient for the Measurement Date of an Employer's Defined Benefit Obligation and Plan Assets. This ASU allows entities with a fiscal year end that does not coincide with a month end to use the closest month end for measurement purposes. This ASU also allows entities that have a significant event in an interim period that calls for a remeasurement of defined benefit plan assets and obligations to use the month end date that is closest to the date of the significant event. This ASU was adopted on January 1, 2016. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-05, Goodwill and Other Internal Use Software - Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement. This ASU clarifies when entities should account for fees paid in a cloud computing arrangement as a software license or service contract. This ASU was adopted on January 1, 2016 and was implemented on a prospective basis. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. This ASU requires inventory to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. This ASU applies to inventory measured using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) or average cost methods only. This ASU will be effective beginning in 2017. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-12, Plan Accounting: Defined Benefit Pension Plans (Topic 960), Defined Contribution Pension Plans (Topic 962), Health and Welfare Benefit Plans (Topic 965). This ASU simplifies complexities within employee benefit plan accounting including Fully Benefit-Responsive Investment Contracts, Plan Investment Disclosures, and the Measurement Date Practical Expedient. This ASU was adopted on January 1, 2016. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments. This ASU simplifies the accounting for adjustments made to provisional amounts recognized in a business combination. The amendments in this Update eliminate the requirement to retrospectively account for those adjustments. MSA elected to early adopt this standard for the period ended December 31, 2015. The adoption of this ASU could have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements to the extent that measurement-period adjustments for business combinations are identified. In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. This ASU simplifies the presentation of deferred income taxes. The amendments in this Update require that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. This ASU is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted. MSA elected to early adopt this standard for the period ended December 31, 2015. We elected to apply the amendments in this update retrospectively. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases. This ASU requires lessees to record a right of use asset and a liability for virtually all leases. This ASU will be effective beginning in 2019. The Company continues to evaluate the impact that the adoption of this ASU will have on the consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. This ASU simplifies the accounting for many aspects associated with share-based payment accounting including income taxes and the use of forfeiture rates. This ASU will be effective beginning in 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of these ASU will have on the consolidated financial statements. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses. This ASU introduces an approach based on expected losses to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments including loans, held-to-maturity debt securities, loan commitments, financial guarantees and net investments in leases as well as reinsurance and trade receivables. This ASU will be effective beginning in 2020. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of these ASU will have on the consolidated financial statements and expects that adoption will result in increased disclosure.

Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue with Contracts from Customers. This ASU clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue such that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, Revenue with Contracts from Customers. This ASU defers the effective date of the standard until January 1, 2018. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, Principal versus Agent Considerations. This ASU clarifies the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing. This ASU clarifies the means by which a company should recognize revenue for goods and services provided. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-11, Rescission of SEC Guidance Because of Accounting Standards Updates 2014-09 and 2014-16 Pursuant to Staff Announcements at the March 3, 2016 EITF Meeting. This ASU rescinds previous revenue recognition guidance upon the adoption of ASU 2014-09. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12, Revenue with Contracts from Customers. This ASU clarifies narrow aspects of the new revenue recognition model, including the collectibility criterion, the presentation of sales taxes and other taxes collected from customers, and non-cash consideration. Additionally, this ASU provides guidance on contract modifications at transition and completed contracts at transition. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of these ASUs will have on the consolidated financial statements. We have conducted a risk assessment and are working with outside consultants to develop a transition plan that will enable us to meet the implementation requirement.

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-12, Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period. This ASU clarifies the accounting treatment for share based payment awards that contain performance targets. This ASU was adopted on January 1, 2016. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern. This ASU clarifies management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is a substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern and provides guidance for related footnote disclosures. This ASU will be effective for the annual period ending December 31, 2016. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-01, Income Statement - Extraordinary and Unusual Items. This ASU eliminates the requirement to separately present and disclose extraordinary and unusual items in the financial statements. This ASU was adopted on January 1, 2016. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. This ASU changes the analysis that an entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. This ASU was adopted on January 1, 2016. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Imputation of Interest - Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. This ASU simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs and requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, Imputation of Interest - Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. This ASU simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs for line of credit arrangements. These ASUs were adopted on January 1, 2016. The Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015 has been adjusted to apply the change in accounting principle retrospectively, which resulted in a decrease in Prepaid expenses and other current assets of $0.4 million, a decrease in Other noncurrent assets of $1.5 million, a decrease in the current portion of long-term debt, net of $17 thousand, and a decrease in long-term debt of $1.9 million as of December 31, 2015. There was no impact to the Statements of Consolidated Income as a result of the change in accounting principle. Prior year balances in Note 12 were also adjusted to conform with current year presentation.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-04, Retirement Benefits - Practical Expedient for the Measurement Date of an Employer's Defined Benefit Obligation and Plan Assets. This ASU allows entities with a fiscal year end that does not coincide with a month end to use the closest month end for measurement purposes. This ASU also allows entities that have a significant event in an interim period that calls for a remeasurement of defined benefit plan assets and obligations to use the month end date that is closest to the date of the significant event. This ASU was adopted on January 1, 2016. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-05, Goodwill and Other Internal Use Software - Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement. This ASU clarifies when entities should account for fees paid in a cloud computing arrangement as a software license or service contract. This ASU was adopted on January 1, 2016 and was implemented on a prospective basis. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. This ASU requires inventory to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. This ASU applies to inventory measured using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) or average cost methods only. This ASU will be effective beginning in 2017. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-12, Plan Accounting: Defined Benefit Pension Plans (Topic 960), Defined Contribution Pension Plans (Topic 962), Health and Welfare Benefit Plans (Topic 965). This ASU simplifies complexities within employee benefit plan accounting including Fully Benefit-Responsive Investment Contracts, Plan Investment Disclosures, and the Measurement Date Practical Expedient. This ASU was adopted on January 1, 2016. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments. This ASU simplifies the accounting for adjustments made to provisional amounts recognized in a business combination. The amendments in this Update eliminate the requirement to retrospectively account for those adjustments. MSA elected to early adopt this standard for the period ended December 31, 2015. The adoption of this ASU could have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements to the extent that measurement-period adjustments for business combinations are identified.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. This ASU simplifies the presentation of deferred income taxes. The amendments in this Update require that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. This ASU is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted. MSA elected to early adopt this standard for the period ended December 31, 2015. We elected to apply the amendments in this update retrospectively.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases. This ASU requires lessees to record a right of use asset and a liability for virtually all leases. This ASU will be effective beginning in 2019. The Company continues to evaluate the impact that the adoption of this ASU will have on the consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. This ASU simplifies the accounting for many aspects associated with share-based payment accounting including income taxes and the use of forfeiture rates. This ASU will be effective beginning in 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of these ASU will have on the consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses. This ASU introduces an approach based on expected losses to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments including loans, held-to-maturity debt securities, loan commitments, financial guarantees and net investments in leases as well as reinsurance and trade receivables. This ASU will be effective beginning in 2020. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of these ASU will have on the consolidated financial statements and expects that adoption will result in increased disclosure.