Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Net sales	$ 282,493	$ 285,859	$ 547,538	$ 555,745
Other income, net	45	514	401	377
Revenues, Total	282,538	286,373	547,939	556,122
Costs and expenses
Cost of products sold	152,823	156,195	296,053	304,377
Selling, general and administrative	82,835	79,099	168,076	160,707
Research and development	11,943	11,398	23,184	21,982
Restructuring and other charges (Note 4)	857	2,427	2,757	2,427
Interest expense	2,594	2,750	5,124	5,410
Currency exchange (gains) losses, net	(309)	1,060	43	2,312
Costs and Expenses, Total	250,743	252,929	495,237	497,215
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	31,795	33,444	52,702	58,907
Provision for income taxes (Note 10)	9,753	10,005	17,357	16,925
Income from continuing operations	22,042	23,439	35,345	41,982
Income from discontinued operations (Note 18)	453	952	1,067	1,804
Net income	22,495	24,391	36,412	43,786
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(7)	(342)	102	(451)
Net income attributable to MSA Safety Incorporated	22,488	24,049	36,514	43,335
Amounts attributable to MSA Safety Incorporated common shareholders:
Income from continuing operations	22,132	23,315	35,654	41,942
Income from discontinued operations (Note 18)	356	734	860	1,393
Net income attributable to MSA Safety Incorporated	$ 22,488	$ 24,049	$ 36,514	$ 43,335
Basic
Income from continuing operations, basic (dollars per share)	$ 0.59	$ 0.63	$ 0.96	$ 1.13
Income from discontinued operations, basic (dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.02	$ 0.02	$ 0.04
Net Income,basic (dollars per share)	$ 0.60	$ 0.65	$ 0.98	$ 1.17
Diluted
Income from continuing operations, diluted (dollars per share)	$ 0.58	$ 0.62	$ 0.94	$ 1.11
Income from discontinued operations, diluted (dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.02	$ 0.02	$ 0.04
Net Income, diluted (dollars per share)	$ 0.59	$ 0.64	$ 0.96	$ 1.15
Dividends per common share (dollars per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.30	$ 0.61	$ 0.58