Cash and Cash Equivalents (Detail) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($)
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Gross cash pool position	$ 63,970
Less: cash pool borrowings	(58,008)
Net cash pool position	$ 5,962

Cash Balance, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash

No definition available.

Name:	msa_CashBalanceCollateralObligationToReturnCash
Namespace Prefix:	msa_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant