Consolidated Balance Sheet (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 59,938	$ 59,760
Trade receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $7,043 and $9,391	192,627	198,551
Inventories	141,475	150,581
Deferred tax assets	21,744	25,714
Income taxes receivable	13,769	12,936
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	29,296	29,847
Total current assets	458,849	477,389
Land	5,142	5,699
Buildings	104,575	112,144
Machinery and equipment	333,846	339,329
Construction in progress	13,472	15,905
Total	457,035	473,077
Less accumulated depreciation	(311,272)	(316,288)
Net property	145,763	156,789
Prepaid pension cost	58,075	121,631
Deferred tax assets	12,065	8,285
Goodwill	259,084	263,089
Other noncurrent assets	181,216	170,005
Total assets	1,115,052	1,197,188
Current Liabilities
Notes payable and current portion of long-term debt	8,263	10,163
Accounts payable	50,208	58,460
Employees' compensation	38,400	36,845
Insurance and product liability	15,738	18,401
Taxes on income	3,051	1,253
Other current liabilities	56,110	56,619
Total current liabilities	171,770	181,741
Long-Term Debt	334,046	367,094
Pensions and other employee benefits	124,310	126,479
Deferred tax liabilities	30,458	49,177
Other noncurrent liabilities	15,057	16,647
Total liabilities	675,641	741,138
Commitments and Contingencies
Mine Safety Appliances Company shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, 4 1/2% cumulative, $50 par value (callable at $52.50)	3,569	3,569
Common stock, no par value (shares outstanding: 2011-36,692,590 and 2010-36,519,726)	97,276	88,629
Stock compensation trust	(6,070)	(7,103)
Treasury shares, at cost	(266,231)	(265,606)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(103,184)	(44,316)
Retained earnings	708,306	676,195
Total Mine Safety Appliances Company shareholders' equity	433,666	451,368
Noncontrolling interests	5,745	4,682
Total shareholders' equity	439,411	456,050
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 1,115,052	$ 1,197,188