Segment Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Segment Information [Abstract]

Reportable Segment Information

(In thousands)	North America		Europe			International			Reconciling Items			Consolidated Totals
2011
Sales to external customers	$	561,140	$	286,753		$	325,334		$	—		$	1,173,227
Intercompany sales		100,094		116,471			18,305			(234,870	)		—
Net income attributable to Mine Safety Appliances Company		57,914		7,331			27,152			(22,545	)		69,852
Total assets		742,707		340,305			194,127			(162,087	)		1,115,052
Interest income		78		192			1,267			324			1,861
Interest expense		29		253			138			13,697			14,117
Noncash items:
Depreciation and amortization		22,036		6,239			4,591			—			32,866
Pension income (expense)		10,800		(5,638	)		(195	)		—			4,967
Income tax provision		34,327		3,994			6,442			(9,990	)		34,773
Capital expenditures		20,035		4,384			5,971			—			30,390
Long-lived assets		127,361		29,981			35,540			—			192,882
2010
Sales to external customers		464,012		251,107			261,512			—			976,631
Intercompany sales		84,905		92,526			16,410			(193,841	)		—
Net income attributable to Mine Safety Appliances Company		44,560		(5,371	)		15,835			(16,920	)		38,104
Total assets		810,345		336,095			205,837			(155,089	)		1,197,188
Interest income		329		110			1,212			328			1,979
Interest expense		51		160			100			8,396			8,707
Noncash items:
Depreciation and amortization		18,918		6,116			4,158			—			29,192
Pension income (expense)		13,451		(6,590	)		(470	)		—			6,391
Income tax provision		22,032		769			5,720			(10,231	)		18,290
Capital expenditures		16,806		4,667			3,551			—			25,024
Long-lived assets		142,241		33,199			35,229			—			210,669
2009
Sales to external customers		434,575		257,860			217,556			—			909,991
Intercompany sales		61,351		86,632			13,892			(161,875	)		—
Net income attributable to Mine Safety Appliances Company		43,780		4,483			6,717			(11,685	)		43,295
Total assets		523,708		284,429			183,742			(116,651	)		875,228
Interest income		123		239			759			368			1,489
Interest expense		37		167			143			6,733			7,080
Noncash items:
Depreciation and amortization		17,369		6,178			3,815			—			27,362
Pension income (expense)		8,329		(5,508	)		(166	)		—			2,655
Income tax provision		24,314		2,714			2,070			(7,095	)		22,003
Capital expenditures		14,742		5,640			5,355			—			25,737
Long-lived assets		95,291		28,447			34,380			—			158,118

Schedule Of Geographic Information On Sales To External Customers, Based On Country Of Origin

(In thousands)	2011		2010		2009
United States	$	538,257	$	447,029	$	422,349
Germany		75,536		77,858		79,553
Other		559,434		451,744		408,089
Total		1,173,227		976,631		909,991

Schedule Of Geographic Information On Long-Lived Assets, Based On Country Of Origin

(In thousands)	2011		2010		2009
United States	$	124,035	$	139,161	$	92,312
Germany		9,425		10,570		13,110
Other		59,422		60,938		52,696
Total		192,882		210,669		158,118