Mine Safety Appliances (MSA) is a company that specializes in the manufacturing of safety equipment, including gas detection instruments, as well as other products such as fall protection gear, respirators, and helmets. The company was founded in 1914 by John T. Ryan Sr. and George H. Deike, who were concerned about the high number of fatalities occurring in mining operations due to gas explosions and other accidents. They set out to create innovative safety equipment that could help prevent these accidents and improve the safety of workers in dangerous environments.
One of MSA's earliest inventions was the "Protector Lamp," which was a safety lamp used by miners to detect dangerous gases such as methane and carbon monoxide. This lamp was one of the first gas detection instruments on the market, and it helped to save countless lives by warning miners of dangerous conditions.
Over the years, MSA continued to innovate and create new gas detection instruments, including the ALTAIR line of portable gas detectors, which are now widely used in a variety of industries to detect hazardous gases. The ALTAIR line includes instruments that can detect gases such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, oxygen, and combustible gases, and they are designed to be easy to use and highly accurate.
In addition to gas detection instruments, MSA has also developed other safety products that have had a significant impact on the industry. For example, the company's "V-Gard" line of helmets is widely used in construction and other industries to protect workers from head injuries. MSA also produces a range of fall protection equipment, including harnesses, lanyards, and self-retracting lifelines, which are used to prevent falls from heights.
MSA has been a major player in the safety equipment industry for over a century, and the company's innovative products have helped to improve the safety of workers in a wide range of industries. Their focus on research and development has allowed them to stay at the forefront of the industry, and they continue to create new and innovative safety products to this day.