Exhibit 23



                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (No. 33-22284), the Registration Statement of Form S-8
(No. 33-43696) and the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-51983) of
Mine Safety Appliances Company of our report dated February 21, 2003 relating to
the financial statements, which appears in the Annual Report to Shareholders,
which is incorporated in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We also consent to the
incorporation by reference of our report dated February 21, 2003 relating to the
Financial Statement Schedule, which appears in this Form 10-K.



/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
March 28, 2003