MSA Safety (MSA) 10-Q 23 Oct 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 20, 2014
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Trading Symbol	'MSA	'
Entity Registrant Name	'MSA Safety Incorporated	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000066570	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	37,439,243

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Net sales	$275,159	$264,884	$822,697	$820,629
Other income, net	585	638	986	1,015
Revenues, Total	275,744	265,522	823,683	821,644
Costs and expenses	'	'	'	'
Cost of products sold	151,436	149,458	447,489	453,835
Selling, general and administrative	77,301	71,390	245,377	232,097
Research and development	13,420	12,298	36,604	34,280
Restructuring and other charges (Note 4)	3,640	1,515	6,397	3,942
Interest expense	2,493	2,741	7,617	8,151
Currency exchange losses, net	315	1,836	358	4,148
Costs and Expenses, Total	248,605	239,238	743,842	736,453
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	27,139	26,284	79,841	85,191
Provision for income taxes (Note 10)	8,699	7,750	26,056	24,675
Income from continuing operations	18,440	18,534	53,785	60,516
Income from discontinued operations (Note 18)	765	643	1,832	2,447
Net income	19,205	19,177	55,617	62,963
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	100	324	202	-127
Net income attributable to MSA Safety Incorporated	19,305	19,501	55,819	62,836
Amounts attributable to MSA Safety Incorporated common shareholders:	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations	18,674	18,987	54,328	60,929
Income from discontinued operations (Note 18)	631	514	1,491	1,907
Net income attributable to MSA Safety Incorporated	$19,305	$19,501	$55,819	$62,836
Basic	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations, basic (dollars per share)	$0.50	$0.51	$1.45	$1.64
Income from discontinued operations, basic (dollars per share)	$0.02	$0.01	$0.04	$0.05
Net Income, basic (dollars per share)	$0.52	$0.52	$1.49	$1.69
Diluted	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations, diluted (dollars per share)	$0.49	$0.51	$1.43	$1.61
Income from discontinued operations, diluted (dollars per share)	$0.02	$0.01	$0.04	$0.05
Net Income, diluted (dollars per share)	$0.51	$0.52	$1.47	$1.66
Dividends per common share (dollars per share)	$0.31	$0.30	$0.92	$0.88

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Net income	$19,205	$19,177	$55,617	$62,963
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-20,563	6,158	-21,467	-7,068
Pension and post-retirement plan adjustments, net of tax	1,418	2,107	5,718	6,321
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	-19,145	8,265	-15,749	-747
Comprehensive income	60	27,442	39,868	62,216
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	380	320	624	790
Comprehensive income attributable to MSA Safety Incorporated	$440	$27,762	$40,492	$63,006

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$97,355	$96,265
Trade receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $7,314 and $7,306	200,634	200,364
Inventories	145,217	136,837
Deferred tax assets	20,136	22,458
Prepaid income taxes	9,580	9,181
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	28,394	35,861
Total current assets	501,316	500,966
Property, plant and equipment	152,377	152,755
Prepaid pension cost	130,414	121,054
Deferred tax assets	16,523	14,996
Goodwill	255,049	260,134
Intangible assets	31,909	35,029
Other noncurrent assets	172,717	149,336
Total assets	1,260,305	1,234,270
Current liabilities	'	'
Notes payable and current portion of long-term debt	6,671	7,500
Accounts payable	67,253	66,902
Employees’ compensation	42,520	38,164
Insurance and product liability	14,339	14,251
Taxes liabilities	4,582	3,662
Other current liabilities	58,965	61,085
Total current liabilities	194,330	191,564
Long-term debt	270,667	260,667
Pensions and other employee benefits	146,344	152,084
Deferred tax liabilities	48,365	49,621
Other noncurrent liabilities	10,941	7,987
Total liabilities	670,647	661,923
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Equity	'	'
Preferred stock, 4 1/2% cumulative, $50 par value	3,569	3,569
Common stock, no par value	146,808	132,055
Stock compensation trust	0	-1,585
Treasury shares, at cost	-286,461	-281,524
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-93,596	-78,269
Retained earnings	813,982	792,206
Total MSA Safety Incorporated shareholders' equity	584,302	566,452
Noncontrolling interests	5,356	5,895
Total shareholders’ equity	589,658	572,347
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$1,260,305	$1,234,270

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Trade receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts	$7,314	$7,306
Common stock, par value	$0	$0
Preferred Stock, 4 1/2% Cumulative	'	'
Percentage of cumulative preferred stock	4.50%	4.50%
Preferred stock, par value	$50	$50

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Operating Activities	'	'
Net income	$55,617	$62,963
Depreciation and amortization	22,311	23,392
Pensions	4,206	8,639
Net gain from investing activities—disposal of assets	0	-505
Stock-based compensation	7,887	9,147
Deferred income tax benefit	-1,121	-802
Other noncurrent assets and liabilities	-27,853	-23,881
Currency exchange losses, net	295	3,845
Excess tax benefit related to stock plans	-2,436	-1,490
Other, net	-2,262	1,689
Operating cash flow before changes in certain working capital items	56,644	82,997
(Increase) in trade receivables	-7,263	-6,855
(Increase) in inventories	-16,192	-12,321
Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	11,777	9,061
Decrease (increase) in income taxes receivable, prepaid expenses and other current assets	5,836	-8,176
(Increase) in certain working capital items	-5,842	-18,291
Cash Flow From Operating Activities	50,802	64,706
Investing Activities	'	'
Capital expenditures	-24,233	-26,214
Property disposals and other investing	0	1,333
Cash Flow From Investing Activities	-24,233	-24,881
Financing Activities	'	'
(Payments on) proceeds from short-term debt, net	-829	284
Proceeds from long-term debt	356,000	233,100
(Payments on) long-term debt	-346,000	-223,100
Restricted cash	499	0
Cash dividends paid	-34,043	-32,694
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	0	-556
Company stock purchases	-5,396	-11,253
Exercise of stock options	6,474	9,138
Excess tax benefit related to stock plans	2,436	1,490
Cash Flow From Financing Activities	-20,859	-23,591
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-4,620	-2,942
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	1,090	13,292
Beginning cash and cash equivalents	96,265	82,718
Ending cash and cash equivalents	$97,355	$96,010

Consolidated_Statement_of_Chan

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Retained Earnings and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited) Statement (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	'	'	$572,347	'
Net income	19,205	19,177	55,617	62,963
Pension and post-retirement plan adjustments net of tax of three and nine months 2014: $805 and $3,239 and three and nine months 2013: $1,275 and $3,831	1,418	2,107	5,718	6,321
Ending balance	589,658	'	589,658	'
Retained Earnings	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	806,219	769,755	792,206	747,953
Net income	19,205	19,177	55,617	62,963
Loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	100	324	202	-127
Common dividends	-11,532	-11,151	-34,013	-32,664
Preferred dividends	-10	-10	-30	-30
Ending balance	813,982	778,095	813,982	778,095
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss)	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	-74,731	-135,163	-78,269	-127,072
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-20,563	6,158	-21,467	-7,068
Pension and post-retirement plan adjustments net of tax of three and nine months 2014: $805 and $3,239 and three and nine months 2013: $1,275 and $3,831	1,418	2,107	5,718	6,321
Loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	280	-4	422	917
Ending balance	($93,596)	($126,902)	($93,596)	($126,902)

Consolidated_Statement_of_Chan1

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Retained Earnings and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss), USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss)	'	'	'	'
Pension and post-retirement plan adjustments, tax	$805	$1,275	$3,239	$3,831

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of MSA Safety Incorporated and its subsidiaries ("MSA" or the "Company") are unaudited. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary by management to fairly state the Company's results. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The results reported in these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year. The 2013 year-end balance sheet data was derived from the audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). This Form 10-Q report should be read in conjunction with MSA's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, which includes all disclosures required by GAAP.
	Certain amounts in previously issued financial statements were reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. Refer to Note 8 for further information regarding MSA's sales allocation methodology and Note 18 for further information regarding Discontinued Operations.

Recently_Adopted_and_Recently_

Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards	'
	Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of an Entity. This ASU amends the definition of a discontinued operation to include a disposal of a component or group of components that is disposed of or is classified as held for sale and represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results. This ASU will be effective beginning in 2015. The adoption of this ASU may have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements in the event that we were to divest of a component that meets the definition of a discontinued operation.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue with Contracts from Customers. This ASU clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue such that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This ASU will be effective beginning in 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this ASU will have on the consolidated financial statements.
	In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-12, Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period. This ASU clarifies the accounting treatment for share based payment awards that contain performance targets. This ASU will be effective beginning in 2016. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
	In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern. This ASU clarifies management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is a substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern and provides guidance for related footnote disclosures. This ASU will be effective beginning in 2016. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Inventories

Inventories	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	Inventories
	(In thousands)	30-Sep-14		31-Dec-13
	Finished products	$	78,650	$	74,466
	Work in process	10,798		8,108
	Raw materials and supplies	55,769		54,263
	Total inventories	145,217		136,837

Restructuring_and_Other_Charge

Restructuring and Other Charges	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Restructuring and Other Charges	'
	Restructuring and Other Charges
	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, we recorded restructuring charges of $3.6 million ($2.5 million after tax) and $6.4 million ($4.3 million after tax), respectively. European segment charges of $3.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 were related to severance costs for workforce reductions in Germany, Italy, and Spain and continued steps to execute our Europe 2.0 initiative. International segment charges of $0.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 were related to severance costs for staff reductions associated with ongoing initiatives to right size our operations in Australia and South Africa.
	European segment charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 of $4.5 million related primarily to severance from staff reductions in Germany, Italy, and Spain and reorganization costs in Germany. International segment charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 of $1.9 million were related to severance from staff reductions in South Africa, Australia and Brazil.
	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, we recorded charges of $1.5 million ($1.1 million after tax) and $3.9 million ($2.8 million after tax), respectively. European segment charges of $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 primarily related to staff reductions in Germany and the Netherlands. International segment charges of $0.4 million were related to staff reductions in South Africa and Australia.
	European segment charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 of $2.2 million primarily related to staff reductions in Germany and the Netherlands. International segment charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 of $1.7 million were related to staff reductions in Australia.
	Activity and reserve balances for restructuring charges by segment were as follows:
	(in millions)	North America			Europe			International			Total
	Reserve balances at December 31, 2012	$	0.3		$	2.5		$	0.2		$	3
	Cash payments	(0.3		)	(3.8		)	(2.5		)	(6.6		)
	Restructuring charges	—			3			2.3			5.3
	Reserve balances at December 31, 2013	$	—		$	1.7		$	—		$	1.7
	Cash payments	—			(1.7		)	(1.6		)	(3.3		)
	Restructuring charges	—			4.5			1.9			6.4
	Reserve balances at September 30, 2014	$	—		$	4.5		$	0.3		$	4.8

Property_Plant_and_Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	Property, Plant and Equipment
	(In thousands)	30-Sep-14			31-Dec-13
	Land	$	3,634		$	3,835
	Buildings	110,412			110,534
	Machinery and equipment	355,999			349,667
	Construction in progress	19,707			16,364
	Total	489,752			480,400
	Less accumulated depreciation	(337,375		)	(327,645		)
	Net property	152,377			152,755

Reclassifications_Out_of_Accum

Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	'
	Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	The changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by component were as follows:
		MSA Safety Incorporated						Noncontrolling Interests
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Three Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Pension and other postretirement benefits
	Balance at beginning of period	$	(72,780	)	$	(127,817	)	$	—		$	—
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss:
	Amortization of prior service cost	(63		)	(80		)	—			—
	Recognized net actuarial losses	2,286			3,462			—			—
	Tax benefit	(805		)	(1,275		)	—			—
	Total amount reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	1,418			2,107			—			—
	Balance at end of period	$	(71,362	)	$	(125,710	)	$	—		$	—
	Foreign Currency Translation
	Balance at beginning of period	$	(1,951	)	$	(7,346	)	$	(1,744	)	$	(1,390	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	(20,283		)	6,154			(280		)	4
	Balance at end of period	$	(22,234	)	$	(1,192	)	$	(2,024	)	$	(1,386	)
		MSA Safety Incorporated						Noncontrolling Interests
		Nine Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Pension and other postretirement benefits
	Balance at beginning of period	$	(77,080	)	$	(132,031	)	$	—		$	—
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss:
	Amortization of prior service cost	(189		)	(240		)	—			—
	Recognized net actuarial losses	9,146			10,392			—			—
	Tax benefit	(3,239		)	(3,831		)	—			—
	Total amount reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	5,718			6,321			—			—
	Balance at end of period	$	(71,362	)	$	(125,710	)	$	—		$	—
	Foreign Currency Translation
	Balance at beginning of period	$	(1,189	)	$	4,959		$	(1,602	)	$	(469	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	(21,045		)	(6,151		)	(422		)	(917		)
	Balance at end of period	$	(22,234	)	$	(1,192	)	$	(2,024	)	$	(1,386	)
	The reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss are included in the computation of net periodic pension and other post-retirement benefit costs (see Note 14—Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits).

Capital_Stock

Capital Stock	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Capital Stock	'
	Capital Stock
	Preferred Stock - The Company has authorized 100,000 shares of $50 par value 4.5% cumulative preferred nonvoting stock which is callable at $52.50. There are 71,373 shares issued and 52,878 shares held in treasury at September 30, 2014. There were no treasury purchases of preferred stock during the quarter or nine months ended September 30, 2014. The Company has also authorized 1,000,000 shares of $10 par value second cumulative preferred voting stock. No shares have been issued as of September 30, 2014.
	Common Stock - The Company has authorized 180,000,000 shares of no par value common stock. There were 37,439,243 and 37,202,099 shares outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	Stock Compensation Trust - The MSA Safety Incorporated Stock Compensation Trust was established to provide shares for certain benefit plans, including the management equity incentive plan. Shares held by the Stock Compensation Trust and the corresponding cost of those shares, were reported as a reduction of common shares issued. Differences between the cost of the shares held by the Stock Compensation Trust and the market value of shares released for stock-related benefits were reflected in common stock issued. The Stock Compensation Trust was depleted at September 30, 2014 and the Company now issues common stock from Treasury Shares. There were 303,668 Stock Compensation Trust shares available at December 31, 2013.
	Treasury Shares - In November 2005, the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to $100.0 million of MSA common stock either through private transactions or open market transactions. The share purchase program has no expiration date. The maximum shares that may be purchased is calculated based on the dollars remaining under the program and the respective month-end closing share price. We do not have any other share purchase programs. There were 24,642,148 and 24,575,624 Treasury Shares at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	The Company began issuing Treasury Shares for all Board of Director share based benefit plans in April, 2014. The Company subsequently began issuing Treasury Shares for all share based benefit plans when the stock compensation trust was depleted in September 2014. Shares are issued from Treasury at the average Treasury Share cost on the date of the transaction. There were 39,711 Treasury Shares issued for these purposes during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	Segment Information
	We are organized into nine geographic operating segments based on management responsibilities. The operating segments have been aggregated (based on economic similarities, the nature of their products, end-user markets and methods of distribution) into three reportable segments: North America, Europe, and International.
	The Company's sales are allocated to each country based primarily on the destination of the end-customer. Effective January 1, 2014, the General Monitors business has been fully integrated into MSA. As such, sales made by General Monitors companies now follow a similar allocation methodology by which sales are allocated to each country based on the destination of the end-customer and based on the value added to that order. In prior years, sales made by General Monitors companies were reported as domestic sales based on the country from which the product was shipped. The 2013 results presented below have been restated to reflect this change in allocation methodology.
	Reportable segment information is presented in the following table:
	(In thousands)	North		Europe		International		Reconciling			Consolidated
		America						Items			Totals
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Sales to external customers	$	131,844	$	75,785	$	67,530	$	—		$	275,159
	Intercompany sales	28,654		24,424		4,050		(57,128		)	—
	Net income:
	Continuing operations	18,018		2,587		2,821		(4,752		)	18,674
	Discontinued operations	—		—		631		—			631
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Sales to external customers	$	400,147	$	229,606	$	192,944	$	—		$	822,697
	Intercompany sales	87,247		81,520		12,688		(181,455		)	—
	Net income:
	Continuing operations	49,658		13,027		9,040		(17,397		)	54,328
	Discontinued operations	—		—		1,491		—			1,491
	(In thousands)	North		Europe		International		Reconciling			Consolidated
		America						Items			Totals
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Sales to external customers	$	130,919	$	66,360	$	67,605	$	—		$	264,884
	Intercompany sales	30,696		23,566		6,581		(60,843		)	—
	Net income:
	Continuing operations	17,001		3,141		5,004		(6,159		)	18,987
	Discontinued operations	—		—		514					514
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Sales to external customers	$	402,539	$	207,480	$	210,610	$	—		$	820,629
	Intercompany sales	91,037		71,235		17,497		(179,769		)	—
	Net income:
	Continuing operations	46,638		11,734		20,570		(18,013		)	60,929
	Discontinued operations	—		—		1,907		—			1,907
	Reconciling items consist primarily of intercompany eliminations and items reported at the corporate level.

Earnings_per_Share

Earnings per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings per Share	'
	Earnings per Share
	Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income, after the deduction of preferred stock dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities, by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share assumes the issuance of common stock for all potentially dilutive share equivalents outstanding not classified as participating securities. Participating securities are defined as unvested stock-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends.
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Net income attributable to continuing operations	$	18,674		$	18,987		$	54,328		$	60,929
	Preferred stock dividends	(10		)	(10		)	(30		)	(30		)
	Income from continuing operations available to common equity	18,664			18,977			54,298			60,899
	Dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	(115		)	(134		)	(342		)	(471		)
	Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders	18,549			18,843			53,956			60,428
	Net income attributable to discontinued operations	$	631		$	514		$	1,491		$	1,907
	Preferred stock dividends	—			—			—			—
	Income from discontinued operations available to common equity	631			514			1,491			1,907
	Dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	(4		)	(4		)	(9		)	(15		)
	Income from discontinued operations available to common shareholders	627			510			1,482			1,892
	Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	37,187			36,915			37,111			36,845
	Stock options and other stock compensation	597			592			597			593
	Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	37,784			37,507			37,708			37,438
	Antidilutive stock options	—			—			—			—
	Earnings per share attributable to continuing operations:
	Basic	$0.50			$0.51			$1.45			$1.64
	Diluted	$0.49			$0.51			$1.43			$1.61
	Earnings per share attributable to discontinued operations:
	Basic	$0.02			$0.01			$0.04			$0.05
	Diluted	$0.02			$0.01			$0.04			$0.05

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2014 and 2013 was 32.1% and 29.5%, respectively. The rate for the third quarter of 2014 differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to tax benefits of earnings in low tax foreign jurisdictions. The rate for the third quarter of 2013 differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the one-time benefit from the recognition of the 2012 research and development tax credit as well as tax benefits of earning income in low tax foreign jurisdictions.
	The effective tax rate for the nine month periods of 2014 and 2013 was 32.6% and 29.0%, respectively. The rate for the nine month period of 2014 differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to tax benefits of earning income in low tax foreign jurisdictions. The rate for the nine month period of 2013 differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the one-time benefit from the recognition of the 2012 research and development tax credit as well as tax benefits of earning income in low tax foreign jurisdictions.
	At September 30, 2014, we had a gross liability for unrecognized tax benefit of $9.5 million. We have recognized tax benefits associated with these liabilities of $5.1 million at September 30, 2014. The balance of the gross liability reflects a new amount associated with a foreign tax exposure. This amount is offset by an equal deferred tax asset for the foreign tax credits associated with the exposure.
	We recognize interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in operating expenses. Our liability for accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions was $0.9 million at September 30, 2014.

Stock_Plans

Stock Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock Plans	'
	Stock Plans
	The 2008 Management Equity Incentive Plan provides for various forms of stock-based compensation for eligible employees through May 2018. Management stock-based compensation includes stock options, restricted stock, and performance stock units. The 2008 Non-Employee Directors’ Equity Incentive Plan provides for grants of stock options and restricted stock to non-employee directors through May 2018. Stock options are granted at market value option prices and expire after ten years. Stock options are exercisable beginning three years after the grant date. Restricted stock is granted without payment to the company and generally vests three years after the grant date. Restricted stock is valued at the market value of the stock on the grant date. Performance stock units with a market condition are valued at an estimated fair value using a Monte Carlo model. The final number of shares to be issued for performance stock units may range from zero to 200% of the target award based on achieving the specified performance targets over the performance period. We issue Stock Compensation Trust shares or treasury shares for stock option exercises, restricted stock grants, and performance stock unit grants. Please refer to Note 7 for further information regarding stock compensation share issuance.
	Stock compensation expense is as follows:
			Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	(In thousands)		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Stock compensation expense		$	1,077		$	1,198	$	7,887	$	9,147
	Income tax benefit		381			432		2,871		3,380
	Stock compensation expense, net of income tax benefit		696			766		5,016		5,767
	Stock option expense is based on the fair value of stock option grants estimated on the grant dates using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the following weighted average assumptions for options granted in 2014.
		2014
	Fair value per option	$	17.26
	Risk-free interest rate	2.06		%
	Expected dividend yield	2.41		%
	Expected volatility	40.5		%
	Expected life (years)	6.6
	The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury Constant Maturity rates as of the grant date converted into an implied spot rate yield curve. Expected dividend yield is based on the most recent annualized dividend divided by the 1 year average closing share price. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility using daily stock prices. Expected life is based on historical stock option exercise data.
	A summary of stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 follows:
			Shares		Weighted Average
					Exercise Price
	Outstanding at January 1, 2014		1,695,380		$	34.55
	Granted		138,519		51.69
	Exercised		(176,937	)	36.59
	Forfeited		(23,524	)	38.82
	Expired		(1,071	)	45.68
	Outstanding at September 30, 2014		1,632,367		35.71
	Exercisable at September 30, 2014		1,161,518		31.64
	A summary of restricted stock activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 follows:
			Shares		Weighted Average
					Grant Date Fair Value
	Unvested at January 1, 2014		303,419		$	39.79
	Granted		83,343		51.91
	Vested		(107,824	)	34.89
	Forfeited		(9,408	)	44.35
	Unvested at September 30, 2014		269,530		45.34
	A summary of performance stock unit activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 follows:
			Shares		Weighted Average
					Grant Date Fair Value
	Unvested at January 1, 2014		149,389		$	46.32
	Granted		46,242		57.42
	Performance adjustments		41,428		39.42
	Vested		(91,696	)	39.19
	Forfeited		(1,402	)	48.85
	Unvested at September 30, 2014		143,961		52.42
	The performance adjustments above relate to the final number of shares issued for the 2011 Management Performance Units, which were 200% of the target award based on Total Shareholder Return during the three year performance period, and vested in the first quarter of 2014.

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-Term Debt	'
	Long-Term Debt
	(In thousands)	30-Sep-14		31-Dec-13
	Industrial development debt issues payable through 2022, 0.30%	$	—	$	4,000
	2006 Senior Notes payable through 2021, 5.41%	53,334		53,334
	2010 Senior Notes payable through 2021, 4.00%	100,000		100,000
	Senior revolving credit facility maturing in 2019	124,000		110,000
	Total	277,334		267,334
	Amounts due within one year	6,667		6,667
	Long-term debt	270,667		260,667
	The Company completed a legal Reorganization on March 7, 2014. The Company's existing debt agreements, including its senior revolving credit facility and note purchase agreements were revised to reflect the changes in the Company's legal structure.
	In connection with the legal Reorganization, the Company amended its unsecured senior revolving credit facility and extended the term of the facility until March 2019. The senior revolving facility provides for borrowings up to $300.0 million, with sub-limits for the issuance of letters of credit, swingline borrowings and foreign currency denominated borrowings; and may be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital, permitted acquisitions, capital expenditures and repayment of existing indebtedness. The credit agreement also allows the Company to request increases in the aggregate commitments of the lenders of up to an additional $150.0 million. Loans under the revolving facility will bear interest, at a variable rate based on LIBOR or the federal funds rate, at the Company's option. At September 30, 2014, $173.3 million of the $300.0 million senior revolving credit facility was unused including letters of credit.
	The Company also entered into a $175.0 million senior unsecured shelf facility with a bank. Under this agreement, the Company may request the bank to purchase additional senior notes from time to time prior to March 7, 2017. The Company would be required to pay the bank an issuance fee in addition to fees defined in the note purchase agreement upon issuance of additional senior notes.
	Effective June 2, 2014, The Company entered into an additional $100.0 million note facility with a bank. Under this agreement, the Company may issue senior notes to the bank from time to time prior to June 2, 2017. The Company would be required to pay fees defined in the master note agreement upon issuance of senior notes.
	The revolving credit facility and note purchase agreements require the Company to comply with specified financial covenants. In addition, the credit facility and the note purchase agreements contain negative covenants limiting the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to enter into specified transactions. The Company was in compliance with all covenants at September 30, 2014.
	The Company had outstanding bank guarantees and standby letters of credit with banks as of September 30, 2014 totaling $6.3 million, of which $2.7 million relate to the senior revolving credit facility. The letters of credit serve to cover customer requirements in connection with certain sales orders and insurance companies. No amounts were drawn on these arrangements at September 30, 2014. The Company is also required to provide cash collateral in connection with certain arrangements. At September 30, 2014, the Company has $2.3 million of restricted cash in support of these arrangements. At September 30, 2014, the Company also has a $4.1 million guarantee relating to voluntary retirement payments for its unionized workers in Germany.
	The Company redeemed $4.0 million of Industrial development debt in February 2014.

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	Changes in goodwill during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 are as follows:
	(In thousands)	Goodwill
	Balance at January 1	$	260,134
	Currency translation	(5,085		)
	Balance at September 30	255,049
	At September 30, 2014, goodwill of $196.5 million, $56.4 million, and $2.1 million related to the North American, European, and International reportable segments, respectively.
	Changes in intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 are as follows:
	(In thousands)	Intangible Assets
	Net balance at January 1	$	35,029
	Amortization expense	(2,769		)
	Currency translation	(351		)
	Net balance at September 30	31,909

Pensions_and_Other_Postretirem

Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits	'
	Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits
	Components of net periodic benefit cost consisted of the following:
		Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Three Months Ended September 30,
	Service cost	$	2,481		$	2,784		$	156		$	172
	Interest cost	4,891			4,468			299			262
	Expected return on plan assets	(8,251		)	(7,725		)	—			—
	Amortization of prior service cost	21			26			(84		)	(106		)
	Recognized net actuarial losses	2,203			3,325			83			137
	Settlements	57			—			—			—
	Net periodic benefit cost	1,402			2,878			454			465
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	Service cost	$	7,443		$	8,353		$	468		$	516
	Interest cost	14,673			13,404			897			787
	Expected return on plan assets	(24,753		)	(23,175		)	—			—
	Amortization of prior service cost	63			78			(252		)	(318		)
	Recognized net actuarial losses	6,609			9,979			249			413
	Settlements	171			—			—			—
	Net periodic benefit cost	4,206			8,639			1,362			1,398
	We made contributions of $3.4 million to our pension plans during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. We expect to make total contributions of approximately $4.5 million to our pension plans in 2014.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
	Derivative Financial Instruments
	As part of our currency exchange rate risk management strategy, we may enter into certain derivative foreign currency forward contracts that do not meet the U.S. GAAP criteria for hedge accounting, but which have the impact of partially offsetting certain foreign currency exposures. We account for these forward contracts at fair value and report the related gains or losses in currency exchange gains or losses. The notional amount of open forward contracts was $60.9 million and $54.5 million, with an unrealized loss on these contracts of $0.6 million and an unrealized gain of $0.3 million at September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	The following table presents the balance sheet location and fair value of assets associated with derivative financial instruments:
	(In thousands)	30-Sep-14				31-Dec-13
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign exchange contracts: Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	(607	)		$	1,308
	The following table presents the income statement location and impact of derivative financial instruments:
				Loss
				Recognized in Income
				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	(In thousands)	Income Statement		2014				2013
		Location
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign exchange contracts	Currency exchange losses, net		$	2,060			$	233

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	Fair Value Measurements
	Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels, which gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:
	•	Level 1—Observable inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
	•	Level 2—Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.
	•	Level 3—Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.
	The valuation methodologies we used to measure financial assets and liabilities were limited to the derivative financial instruments described in Note 15. We estimate the fair value of the derivative financial instruments, consisting of foreign currency forward contracts, based upon valuation models with inputs that generally can be verified by observable market conditions and do not involve significant management judgment. Accordingly, the fair values of the derivative financial instruments are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
	With the exception of fixed rate long-term debt, we believe that the reported carrying amounts of our financial assets and liabilities approximate their fair values. The reported carrying amount of our fixed rate long-term debt (including the current portion) was $153.3 million and $160.0 million at September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The fair value of this debt was $162.7 million and $167.1 million at September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The fair value of our long-term debt was determined using cash flow valuation models to estimate the market value of similar instruments as of the respective balance sheet dates. The fair value of this debt was determined using Level 2 inputs as described above.

Contingencies

Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Contingencies	'
	Contingencies
	We categorize the product liability losses that our various subsidiaries experience into two main categories: single incident and cumulative trauma. Single incident product liability claims are discrete incidents that are typically known to us when they occur and involve observable injuries and, therefore, more quantifiable damages. Therefore, MSA LLC, a subsidiary of MSA Safety, Inc. (formerly Mine Safety Appliances Company), maintains a reserve for single incident product liability claims based on expected settlement costs for pending claims and an estimate of costs for unreported claims derived from experience, sales volumes and other relevant information. This reserve for single incident product liability claims was $3.5 million at September 30, 2014 and $4.0 million at December 31, 2013. Single incident product liability expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013 was not significant. Subsidiaries single incident product liability exposures are evaluated on an ongoing basis and adjustments are made to the reserve as new information becomes available.
	Cumulative trauma product liability claims involve exposures to harmful substances (e.g., silica, asbestos and coal dust) that occurred many years ago and may have developed over long periods of time into diseases such as silicosis, asbestosis or coal worker’s pneumoconiosis. MSA LLC, a subsidiary of MSA Safety, Inc. (formerly Mine Safety Appliances Company), is presently named as a defendant in 3,096 lawsuits in which plaintiffs allege to have contracted certain cumulative trauma diseases related to exposure to silica, asbestos, and/or coal dust. These lawsuits mainly involve respiratory protection products allegedly manufactured and sold by MSA LLC or its predecessors. MSA LLC are unable to estimate total damages sought in these lawsuits as they generally do not specify the injuries alleged or the amount of damages sought, and potentially involve multiple defendants.
	MSA LLC regularly assesses opportunities to mitigate its product liability risk.
	Cumulative trauma product liability litigation is difficult to predict. In our experience, until late in a lawsuit, we cannot reasonably determine whether it is probable that any of MSA LLC's cumulative trauma lawsuits will ultimately result in a liability. This uncertainty is caused by many factors, including the following: cumulative trauma complaints generally do not provide information sufficient to determine if a loss is probable; cumulative trauma litigation is inherently unpredictable and information is often insufficient to determine if a lawsuit will develop into an actively litigated case; and even when a case is actively litigated, it is often difficult to determine if the lawsuit will be dismissed or otherwise resolved until late in the lawsuit. Moreover, even once it is probable that such a lawsuit will result in a loss, it is difficult to reasonably estimate the amount of actual loss that will be incurred. These amounts are highly variable and turn on a case-by-case analysis of the relevant facts, which are often not learned until late in the lawsuit.
	Because of these factors, MSA LLC's potential liability for such claims cannot be reliably determined until late in the lawsuit. MSA LLC, therefore, does not record cumulative trauma product liability losses when a lawsuit is filed, but rather, when it learns sufficient information to determine that it is probable that we will incur a loss and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. MSA LLC records expenses for defense costs associated with open cumulative trauma product liability lawsuits as incurred.
	Any amount or range of possible losses related to MSA LLC's resolution of pending and future cumulative trauma product liability claims that it may face, cannot be estimated because of the factors described above. As new information about cumulative trauma product liability cases and future developments becomes available, MSA LLC's potential exposures are reassessed.
	A summary of cumulative trauma product liability lawsuit activity follows:
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014			Year Ended December 31, 2013
	Open lawsuits, beginning of period	2,840			2,609
	New lawsuits	437			489
	Settled and dismissed lawsuits	(181	)		(258	)
	Open lawsuits, end of period	3,096			2,840
	Nearly half of the open lawsuits at September 30, 2014 have had a de minimus level of activity over the last 5 years. It is possible that these cases could become active again at any point due to changes in circumstances.
	With some common contract exclusions, we maintain insurance for cumulative trauma product liability claims. We have purchased insurance policies for the policy years from 1952-1986 from over 20 different insurance carriers that provide coverage for cumulative trauma product liability losses, and in many instances, related defense costs (the "Occurrence-Based Policies"). In the normal course of business, we make payments to settle product liability claims and for related defense costs. We record receivables for the amounts that are covered by insurance. Since December 31, 2013, the insurance receivable increased by $22.9 million as a result of these settlements and defense costs.
	The available limits of these policies are many times our recorded insurance receivable balance.
	Various factors could affect the timing and amount of recovery of our insurance receivables, including the outcome of negotiations with insurers, legal proceedings with respect to product liability insurance coverage and the extent to which insurers may become insolvent in the future.
	Our insurance receivables at September 30, 2014 totaled $147.7 million, of which $2.0 million is reported in other current assets and $145.7 million in other non-current assets. Our insurance receivables at December 31, 2013 totaled $124.8 million, all of which is reported in other non-current assets.
	A summary of insurance receivable balances and activity related to cumulative trauma product liability losses follows:
	(In millions)	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014				Year Ended December 31, 2013
	Balance beginning of period	$	124.8			$	130
	Additions	25.1				34
	Collections and settlements	(2.2		)		(39.2		)
	Balance end of period	147.7				124.8
	Additions to insurance receivables in the above table represent insured cumulative trauma product liability losses and related defense costs. Uninsured cumulative trauma product liability losses during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were $2.3 million and $1.4 million, respectively. Collections primarily represent agreements with insurance companies to pay amounts due that are applicable to cumulative trauma claims. In cases where the payment stream covers multiple years, the present value of the payments is recorded as a note receivable (current and long term) in the balance sheet within prepaid expenses and other current assets and other noncurrent assets.
	Our aggregate cumulative trauma product liability losses and administrative and defense costs for the three years ended December 31, 2013, totaled approximately $104.2 million, substantially all of which was insured.
	MSA LLC believes that the increase in its insurance receivable balance that it has experienced since 2005 is primarily due to disagreements among its insurance carriers, and consequently with MSA LLC, as to when their individual obligations to pay us are triggered and the amount of each insurer’s obligation, as compared to other insurers. MSA LLC believes that its insurers do not contest that they have issued policies to our subsidiaries or that these policies cover cumulative trauma product liability claims. We believe that successful resolution of insurance litigation with various insurance carriers in recent years demonstrates that we have strong legal positions concerning MSA LLC's rights to coverage.
	The collectability of MSA LLC's insurance receivables is regularly evaluated and the amounts recorded are probable of collection. These conclusions are based on analysis of the terms of the underlying insurance policies, experience in successfully recovering cumulative trauma product liability claims from our insurers under other policies, the financial ability of the insurance carriers to pay the claims, understanding and interpretation of the relevant facts and applicable law and the advice of MSA LLC's legal counsel, who believe that the insurers are required to provide coverage based on the terms of the policies.
	Although it is impossible to predict the ultimate outcome of current open claims, based on current information, our experience in handling these matters, and our substantial insurance program, we do not believe that these claims will have a material adverse effect on our future financial condition or liquidity.
	The Company regularly reviews MSA LLC's cumulative trauma product liability claims to determine if the liability for such claims is probable and estimable. Our cumulative claims experience, including recent claims trends, and the development of enhanced data analytics have led us to undertake a review with the assistance of a third party advisor. This review, anticipated to be completed in late 2014 or early 2015, employs new methods for analyzing and evaluating the claims in order to help us assess whether a reasonable estimate of the liability for these claims and associated costs can be made.
	It is possible that the estimated costs of these claims, net of expected insurance recoveries, may be material to our results of operations in the period when recorded.
	MSA LLC is currently involved in insurance coverage litigations with a number of our insurance carriers regarding its Occurrence-Based Policies.
	In 2009, MSA LLC (as Mine Safety Appliances Company) sued The North River Insurance Company (North River) in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, alleging that North River breached one of its insurance policies by failing to pay amounts owed to MSA LLC and that it engaged in bad-faith claims handling. MSA LLC believes that North River’s refusal to indemnify it under the policy for product liability losses and legal fees paid by MSA LLC is wholly contrary to Pennsylvania law and MSA LLC is vigorously pursuing the legal actions necessary to collect all due amounts. Motions for summary judgment on certain issues will be submitted to the court at the earliest possible date. A trial date has not yet been scheduled.
	In 2010, North River sued MSA LLC (as Mine Safety Appliances Company) in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania seeking a declaratory judgment concerning their responsibilities under three additional policies. MSA LLC asserted claims against North River for breaches of contract for failures to pay amounts owed to MSA LLC. MSA LLC also allege that North River engaged in bad-faith claims handling. MSA LLC believes that North River’s refusal to indemnify us under these policies for product liability losses and legal fees paid by MSA LLC is wholly contrary to Pennsylvania law and MSA LLC is vigorously pursuing the legal actions necessary to collect all due amounts. Summary judgment on certain issues is pending with the court. A trial date has not yet been scheduled.
	In July 2010, MSA LLC (as Mine Safety Appliances Company) filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court of the State of Delaware seeking declaratory and other relief from the majority of its excess insurance carriers concerning the future rights and obligations of MSA LLC and its excess insurance carriers under various insurance policies. The reason for this insurance coverage action is to secure a comprehensive resolution of its rights under the insurance policies issued by the insurers. The case is currently in discovery.
	MSA LLC has resolved claims against certain of its insurance carriers on some of their policies, including the Occurrence-Based Policies through negotiated settlements. When a settlement is reached, MSA LLC dismisses the settling carrier from relevant above noted lawsuit(s). Assuming satisfactory resolution, once disputes are resolved with each of the remaining carriers responsible for the Occurrence-Based Policies, MSA LLC anticipates having commitments to provide future payment streams which should be sufficient to satisfy its current receivables due from insurance carriers. In addition, MSA LLC likely will retain some coverage through coverage-in-place agreements, although that coverage may not be immediately accessible. When these insurance coverage matters are fully resolved, MSA LLC (and its coverage-in-place carriers, where applicable) will be responsible for expenses related to cumulative trauma product liability claims.

Assets_Held_for_Sale_and_Disco

Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations [Abstract]	'
Assets Held for Sale	'
	Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations
	Assets Held for Sale - In September 2013, the Company entered into an agreement to sell the detector tube assets. The transaction closed in January, 2014. In addition to the asset sale agreement, the Company entered into transitional manufacturing and sales agreements with the buyer. Under the terms of the transitional agreements, the Company continued to manufacture and sell detector tubes on behalf of the buyer through August, 2014. The gain on the transaction of approximately $2.3 million will be recognized in 2014, when the buyer assumes ownership of the detector tube assets.
	Certain assets related to detector tube manufacturing are classified as held for sale at September 30, 2014. These assets are reported in the following balance sheet lines:
	(In millions)	30-Sep-14
	Inventory, net of reserve	$	1.8
	Property, net of depreciation	0.2
	Total assets	2
	Discontinued Operations - The Company is actively negotiating the sale of substantially all of the assets and liabilities of its South African personal protective equipment distribution business and its Zambian operations. Management has deemed it probable that the sale of these assets and liabilities will close within the next twelve months. The operations of this business qualify as a component of an entity under FASB ASC 205-20 "Presentation of Financial Statements - Discontinued Operations", and thus the operations have been reclassified as discontinued operations and prior periods have been reclassified to conform to this presentation. Management does not believe the assets associated with the South African distribution business or the Zambian operations are impaired at September 30, 2014.
	Summarized financial information for discontinued operations is as follows:
			Three Months Ended September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
	(In thousands)		2014			2013				2014				2013
	Discontinued Operations
	Net sales		$	14,645		$	13,361			$	35,294			$	40,550
	Other income (loss), net		26			(28		)		54				22
	Cost and expenses:
	Cost of products sold		12,007			10,570				28,158				31,466
	Selling, general and administrative		1,637			1,922				4,796				5,822
	Currency exchange losses (gains), net		6			(102		)		(63		)		(303		)
	Income from discontinued operations before income taxes		1,021			943				2,457				3,587
	Provision for income taxes		256			300				625				1,140
	Income from discontinued operations, net of tax		765			643				1,832				2,447
	Certain balance sheet items are related to the Company's South African personal protective equipment distribution business and its Zambian operations are reported as discontinued operations. These items are reported in the following balance sheet lines:
	(In thousands)	30-Sep-14			31-Dec-13
	Discontinued Operations assets and liabilities
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,538		$	2,980
	Trade receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts	8,162			7,452
	Inventories	11,112			11,359
	Net property	281			317
	Other assets	778			1,326
	Total assets	21,871			23,434
	Accounts payable	3,965			5,447
	Accrued and other liabilities	1,535			930
	Total liabilities	5,500			6,377
	Net assets	16,371			17,057
	The following summary provides financial information for discontinued operations related to net loss (income) related to noncontrolling interests:
		Three Months Ended  September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
	(In thousands)	2014			2013				2014				2013
	Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests
	Loss from continuing operations	$	234		$	453			$	543			$	413
	(Income) from discontinued operations	(134		)	(129		)		(341		)		(540		)
	Net loss (income)	100			324				202				(127		)

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Inventories	'
	(In thousands)	30-Sep-14		31-Dec-13
	Finished products	$	78,650	$	74,466
	Work in process	10,798		8,108
	Raw materials and supplies	55,769		54,263
	Total inventories	145,217		136,837

Restructuring_and_Other_Charge1

Restructuring and Other Charges Restructuring and Related Activities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Restructuring and Related Costs	'
	Activity and reserve balances for restructuring charges by segment were as follows:
	(in millions)	North America			Europe			International			Total
	Reserve balances at December 31, 2012	$	0.3		$	2.5		$	0.2		$	3
	Cash payments	(0.3		)	(3.8		)	(2.5		)	(6.6		)
	Restructuring charges	—			3			2.3			5.3
	Reserve balances at December 31, 2013	$	—		$	1.7		$	—		$	1.7
	Cash payments	—			(1.7		)	(1.6		)	(3.3		)
	Restructuring charges	—			4.5			1.9			6.4
	Reserve balances at September 30, 2014	$	—		$	4.5		$	0.3		$	4.8

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_T

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	(In thousands)	30-Sep-14			31-Dec-13
	Land	$	3,634		$	3,835
	Buildings	110,412			110,534
	Machinery and equipment	355,999			349,667
	Construction in progress	19,707			16,364
	Total	489,752			480,400
	Less accumulated depreciation	(337,375		)	(327,645		)
	Net property	152,377			152,755

Reclassifications_Out_of_Accum1

Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Reclassification of Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Plan Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	'
	The changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by component were as follows:
		MSA Safety Incorporated						Noncontrolling Interests
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Three Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Pension and other postretirement benefits
	Balance at beginning of period	$	(72,780	)	$	(127,817	)	$	—		$	—
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss:
	Amortization of prior service cost	(63		)	(80		)	—			—
	Recognized net actuarial losses	2,286			3,462			—			—
	Tax benefit	(805		)	(1,275		)	—			—
	Total amount reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	1,418			2,107			—			—
	Balance at end of period	$	(71,362	)	$	(125,710	)	$	—		$	—
	Foreign Currency Translation
	Balance at beginning of period	$	(1,951	)	$	(7,346	)	$	(1,744	)	$	(1,390	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	(20,283		)	6,154			(280		)	4
	Balance at end of period	$	(22,234	)	$	(1,192	)	$	(2,024	)	$	(1,386	)
		MSA Safety Incorporated						Noncontrolling Interests
		Nine Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Pension and other postretirement benefits
	Balance at beginning of period	$	(77,080	)	$	(132,031	)	$	—		$	—
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss:
	Amortization of prior service cost	(189		)	(240		)	—			—
	Recognized net actuarial losses	9,146			10,392			—			—
	Tax benefit	(3,239		)	(3,831		)	—			—
	Total amount reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	5,718			6,321			—			—
	Balance at end of period	$	(71,362	)	$	(125,710	)	$	—		$	—
	Foreign Currency Translation
	Balance at beginning of period	$	(1,189	)	$	4,959		$	(1,602	)	$	(469	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	(21,045		)	(6,151		)	(422		)	(917		)
	Balance at end of period	$	(22,234	)	$	(1,192	)	$	(2,024	)	$	(1,386	)

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Reportable Segment Information	'
	Reportable segment information is presented in the following table:
	(In thousands)	North		Europe		International		Reconciling			Consolidated
		America						Items			Totals
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Sales to external customers	$	131,844	$	75,785	$	67,530	$	—		$	275,159
	Intercompany sales	28,654		24,424		4,050		(57,128		)	—
	Net income:
	Continuing operations	18,018		2,587		2,821		(4,752		)	18,674
	Discontinued operations	—		—		631		—			631
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Sales to external customers	$	400,147	$	229,606	$	192,944	$	—		$	822,697
	Intercompany sales	87,247		81,520		12,688		(181,455		)	—
	Net income:
	Continuing operations	49,658		13,027		9,040		(17,397		)	54,328
	Discontinued operations	—		—		1,491		—			1,491
	(In thousands)	North		Europe		International		Reconciling			Consolidated
		America						Items			Totals
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Sales to external customers	$	130,919	$	66,360	$	67,605	$	—		$	264,884
	Intercompany sales	30,696		23,566		6,581		(60,843		)	—
	Net income:
	Continuing operations	17,001		3,141		5,004		(6,159		)	18,987
	Discontinued operations	—		—		514					514
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Sales to external customers	$	402,539	$	207,480	$	210,610	$	—		$	820,629
	Intercompany sales	91,037		71,235		17,497		(179,769		)	—
	Net income:
	Continuing operations	46,638		11,734		20,570		(18,013		)	60,929
	Discontinued operations	—		—		1,907		—			1,907

Earnings_per_Share_Tables

Earnings per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Earnings Per Share	'
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Net income attributable to continuing operations	$	18,674		$	18,987		$	54,328		$	60,929
	Preferred stock dividends	(10		)	(10		)	(30		)	(30		)
	Income from continuing operations available to common equity	18,664			18,977			54,298			60,899
	Dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	(115		)	(134		)	(342		)	(471		)
	Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders	18,549			18,843			53,956			60,428
	Net income attributable to discontinued operations	$	631		$	514		$	1,491		$	1,907
	Preferred stock dividends	—			—			—			—
	Income from discontinued operations available to common equity	631			514			1,491			1,907
	Dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	(4		)	(4		)	(9		)	(15		)
	Income from discontinued operations available to common shareholders	627			510			1,482			1,892
	Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	37,187			36,915			37,111			36,845
	Stock options and other stock compensation	597			592			597			593
	Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	37,784			37,507			37,708			37,438
	Antidilutive stock options	—			—			—			—
	Earnings per share attributable to continuing operations:
	Basic	$0.50			$0.51			$1.45			$1.64
	Diluted	$0.49			$0.51			$1.43			$1.61
	Earnings per share attributable to discontinued operations:
	Basic	$0.02			$0.01			$0.04			$0.05
	Diluted	$0.02			$0.01			$0.04			$0.05

Stock_Plans_Tables

Stock Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Stock Compensation Expense	'
	Stock compensation expense is as follows:
			Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	(In thousands)		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Stock compensation expense		$	1,077		$	1,198	$	7,887	$	9,147
	Income tax benefit		381			432		2,871		3,380
	Stock compensation expense, net of income tax benefit		696			766		5,016		5,767
Schedule of Valuation Assumptions	'
	Stock option expense is based on the fair value of stock option grants estimated on the grant dates using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the following weighted average assumptions for options granted in 2014.
		2014
	Fair value per option	$	17.26
	Risk-free interest rate	2.06		%
	Expected dividend yield	2.41		%
	Expected volatility	40.5		%
	Expected life (years)	6.6
Summary of Stock Option Activity	'
	A summary of stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 follows:
			Shares		Weighted Average
					Exercise Price
	Outstanding at January 1, 2014		1,695,380		$	34.55
	Granted		138,519		51.69
	Exercised		(176,937	)	36.59
	Forfeited		(23,524	)	38.82
	Expired		(1,071	)	45.68
	Outstanding at September 30, 2014		1,632,367		35.71
	Exercisable at September 30, 2014		1,161,518		31.64
Summary of Restricted Stock Activity	'
	A summary of restricted stock activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 follows:
			Shares		Weighted Average
					Grant Date Fair Value
	Unvested at January 1, 2014		303,419		$	39.79
	Granted		83,343		51.91
	Vested		(107,824	)	34.89
	Forfeited		(9,408	)	44.35
	Unvested at September 30, 2014		269,530		45.34
Summary of Performance Stock Unit Activity	'
	A summary of performance stock unit activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 follows:
			Shares		Weighted Average
					Grant Date Fair Value
	Unvested at January 1, 2014		149,389		$	46.32
	Granted		46,242		57.42
	Performance adjustments		41,428		39.42
	Vested		(91,696	)	39.19
	Forfeited		(1,402	)	48.85
	Unvested at September 30, 2014		143,961		52.42

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Debt	'
	(In thousands)	30-Sep-14		31-Dec-13
	Industrial development debt issues payable through 2022, 0.30%	$	—	$	4,000
	2006 Senior Notes payable through 2021, 5.41%	53,334		53,334
	2010 Senior Notes payable through 2021, 4.00%	100,000		100,000
	Senior revolving credit facility maturing in 2019	124,000		110,000
	Total	277,334		267,334
	Amounts due within one year	6,667		6,667
	Long-term debt	270,667		260,667

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Changes in Goodwill	'
	Changes in goodwill during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 are as follows:
	(In thousands)	Goodwill
	Balance at January 1	$	260,134
	Currency translation	(5,085		)
	Balance at September 30	255,049
Changes in Intangible Assets, Net of Accumulated Amortization	'
	Changes in intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 are as follows:
	(In thousands)	Intangible Assets
	Net balance at January 1	$	35,029
	Amortization expense	(2,769		)
	Currency translation	(351		)
	Net balance at September 30	31,909

Pensions_and_Other_Postretirem1

Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost	'
	Components of net periodic benefit cost consisted of the following:
		Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Three Months Ended September 30,
	Service cost	$	2,481		$	2,784		$	156		$	172
	Interest cost	4,891			4,468			299			262
	Expected return on plan assets	(8,251		)	(7,725		)	—			—
	Amortization of prior service cost	21			26			(84		)	(106		)
	Recognized net actuarial losses	2,203			3,325			83			137
	Settlements	57			—			—			—
	Net periodic benefit cost	1,402			2,878			454			465
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	Service cost	$	7,443		$	8,353		$	468		$	516
	Interest cost	14,673			13,404			897			787
	Expected return on plan assets	(24,753		)	(23,175		)	—			—
	Amortization of prior service cost	63			78			(252		)	(318		)
	Recognized net actuarial losses	6,609			9,979			249			413
	Settlements	171			—			—			—
	Net periodic benefit cost	4,206			8,639			1,362			1,398

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen1

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Balance Sheet Location and Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Associated with Derivative Financial Instruments	'
	The following table presents the balance sheet location and fair value of assets associated with derivative financial instruments:
	(In thousands)	30-Sep-14				31-Dec-13
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign exchange contracts: Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	(607	)		$	1,308
Income Statement Location and Impact of Derivative Financial Instruments	'
	The following table presents the income statement location and impact of derivative financial instruments:
				Loss
				Recognized in Income
				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	(In thousands)	Income Statement		2014				2013
		Location
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign exchange contracts	Currency exchange losses, net		$	2,060			$	233

Contingencies_Tables

Contingencies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of Cumulative Trauma Product Liability Claims Activity	'
	A summary of cumulative trauma product liability lawsuit activity follows:
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014			Year Ended December 31, 2013
	Open lawsuits, beginning of period	2,840			2,609
	New lawsuits	437			489
	Settled and dismissed lawsuits	(181	)		(258	)
	Open lawsuits, end of period	3,096			2,840
Summary of Insurance Receivable Balances and Activity Related to Cumulative Trauma Product Liability Losses	'
	A summary of insurance receivable balances and activity related to cumulative trauma product liability losses follows:
	(In millions)	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014				Year Ended December 31, 2013
	Balance beginning of period	$	124.8			$	130
	Additions	25.1				34
	Collections and settlements	(2.2		)		(39.2		)
	Balance end of period	147.7				124.8

Assets_Held_for_Sale_and_Disco1

Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Assets Held for Sale	'
	Certain assets related to detector tube manufacturing are classified as held for sale at September 30, 2014. These assets are reported in the following balance sheet lines:
	(In millions)	30-Sep-14
	Inventory, net of reserve	$	1.8
	Property, net of depreciation	0.2
	Total assets	2
Schedule of Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures	'
	Summarized financial information for discontinued operations is as follows:
			Three Months Ended September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
	(In thousands)		2014			2013				2014				2013
	Discontinued Operations
	Net sales		$	14,645		$	13,361			$	35,294			$	40,550
	Other income (loss), net		26			(28		)		54				22
	Cost and expenses:
	Cost of products sold		12,007			10,570				28,158				31,466
	Selling, general and administrative		1,637			1,922				4,796				5,822
	Currency exchange losses (gains), net		6			(102		)		(63		)		(303		)
	Income from discontinued operations before income taxes		1,021			943				2,457				3,587
	Provision for income taxes		256			300				625				1,140
	Income from discontinued operations, net of tax		765			643				1,832				2,447
	Certain balance sheet items are related to the Company's South African personal protective equipment distribution business and its Zambian operations are reported as discontinued operations. These items are reported in the following balance sheet lines:
	(In thousands)	30-Sep-14			31-Dec-13
	Discontinued Operations assets and liabilities
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,538		$	2,980
	Trade receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts	8,162			7,452
	Inventories	11,112			11,359
	Net property	281			317
	Other assets	778			1,326
	Total assets	21,871			23,434
	Accounts payable	3,965			5,447
	Accrued and other liabilities	1,535			930
	Total liabilities	5,500			6,377
	Net assets	16,371			17,057
	The following summary provides financial information for discontinued operations related to net loss (income) related to noncontrolling interests:
		Three Months Ended  September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
	(In thousands)	2014			2013				2014				2013
	Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests
	Loss from continuing operations	$	234		$	453			$	543			$	413
	(Income) from discontinued operations	(134		)	(129		)		(341		)		(540		)
	Net loss (income)	100			324				202				(127		)

Schedule_of_Inventories_Detail

Schedule of Inventories (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Finished products	$78,650	$74,466
Work in process	10,798	8,108
Raw materials and supplies	55,769	54,263
Total inventories	$145,217	$136,837

Restructuring_and_Other_Charge2

Restructuring and Other Charges - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring and other charges, net of tax	$2,500,000	$1,100,000	$4,300,000	$2,800,000	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve, beginning balance	'	'	1,700,000	3,000,000	3,000,000
Cash payments	'	'	-3,300,000	'	-6,600,000
Restructuring charges	3,640,000	1,515,000	6,397,000	3,942,000	5,300,000
Restructuring Reserve, ending balance	4,800,000	'	4,800,000	'	1,700,000
North America	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve, beginning balance	'	'	0	300,000	300,000
Cash payments	'	'	0	'	-300,000
Restructuring charges	'	'	0	'	0
Restructuring Reserve, ending balance	0	'	0	'	0
Europe	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Severance costs	'	'	4,500,000	2,200,000	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve, beginning balance	'	'	1,700,000	2,500,000	2,500,000
Cash payments	'	'	-1,700,000	'	-3,800,000
Restructuring charges	3,000,000	1,100,000	4,500,000	'	3,000,000
Restructuring Reserve, ending balance	4,500,000	'	4,500,000	'	1,700,000
International	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Severance costs	'	'	1,900,000	1,700,000	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve, beginning balance	'	'	0	200,000	200,000
Cash payments	'	'	-1,600,000	'	-2,500,000
Restructuring charges	600,000	400,000	1,900,000	'	2,300,000
Restructuring Reserve, ending balance	$300,000	'	$300,000	'	$0

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_D

Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$489,752	$480,400
Less accumulated depreciation	-337,375	-327,645
Net property	152,377	152,755
Land	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	3,634	3,835
Building	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	110,412	110,534
Machinery and Equipment	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	355,999	349,667
Construction in Progress	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$19,707	$16,364

Reclassification_of_Pension_an

Reclassification of Pension and Post-retirement Benefit Plan Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Parent	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	($72,780)	($127,817)	($77,080)	($132,031)
Amortization of prior service cost	-63	-80	-189	-240
Recognized net actuarial losses	2,286	3,462	9,146	10,392
Tax benefit	-805	-1,275	-3,239	-3,831
Total amount reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	1,418	2,107	5,718	6,321
Balance at end of period	-71,362	-125,710	-71,362	-125,710
Balance at beginning of period	-1,951	-7,346	-1,189	4,959
Foreign currency translation adjustments, parent	-20,283	6,154	-21,045	-6,151
Balance at end of period	-22,234	-1,192	-22,234	-1,192
Noncontrolling Interest	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	-1,744	-1,390	-1,602	-469
Foreign currency translation adjustments, noncontrolling interest	-280	4	-422	-917
Balance at end of period	($2,024)	($1,386)	($2,024)	($1,386)

Capital_Stock_Details

Capital Stock (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2005	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
			Second Cumulative Preferred Voting Stock	Treasury Stock	Board of Directors	4 1/2% Cumulative Preferred Nonvoting Stock	4 1/2% Cumulative Preferred Nonvoting Stock
Capital Unit [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Preferred stock, shares authorized	'	'	1,000,000	'	'	100,000	100,000
Preferred stock, par value	'	'	$10	'	'	$50	$50
Percentage of cumulative preferred stock	'	'	'	'	'	4.50%	4.50%
Preferred stock, callable price per share	'	'	'	'	'	$52.50	$52.50
Preferred stock, shares issued	'	'	0	'	'	71,373	71,373
Treasury share, number of shares held	'	'	'	'	'	52,878	52,878
Purchase of treasury shares	'	'	'	'	'	$0	$0
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	180,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0	$0	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock, shares, outstanding	37,439,243	37,202,099	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock, shares, issued	'	303,668	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock, value, issued	'	'	'	'	$100,000,000	'	'
Treasury stock, shares	24,642,148	24,575,624	'	'	'	'	'
Reissued shares	'	'	'	39,711	'	'	'

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Number of geographic operating segments	9
Number of reportable segments	3

Schedule_of_Reportable_Segment

Schedule of Reportable Segment Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	$275,159	$264,884	$822,697	$820,629
Intercompany sales	0	0	0	0
Net income:	'	'	'	'
Continuing operations	18,674	18,987	54,328	60,929
Discontinued operations	631	514	1,491	1,907
North America	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	131,844	130,919	400,147	402,539
Intercompany sales	28,654	30,696	87,247	91,037
Net income:	'	'	'	'
Continuing operations	18,018	17,001	49,658	46,638
Discontinued operations	0	0	0	0
Europe	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	75,785	66,360	229,606	207,480
Intercompany sales	24,424	23,566	81,520	71,235
Net income:	'	'	'	'
Continuing operations	2,587	3,141	13,027	11,734
Discontinued operations	0	0	0	0
International	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	67,530	67,605	192,944	210,610
Intercompany sales	4,050	6,581	12,688	17,497
Net income:	'	'	'	'
Continuing operations	2,821	5,004	9,040	20,570
Discontinued operations	631	514	1,491	1,907
Reconciling Items	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	0	0	0	0
Intercompany sales	-57,128	-60,843	-181,455	-179,769
Net income:	'	'	'	'
Continuing operations	-4,752	-6,159	-17,397	-18,013
Discontinued operations	$0	'	$0	$0

Schedule_of_Earnings_Per_Share

Schedule of Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings per share attributable to MSA Safety Incorporated common shareholders:	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to continuing operations	$18,674	$18,987	$54,328	$60,929
Preferred stock dividends	-10	-10	-30	-30
Income from continuing operations available to common equity	18,664	18,977	54,298	60,899
Dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	-115	-134	-342	-471
Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders	18,549	18,843	53,956	60,428
Net income attributable to discontinued operations	631	514	1,491	1,907
Preferred stock dividends	0	0	0	0
Income from discontinued operations available to common equity	631	514	1,491	1,907
Dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	-4	-4	-9	-15
Income from discontinued operations available to common shareholders	$627	$510	$1,482	$1,892
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	37,187	36,915	37,111	36,845
Stock options and other stock compensation	597	592	597	593
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	37,784	37,507	37,708	37,438
Antidilutive stock options	0	0	0	0
Earnings per share attributable to continuing operations:	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations, basic (dollars per share)	$0.50	$0.51	$1.45	$1.64
Income from continuing operations, diluted (dollars per share)	$0.49	$0.51	$1.43	$1.61
Earnings per share attributable to discontinued operations:	'	'	'	'
Income from discontinued operations, basic (dollars per share)	$0.02	$0.01	$0.04	$0.05
Income from discontinued operations, diluted (dollars per share)	$0.02	$0.01	$0.04	$0.05

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Effective income tax rate	32.10%	29.50%	32.60%	29.00%
U.S. federal income tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Unrecognized tax benefits	$9.50	'	$9.50	'
Recognized tax benefits	5.1	'	5.1	'
Accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions	$0.90	'	$0.90	'

Stock_Plans_Additional_Informa

Stock Plans - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Stock options expiration period	'10 years
Stock options exercisable period after grant date	'3 years
Minimum	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Percentage of target award based on achieving specified performance targets	0.00%
Maximum	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Percentage of target award based on achieving specified performance targets	200.00%
Restricted Stock	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Vest period	'3 years

Stock_Plans_Schedule_of_Stock_

Stock Plans - Schedule of Stock Compensation Expense (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Stock compensation expense	$1,077	$1,198	$7,887	$9,147
Income tax benefit	381	432	2,871	3,380
Stock compensation expense, net of income tax benefit	$696	$766	$5,016	$5,767

Stock_Plans_Weighted_Average_R

Stock Plans - Weighted Average Risk Assumptions (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Fair value per option (dollars per share)	$17.26
Risk-free interest rate	2.06%
Expected dividend yield	2.41%
Expected volatility	40.50%
Expected life (years)	'6 years 7 months 6 days

Stock_Plans_Summary_of_Stock_O

Stock Plans - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'
Outstanding Beginning balance, Shares	1,695,380
Granted, Shares	138,519
Exercised, Shares	-176,937
Forfeited, Shares	-23,524
Expired, Shares	-1,071
Outstanding Ending balance, Shares	1,632,367
Exercisable Ending balance, Shares	1,161,518
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]	'
Outstanding Beginning balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$34.55
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$51.69
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$36.59
Forfeited, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$38.82
Expired, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$45.68
Outstanding Ending balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$35.71
Exercisable Ending balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$31.64

Stock_Plans_Summary_of_Restric

Stock Plans - Summary of Restricted Stock Activity (Detail) (Restricted Stock Activity, USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Restricted Stock Activity	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]	'
Unvested Shares, Beginning Balance	303,419
Granted, Shares	83,343
Vested, Shares	-107,824
Forfeited, Shares	-9,408
Unvested Shares, Ending Balance	269,530
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]	'
Unvested Weighted Average Grant Date Fair value, Beginning Balance	$39.79
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$51.91
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$34.89
Forfeited, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$44.35
Unvested Weighted Average Grant Date Fair value, Ending Balance	$45.34

Stock_Plans_Summary_of_Perform

Stock Plans - Summary of Performance Stock Unit Activity (Detail) (Performance Stock Unit Activity, USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Performance Stock Unit Activity	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'
Unvested Shares, Beginning Balance	149,389
Granted, Shares	46,242
Performance adjustments, Shares	41,428
Vested, Shares	-91,696
Forfeited, Shares	-1,402
Unvested Shares, Ending Balance	143,961
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]	'
Unvested Weighted Average Grant Date Fair value, Beginning Balance	$46.32
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$57.42
Performance adjustments, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$39.42
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$39.19
Forfeited, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$48.85
Unvested Weighted Average Grant Date Fair value, Ending Balance	$52.42

LongTerm_Debt_Details

Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Mar. 07, 2014	Feb. 28, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 02, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified			Industrial Development Debt Payable Through 2022, 0.30%	Revolving Credit Facility	Unspecified Arrangement	Senior Notes	Senior Notes
							Senior Note due June 2, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	'	$300	'	'	'	'	$100
Increase in the senior credit facility	'	150	'	'	'	'	'
Line of credit facility, remaining borrowing capacity	173.3	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt instrument, potential face amount	'	'	'	'	'	175	'
Letters of credit and bank guarantees outstanding, amount	6.3	'	'	2.7	'	'	'
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	'	'	'	'	2.3	'	'
Voluntary retirement payments guaranteed	4.1	'	'	'	'	'	'
Extinguishment of debt, amount	'	'	$4	'	'	'	'

LongTerm_Debt_Schedule_of_Debt

Long-Term Debt Schedule of Debt (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified				Industrial Development Debt Payable Through 2022, 0.30%	Industrial Development Debt Payable Through 2022, 0.30%	2006 Senior Notes Payable Through 2021, 5.41%	2006 Senior Notes Payable Through 2021, 5.41%	2010 Senior Notes Payable Through 2021, 4.00%	2010 Senior Notes Payable Through 2021, 4.00%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Senior Notes	$153,300	'	$160,000	'	'	$53,334	'	$100,000	'
Senior notes payable	'	'	'	'	'	'	53,334	'	100,000
Senior revolving credit facility maturing in 2019	124,000	110,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total	277,334	267,334	'	0	4,000	'	'	'	'
Amounts due within one year	6,667	6,667	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long-term debt	$270,667	$260,667	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt instruments maturity date	'	'	'	'2022	'2022	'2021	'2021	'2021	'2021
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage	'	'	'	0.30%	0.30%	5.41%	5.41%	4.00%	4.00%

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets2

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	$255,049	$260,134
North America	'	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	196,500	'
Europe	'	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	56,400	'
International	'	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	$2,100	'

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets3

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Changes in Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at January 1	$260,134
Currency translation	-5,085
Balance at September 30	$255,049

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets4

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Changes in Intangible Assets, Net of Accumulated Amortization (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]	'
Net balance at January 1	$35,029
Amortization expense	-2,769
Currency translation	-351
Net balance at September 30	$31,909

Pensions_and_Other_Postretirem2

Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Pension plans contributions	$3.40
Total pension plans contributions for the period	$4.50

Pensions_and_Other_Postretirem3

Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Pension Benefits	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	$2,481	$2,784	$7,443	$8,353
Interest cost	4,891	4,468	14,673	13,404
Expected return on plan assets	-8,251	-7,725	-24,753	-23,175
Amortization of prior service cost	21	26	63	78
Recognized net actuarial losses	2,203	3,325	6,609	9,979
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Settlements	57	0	171	0
Net periodic benefit cost	1,402	2,878	4,206	8,639
Other Benefits	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	156	172	468	516
Interest cost	299	262	897	787
Expected return on plan assets	0	0	0	0
Amortization of prior service cost	-84	-106	-252	-318
Recognized net actuarial losses	83	137	249	413
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Settlements	0	0	0	0
Net periodic benefit cost	$454	$465	$1,362	$1,398

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen2

Derivative Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) (Foreign exchange contract, USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Foreign exchange contract	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Notional amount of open forward contracts	$60.90	$54.50
Unrealized gain (loss) on contract	($0.60)	$0.30

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen3

Derivative Financial Instruments - Balance Sheet Location and Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Associated with Derivative Financial Instruments (Detail) (Foreign exchange contract, USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Foreign exchange contract	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Foreign exchange contracts: Prepaid expenses and other current assets	($607)	$1,308

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen4

Derivative Financial Instruments - Income Statement Location and Impact of Derivative Financial Instruments (Detail) (Derivatives Not Designated As Hedging Instruments, Foreign exchange contract, USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivatives Not Designated As Hedging Instruments | Foreign exchange contract	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Currency exchange losses, net	$2,060	$233

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'
Senior Notes	$153.30	$160
Fair value of long-term debt	$162.70	$167.10

Contingencies_Additional_Infor

Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended					9 Months Ended		36 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
	Vendor	LegalMatter	LegalMatter	Single Incident	Single Incident	Uninsured Cumulative Trauma	Uninsured Cumulative Trauma	Cumulative Trauma
	LegalMatter
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Reserves for product liability claims	'	'	'	$3.50	$4	'	'	'
Number of lawsuits	3,096	2,840	2,609	'	'	'	'	'
Loss contingency, pending claims, de minimus level of activity, period (in years)	'5 years	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of insurance carriers	20	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Increase in insurance settlements receivable	22.9	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Insurance receivables	147.7	124.8	130	'	'	'	'	'
Insurance receivables, current	2	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Insurance receivables, noncurrent	145.7	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Product liability expense	'	'	'	'	'	$2.30	$1.40	$104.20

Contingencies_Summary_of_Cumul

Contingencies - Summary of Cumulative Trauma Product Liability Claims Activity (Detail)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
	LegalMatter	LegalMatter
Loss Contingency, Quantities [Roll Forward]	'	'
Open lawsuits, beginning of period	2,840	2,609
New lawsuits	437	489
Settled and dismissed lawsuits	-181	-258
Open lawsuits, end of period	3,096	2,840

Contingencies_Summary_of_Insur

Contingencies - Summary of Insurance Receivable Balances and Activity Related to Cumulative Trauma Product Liability Losses (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Movement in Loss Contingency Receivable, Increase (Decrease) [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance beginning of period	$124.80	$130
Additions	25.1	34
Collections and settlements	-2.2	-39.2
Balance end of period	$147.70	$124.80

Assets_Held_for_Sale_and_Disco2

Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations - Schedule of Assets Held for Sale (Detail) (Detector Tube Assets, USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
		Scenario, Forecast
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale [Line Items]	'	'
Gain on disposition of assets	'	$2,300,000
Inventory, net of reserve	1,800,000	'
Property, net of depreciation	200,000	'
Total assets	$2,000,000	'

Assets_Held_for_Sale_and_Disco3

Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations, Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$765	$643	$1,832	$2,447
Zambian Operations	'	'	'	'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	14,645	13,361	35,294	40,550
Other income (loss), net	26	-28	54	22
Cost of products sold	12,007	10,570	28,158	31,466
Selling, general and administrative	1,637	1,922	4,796	5,822
Currency exchange losses (gains), net	6	-102	-63	-303
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes	1,021	943	2,457	3,587
Provision for income taxes	256	300	625	1,140
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$765	$643	$1,832	$2,447

Assets_Held_for_Sale_and_Disco4

Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations, Assets and Liabilities (Details) (Zambian Operations, USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Zambian Operations	'	'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$1,538	$2,980
Trade receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts	8,162	7,452
Inventories	11,112	11,359
Net property	281	317
Other assets	778	1,326
Total assets	21,871	23,434
Accounts payable	3,965	5,447
Accrued and other liabilities	1,535	930
Total liabilities	5,500	6,377
Net assets	$16,371	$17,057

Assets_Held_for_Sale_and_Disco5

Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations, Discontinued Operations Related to Net Loss (Income) Related to Noncontrolling Interest (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net loss (income)	$100	$324	$202	($127)
Zambian Operations	'	'	'	'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Loss from continuing operations	234	453	543	413
(Income) from discontinued operations	-134	-129	-341	-540
Net loss (income)	$100	$324	$202	($127)