Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 25,022	$ 15,586	$ 69,026	$ 48,881
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(2,411)	(13,701)	(3,519)	(33,860)
Reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) into earnings	0	0	4,125	0
Pension and post-retirement plan adjustments, net of tax	1,893	2,294	5,679	7,446
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(518)	(11,407)	6,285	(26,414)
Comprehensive income	24,504	4,179	75,311	22,467
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,021)	960	(3,271)	2,099
Comprehensive income attributable to MSA Safety Incorporated	$ 23,483	$ 5,139	$ 72,040	$ 24,566